Bilingual

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Neal Porter Books

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Summary:  “I dreamed of you,/then you appeared./Together we became/Resplendent life, you and I.”  So begins Yuyi Morales’s book addressed to her son, whom she carried across a bridge into a new country when he was a baby.  Together they explore their new home, confused by the language and often making mistakes (demonstrated by the picture of her playing with her young son in a public fountain, while a police officer stands by with his hands on his hips).  One day they discover a miraculous place: the public library. “Suspicious. Improbable. Unbelieving. Surprising. Unimaginable.” Slowly, she learns about the library, and picture books open up a new world to her and her son, teaching them to read, write, and speak.  “We are stories./We are two languages./We are lucha./We are resilience./We are hope./We are dreamers, sonadores of the world./We are Love Amor Love.” Includes “My Story”, a two-page note from Morales about her journey from Mexico to the U.S. and how the public library helped her and her son Kelly pursue their dreams in their new country; also books that have inspired her.  Simultaneously released with Soñadores, the Spanish language version. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Yuyi Morales hasn’t really been on my radar as an illustrator, but this beautiful book made me go back and look at what other books she has done (her best known is probably Viva Frida which won both the Belpre Medal and a Caldecott honor).  Her note on how she created the pictures reveals that they are a blend of acrylics and ink, along with a long list of items that she photographed and scanned.  This makes for bright, colorful, textured illustrations. Kids will enjoy finding books that they recognize in the pictures from the library. The brief, poetic text beautifully expresses the hopes and dreams of those immigrating to the U.S.  Look for this title during awards season.

Cons:  Young kids may need some help in understanding what is going on in the story.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Philomel Books

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Summary:  Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor tells the story of her life, with an emphasis on how words and books have shaped it.  Starting as a young girl listening to her grandmother quote poetry from Puerto Rico, Sonia realized the power of words. Later, books helped her when she was diagnosed with diabetes at age 7, and after her father died when she was 9.  In high school, reading Lord of the Flies made her understand how important laws are to a society, and stories about Jesus in her religion class showed her not to judge other people for mistakes they have made.  She emphasizes the importance of books in helping her to create her own story, and invites readers to do the same. Includes a timeline and photos on the endpapers; a Spanish version of this book, Pasando Páginas: La Historia de mi Vida was released simultaneously.  40 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  An inspiring story of a successful woman who used books and libraries to educate herself.  It’s enough to make any librarian happy.

Cons:  Some of the photos on the endpapers were covered by the taped-down dustjacket of my library copy.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

How Are You? Como Estas? by Angela Dominguez

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

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Summary:  In this follow up to How Do You Say? Como Se Dice?*, Angela Dominguez’s two giraffes meet up with an ostrich.  They immediately start asking questions in English and Spanish: How are you? Are you shy? Are you hungry? The ostrich answers no to everything. Finally, she reveals how she is feeling:  She is excited because she has two new amigos! *(If anyone knows how to do accents or upside down question marks in Google Docs, please email me!)  32 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  The cute animals will appeal to the very youngest readers, and older kids will have fun learning some Spanish (or reading it for their friends if they already speak it).  

Cons:  A list of all the phrases or words from the book in both languages would have been a nice addition at the end.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

La Frontera/The Border: El Viaje Con Papa/My Journey With Papa by Deborah Mills and Alfredo Alva, illustrated by Claudia Navarro

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Published by Barefoot Books

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Summary:  Alfredo tells the story of his life in Mexico, how his father was no longer able to support the family, and his parents’ decided to send him and papa north to the United States.  A coyote led the two of them to the Rio Grande, gave them an inner tube to float across, then disappeared with their money.  After a grueling week of traveling on foot, they found a shack to sleep in, and a friend of Alfredo’s grandfather picked them up and drove them to Texas.  They settled in to the Embassy, a collection of broken-down vehicles parked behind a factory.  When Alfredo started school, his father gave him a $100 bill to buy a bus ticket back home if he was picked up by immigration officials and sent back to Mexico.  After a difficult transition, Alfredo enjoyed school.  President Reagan granted amnesty to immigrants, and Alfredo and his father were able to start the path to citizenship.  Best of all, four years later, the rest of the family was able to come to the United States.  Includes photos of Alfredo and his family, and extensive information on Alfredo’s story, borders and culture, and immigration.  In English and Spanish.  48 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  A grittily realistic story of a family seeking a way out of desperate poverty in the United States.  Although it takes place more than 30 years ago, the story is more relevant than ever to readers today.  Putting a face on “illegal immigrants” will help students have greater empathy for others in a similar situation, and those who have experienced a journey like Alfredo’s will feel a connection to him and his father.

Cons:   Too bad certain government officials in Washington, D.C. aren’t reading this.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Candlewick

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Summary:  When Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela complains that her name is too long, her father tells five stories about the different family members for whom she is named.  Each one connects to her in a special way.  Her sixth name, Alma, is just for her.  “You are the one and only Alma,” her father tells her.  “You will make your own story.”  The author’s note tells the story of her own full name, Juana Carlota Martinez Pizarro, and how it reminds her of her roots in Peru.  Also available in a Spanish edition, Alma y Como Obtuvo su Nombre.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A lovely story by award-winning illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal that invites readers to learn and tell the stories of their own names.

Cons:  Alma may struggle with all those names when filling out online forms.

Click to buy on Amazon:  the English edition or the Spanish edition

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say! By Angela Dominguez

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  Stella Diaz has something to say, but she often has trouble saying it.  She’s shy, and sometimes she stumbles over English words.  Her family moved from Mexico to Chicago when she was a baby, making her feel somewhat disconnected from the extended family that sometimes visits.  Her father has moved to Colorado and only occasionally gets in touch, but her mom and older brother Nick more than make up for his absence.  As Stella moves through third grade, she experiences successes that helps her confidence to slowly build.  She makes new friends, speaks up for herself to the mean girl, and participates in a spelling bee in front of the whole class.  By the end of the story, she’s even made friends with a boy, and he and her other friends have helped her to put together an amazing presentation about her favorite topic, undersea animals.  The end of the year sees Stella excited about spending the summer with family and friends and more than ready to move on to fourth grade.  208 pages; grades 2-4.

Pros:  Fans of Junie B. and Clementine, especially more introverted ones, will enjoy Stella’s story and will cheer her on as she finds the courage to try new experiences.  Readers who are bilingual or new to the United States will connect with Stella’s struggles to fit in.

Cons:  Nick occasionally seems too good to be true for a 14-year-old older brother.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Marti’s Song for Freedom/Marti y Sus Versos por la Libertad by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Children’s Book Press

Summary:  Growing up in Cuba, Jose Marti was outraged that some of his fellow countrymen were slaves.  As he grew older, he learned that the key to ending slavery was Cuba’s independence from Spain.  In 1868, the Cuban people started a war for independence.  Marti’s newspaper articles and pamphlets about it landed him in jail.  At age 17, he was released by the Spanish government on the condition that he leave Cuba forever.  He traveled around the world, advocating for Cuban independence, and finally settled in New York.  He loved the city, but sometimes found it oppressive.  He would retreat to the Catskills, where he wrote poetry and stories for children that are still read today. In 1895, Jose went back to Cuba, where he died a few weeks later in a battle for independence.  Seven  years later, in 1902, Cuba finally gained independence from Spain.  32 pages; grades 2-6.

Pros:  Told in both English and Spanish, this is an inspiring biography of a man who never stopped fighting against the injustices he saw.  The illustrations may make it a Caldecott contender.

Cons:  Why is New York consistently referred to as Nuevo York in the English version of the story?

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary:  The prince is longing for a wife, but no woman is perfect enough for his mother’s approval.  When a maiden happens by, the prince is hopeful, but Mom decides to test her with the old pebble under the mattress(es) trick.  Naturally, the young woman tosses and turns all night, convincing the mother that she’s the one for her son.  There’s a bit of a twist at the end, as it’s revealed that the prince stuck some pitchforks and stones in with the mattresses, but everyone lives happily ever after anyway.  Includes a glossary of Spanish words used in the text and an illustrator’s note explaining how she was inspired by textile arts of indigenous people of Peru in creating her art.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The catchy rhyming text and South American influences in both language and illustrations make this a perfect companion to the more traditional tale of the princess and the pea.

Cons:  Kids will find it helpful to have some background knowledge of the original story before reading this one.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes by Duncan Tonatiuh

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Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers 

Summary:  Izta is a princess of the people, so when she falls in love, it isn’t with one of the wealthy suitors who travel from distant lands to court her.  The warrior Popoca can’t offer her riches, but he recognizes her kind heart and promises to always be faithful to her.  The king would prefer a more titled son-in-law, but he agrees to let the two marry if Popoca can defeat Jaguar Claw, a neighboring king who has caused trouble for years.  Popoca goes off to battle.  When Jaguar Claw realizes he is near defeat, he sends a messenger to tell Izta that her fiancé has been killed.  Grief-stricken, she drinks a potion that the messenger says will ease her sorrow.  Instead, it puts her into a deep sleep from which she never awakens.  When Popoca returns, he brings her outside to try to revive her, and there they stay, together, until they have turned into the two volcanoes, Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl.  An author’s note gives more history of this Aztec legend.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  A captivating retelling of a Mexican legend that explains the existence of two volcanoes visible from Mexico City.  Award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings his distinctive style to the art done in the traditional Aztec style.

Cons:  Even with the glossary and pronunciation guide at the end, pronouncing the Aztec words is a challenge.

Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Candlewick 

Summary:  Juana lives in Bogota, Colombia with her mother, Mami, and her dog Lucas.  She loves soccer, her best friend Juli, and Astroman.  She does not love learning “the English” at school.  It’s hard, and there doesn’t seem to be much point to it.  But then her beloved grandparents tell her they want to take her to Spaceworld in Orlando, Florida, where Juana will get to meet Astroman.  Her grandfather tells her that at Spaceworld, everyone speaks English, and Mami tells her that if her grades don’t improve, there will be no Spaceworld.  That’s all the inspiration she needs, and before long, the family has an amazing trip, and Juana gets to tell Astroman her whole life story.  96 pages; grades 2-4.

Pros:  Fans of Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones will enjoy the spunky Juana and her affectionate dog.  The Colombian setting and frequent Spanish words give this a nice international flavor.  Lots of colorful, cartoony illustrations throughout.

Cons:  It would have been nice to have a Spanish to English translation guide for all the Spanish words in the text.