Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Books Recommended by Colorín Colorado
These are books written by some of today's most notable Hispanic and Latin American children's authors. There are poems, stories, traditional songs from Latin America, and much more.
You can find many of the books in your local library. These links to Amazon.com provide more information about each book. If you choose to buy a book over the Internet, part of the sale will support this project. Thank You!
Abuela
Rosalba imagines flying over New York City with her much loved abuela. The young girl uses a lovely mix of English and Spanish to describe their journey, moving from the busy streets of Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty. Brightly colored illustrations detail what Rosalba and her grandmother glimpse as they fly, and the rich tales of Abuela's memories. (Available in both English and Spanish).
Amelia's Road
This moving story opens with the line, "Amelia Luisa Martinez hated roads." For Amelia, all roads represent the impermanence of moving from one farm labor camp to the next. Amelia longs for a place to call home in the midst of so much change. Her quest for home is a tribute to the resilience and resourcefulness shown by migrant children each day, whether they are arriving at a new school or are working in the fields. Acrylic paintings on canvas offer a lovely texture to the illustrations.
Arrorro, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games
A selection of nursery rhymes and games from different countries are presented in this book in both Spanish and English. The rhymes are accompanied by gentle illustrations. Music appears with lyrics (again in both languages) at the end of this pleasing book.
Arroz con Leche
These traditional rhymes and songs from Latin America are presented in both English and Spanish. Gentle illustrations accompany the short verses, and show both cities and the countryside. Children and adults from Spanish-speaking backgrounds will recognize many of these fun songs and rhymes.
Barrio: José's Neighborhood/Barrio: El barrio de José
José lives in a diverse neighborhood where he's just as likely to hear Spanish, English, or Chinese. The appealing photographs in this book document José's life at home, at school, and on the streets of his barrio in San Francisco, a city that is a vibrant mosaic of different cultures. (Available in a Spanish edition and in an English edition with a Spanish glossary).
Borreguita and the Coyote
Left alone to graze, Borreguita outsmarts the fierce coyote who thinks the small lamb would be a tasty lunch. This tale from Ayutla, Mexico, is retold with sly humor and illustrated with dramatic, full color illustrations.
César: Yes, We Can!/César: ¡Sí, Se Puede!
The life and times of César Chávez are vividly re-created in this collection of poems. Where most biographies stick to the facts of what a person did, this one also touches on the man's character and values. Children will learn about Chávez, but, more importantly, they will learn about the important lessons he taught others even amid great challenges.
Carnaval
Share the five days of Carnaval revelry — beginning with the lengthy preparations in Olinda, a northeastern Brazilian city. The book features stunning photographs and crisp text, handsomely formatted.
Charro: The Mexican Cowboy
Visit Guadalajara, Mexico and live for a day in the life of a Mexican horseman during the celebration known as el día del charro. In this photo-essay, Ancona discusses the training necessary to become a charro or a charra.
Chato's Kitchen (La cocina de Chato)
Chato, along with Novio Boy, are the coolest cats in their East Los Angeles barrio. When a family of mice moves next door to Chato, he invites them to dinner. He's going to eat them for dinner, but the mice bring a friend along – a dog – to surprise Chato and foil his plans. The text and pictures show the funny situation and the satisfying solution. (In English sprinkled with Spanish. Includes a glossary of Spanish words used in the text.)
Cuban Kids
Meet kids in Cuba as they work, play, and go to school. They live in cities and in the country, similar to other children around the world. A straightforward text is expanded by the crisp, varied photographs.
Cuckoo-Cucú: A Folktale from Mexico/Cuckoo-Cucú: Un cuento folklórico mexicano
Lazy Cuckoo has a beautiful singing voice and brightly colored feathers — until he loses them while saving everyone's seeds from the burning forest. In the end, though, he retains his signature voice and earns the respect and gratitude of the other birds. This folktale from Mexico is told both in English and in Spanish.
De Colores and Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children
Bursting with color and spirit, this book is a bilingual collection of Latin-American folk songs. The songs were selected and translated by popular Mexican performer and songwriter Jose-Luis Orozco. The book includes traditional tunes, rhymes, and hand games. An accompanying music CD is also recommended.
Esperanza Rising / Esperanza Renace
Instead of celebrating her 13th birthday in her prosperous Mexican home as she expected, Esperanza must adjust to the murder of her father, the loss of her house and wealth, and her new life as a farm worker in California. This readable coming-of-age novel is based on the life of the author's grandmother.
Fiesta U.S.A.
Full color photographs and informative text introduce four Hispanic holidays that are celebrated in the United States, including the Day of the Dead and Las Posadas. Each celebration is photographed in a different U.S. city.
From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other Summer Poems/Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano
The poet remembers summers growing up in Mexico in poems presented in both English and Spanish. Readers meet his family and join them in the everyday joys of the sunny season. Illustrations are as colorful and evocative as the words.
Get Ready for Gabi: A Crazy Mixed Up Spanglish Day
Third grade Gabi speaks Spanish at home and English at school and sometimes "Spanglish" everywhere. Spanish and English combine naturally in Gabi's narration as the irrepressible, likable girl befriends a kindergartner who has moved from Nicaragua and as she controls her temper when teased by a classmate.
Golden Tales: Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Latin America
Traditional tales, many from little known cultures, are presented here by region. Some are quite sophisticated, others more accessible; all illustrated by evocative art that calls to mind the culture from which the tales were drawn.
Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King
The significance and impact of Dr. King and why his birthday is celebrated is presented in a handsome package. Fluid text combines with stunning illustrations done in scratchboard and paint, to make a sometimes difficult subject accessible to younger children.
Harvesting Hope: The Story of César Chávez/Cosechando esperanza: La historia de César Chávez
In spite of the obstacles he confronted, Cesar Chavez worked tirelessly to better the lives of migrant workers. Here, the life of this controversial man is presented in an open, illustrated format that is intriguing for both new and experienced readers.
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