Bilingual Collection Green, Del Sol Books

Bilingual Collection Green Books and Music CDs Set
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8 Books and 3 Music CDs : 4 Hardcover Bilingual Books, 4 Softcover Bilingual Books, 2 Bilingual Music CDs, and 1 Spanish Music CD

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ALERTA is an acronym for A Learning Environment Response To All, a curriculum for young children developed at Columbia University. ALERTA placed a value on multiculturalism and bilingualism, and this program of 31 songs, performed by noted children's singer and guitarist Suni Paz, is devoted to songs from Latin America and the Caribbean. These are really brief tracks -- as short as 30 seconds, and only longer than two minutes in a couple of cases -- with both Spanish and English lyrics. They're sung capably by Paz, sometimes with sympathetic, unobtrusive accompanying vocalists, sometimes a cappella, and usually on guitar, although piano is also used. This LP and another Paz album on Folkways, Canciones para el Recreo: Children's Songs for the Playground, have been combined onto one CD by Smithsonian Folkways. That reissue has liner notes which print the lyrics, and also include English translations of Spanish lyrics. - Richie Unterberger

Listen to a sample song from Canciones para el recreo, Alerta Sings Songs for the Playground's songs by clicking on the highlighted CD title below.

44-Song Canciones para el recreo, Alerta Sings Songs for the Playground's CD
Los vecinos
Naranja dulce
Tengo una muñeca
Little David
Dis Lang Time Gal
Pizza, Pizza, Daddy-O
San Serení
Andando, andando / Tortitas, tortitas
Sana, sana / Pon, pon
Brown Girl in the Ring
Willoughby
Room for Rent / Cinderella
Mambrú
A la limón
El coquí
La rana
Noah
Head to Shoulders
Little Sally Walker
¡Que llueva!
La pájara pinta
Los números
La manita
Los animalitos
Walk Together, Children
Hush, Little Baby
Punchinella
A Sailor Went to Sea
Brinca la tablita
Matarile
Cricle Around
Lega la mañana
La gatita Carlota
Los pollitos dicen pío, pío, pío
Quenepa
Niño lareño
El aguila y la paloma
Cocorocó
Tengo dos cabritillasé
Canción de tomar el té
Resfalosa de mi escuela
Cuando estoy triste
Papaloapán
Por un ratoncito

Daniel loves his new pet. But what will happen when it hatches a surprise? Alma Flor Ada and G. Brian Karas team up for a heartwarming story about Daniel and his newest animal friend.

Children’s Literature : Those learning to read often turn to books that explore their interests. Keeping this in mind, Harcourt last year launched a carefully designed early-reader series called "Green Light Readers" with level one (ages 4 to 6) and level two (ages 5 to 7) books. Since many kids are intrigued by animals, Daniel's Pet heads the list. The book offers the simple words, fun rhymes and rhythms and familiar situations that can provide important cues to those trying to master reading. Alma Flor Ada's engaging story about a little boy acquiring and caring for his pet chick is well complemented by G. Brian Karas' whimsical illustrations. At the end, an art project and five playful questions encourage young readers to further reflect on the book, enhancing understanding and enjoyment. 2003, Harcourt, and Ages 4 to 6.

School Library Journal : "You can't go wrong with adding several copies of these terrific books to your beginning-to-read collection."

Daniel finds an egg. What kind of animal will this mystery egg hatch? Imaginations run wild as the kids in Daniel’s class guess what sort of surprise the egg has in store. Teachers comment that this is an excellent book to practice prediction, since Daniel’s friends are actually predicting which animal may hatch from the surprising egg. Of course they are also enjoying it as a book to talk about animals who hatch from eggs. Some teachers have paired this book with another of Alma Flor’s books : Who's Hatching Here? - ¿Quién nacerá aquí?

School Library Journal : Grade 1-2. An appealing story in which a boy finds a small white egg. He shows it to three friends, one at a time. Each child speculates as to what might be inside and how to help once it has hatched. After some waiting, what emerges is not an ostrich or an alligator or a duck, as his friends imagined, but a lizard, exactly the kind of animal Daniel predicted-"small, nice, and quiet." Karas's collages cover three-fourths of each spread or page and are either above or below the text. Most are in full color, with the exceptions being the illustrations that represent what the three imagine is in the egg. Those pictures are more muted and depict the kids peeking over the edges of the scenes. With large-sized type, short sentences, repeated words and phrases, and plenty of illustrations, this book is just right for beginning readers.

Booklist : Grade 1-2. Daniel finds a little egg, puts it in a box, and shows it to his friends as they come along. The children suggest one dangerous or inconvenient animal after another that might be inside the egg, but Daniel expects a small, nice, quiet pet. To the boy's great satisfaction, the egg hatches and a lizard emerges. Written with a simple vocabulary and growing sense of anticipation, this story will suit beginning readers well. Karas' stylized illustrations, collages of cut paper enhanced with drawing and painting, clearly delineate between the actual and imagined scenes. A pleasing entry in the Green Light Reader series.

G. Brian Karas has illustrated dozens of popular books. For this book he used photos of Alma Flor’s grandson Daniel to illustrate the protagonist which Daniel inspired.

Pura Belpre Award Honor Book in 1998 for Illustration
American Booksellers Association, Pick of the List
California Reader's Collection, Elementary List
Center for Latin American Studies, America´s Commended List
National Council of Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council, Notable Book in the Area of Social Studies
National Council of Teachers of English, Notable Book in the Area of Language Arts
Simon Weisenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance, Once Upon a World Award

Gathering the Sun Hardcover is available at 20%-Off for $14.39, including Free Immediate Mailing and No Sales Tax : Gathering the Sun, Hardcover, Bilingual, Book, Alma Flor Ada, Simon Silva, Rosa Zubizarreta, Preschool and Up, 9780688139032, $17.99

The author’s many years of work with migrant families inspired this poetic ABC of the fields, and Simón Silva’s magnificent illustrations have created a work of art to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Author's Note : Some of the most heartening experiences of my life have been my work with Migrant Farm Working families. I have described the academic results of sharing high quality children’s books with Migrant parents and inviting them to create books with their children in Pájaro Valley, California in the book A Magical Encounter : Use of Latino Literature in the Classroom. I have described my work with farm working parents, and the learning I derived from it, in my memoirs, Vivir en dos idiomas. The poems of Gathering the Sun were born out of these enriching experiences. Simón Silva, who knew intimately the life in the fields during his childhood and has drawn from the heritage of the great Mexican muralists provided strong and magnificent illustrations that have made this book the true homage to the farm workers lives and struggles that I dreamt to create. It has given me unsurpassable joy to sign this book for golden anniversaries of grandparents and for birthday gifts, for quinceañeras, new born babies and babies yet to be born, realizing that in each case the book is a symbol of the strength, the resilience, the determination, the dignity and the profound love of family of those who work in the fields and whose labor allows us all to live. Suni’s unique voice and her masterful compositions have allowed the words in this book to transcend their birth as poems becoming unforgettable songs. My gratitude to Suni and Simón, for allowing this homage to César Chávez and all campesinos to be as inspiring as his example and their lives.

Allison's Blog : Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Ada is a collection of simple poems for children. There is a different poem for each letter of the Spanish alphabet depicting the lives of Latin Americans in various aspects. The poems are written in both Spanish and English. They are each short in length and are different from one another. They are mostly about migrant workers and they speak of things such as work in the fields, fruits and vegetables, stars in the sky, love, and leisurely activities. There are young boys and girls, men and women seen in the illustrations that depict the main ideas of each of the different poems. This book is both written and illustrated by insiders of the culture and is an excellent piece of authentic Latin American children's literature. The poems and pictures address migrant work realistically by depicting the physical labor and long hard hours without giving it a lack of admiration and respect. The poem titled "Thanks" is of a young girl giving thanks for all of the positive things she has in her life. The poem titled "Honor" is of a young boy speaking of the honorable work him and his family do in the fields. While the book portrays the migrant workers as having little on a material level, the poems titled "Thanks", "Pride", and "Honor" show that this did not affect their happiness. This is also reinforced through the illustrations where the characters are depicted with smiles on their faces, as content with their jobs, and as happy when they are together at the dinner table or sitting outside with their families. Another poem titled "Love" speaks of the strong bond and closeness between family members and extended family members. Pride of the Spanish language and Mexico are also themes in this piece of literature. These are all common values that are often held by members of this culture and therefore add to the books authenticity.

School Library Journal : PreSchool - Grade 5 An alphabet book with exceptional illustrations and excellent poetry that gives voice to the experience of Hispanic agricultural workers. Each letter is matched with a Spanish word (for example, "Arboles" for "A") and accompanied by a poem in both Spanish and English that describes how the plant, fruit, vegetable, person, or feeling functions in the lives of these workers. Zubizarreta's English translations are informed and graceful, but predictably cannot match the Spanish originals in rhythm, assonance, or meter. Silva's vibrant, double-page, gouache illustrations are reminiscent of the artwork of Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. The colors are brilliant, and the scope has a certain larger-than-life sense to it. This is a book that begs to be read aloud to all students, whether they are Spanish speaking or not. The sound of the poems will draw them in. The touching elegy for Cesar Chavez successfully imparts the impact of a heroic man on his people. Whether used to show the plight of migrant workers or the pride Hispanic laborers feel in their heritage, this is an important book.

Booklist : Ages 5-8 Using the Spanish alphabet as a template, Ada has written 27 poems that celebrate both the bounty of the harvest and the Mexican heritage of the farmworkers and their families. The poems, presented in both Spanish and English, are short and simple bursts of flavor: "Árboles/Trees," "Betabel/Beet," "César Chávez," etc. Silva's sun-drenched gouache paintings are robust, with images sculpted in paint. Brimming with respect and pride, the book, with its mythic vision of the migrant farm worker, will add much to any unit on farming or Mexican American heritage.

Horn Book : "These brief poems honor the lives of migrant farmwokers and celebrate an alphabetic list of spanish words."

Amazon : In simple words and sun-drenched paintings, Alma Flor Ada and Simón Silva take us into the fields and orchards, and into the lives of the people who work them. Simple poems in Spanish and English, one for each letter of the Spanish alphabet, describe the wonder of the vegetable and fruit farms. Together, the poems and the rich illustrations celebrate the glory of nature and the hearts of all who dedicate their lives to working the land.

Google : Moving in its simplicity and candor, this collection of poems tells the story of Hispanic migrant farm workers and their deep connections to the earth they till. Each gentle poem begins with a letter of the Spanish alphabet and appears in both Spanish and English. Vibrant gouache paintings wash each page in color from dawn to twilight in a work that celebrates a people, a language, and the land. The American Library Association has named Gathering the Sun a Pura Belpre Honor Book for its portrayal, affirmation, and celebration of the Latino cultural experience in literature.

Listen to a sample song from Gathering the Sun's 27 songs by clicking on the highlighted CD title below.

27-Song Gathering the Sun CD
A : Árboles
B : Betabel
C/Ch : César Chávez
D : Duraznos
E/F : Estrellas o flores?
G : Gracias
H : Honor
I : Isla
J : Jardin
K : Kiosco de cerezas
L : Lechuga
Ll : Lluvia
M : México
N : Nopalera
N : Niña campesina
O : Orgullo
P : Pájaro
Q : Querer
R : Regar
S : Surco
T : Tomates
U : Uno
V : Violetas
W : Farmworkers
X : Xochitl
Y : Yucaán
Z : Zanahoria

Once, a long, long time ago, the sun disappeared from the sky. Everything was dark for many days. All the animals went to search for the sun in the rivers and lakes, through the fields and forests, but the sun was nowhere to be found. Little by little all the animals gave up, except for the faithful lizard. Finally one day she found a strange glowing rock and discovered the sun fast asleep. But no one could persuade the sun to wake up. Then the emperor organized a great feast, with the finest dancers and musicians, so the sun would wake up and never fall asleep again. Since that day, all lizards love to lie in the sun, to remember the day when one of their own brought light and warmth back to the world.

Author’s Note : What a gift to have had Felipe Dávalos create the art for this story. Felipe Dávalos is a great artist and also a learned scholar. As an archaeologist he knows a great deal about the time and setting of this story. And his wonderful illustrations reflect his art and his knowledge.

Reviews : School Library Journal : Kindergarten-Grade 3. A bilingual (English/Spanish) retelling of a Mexican folktale. When the sun does not appear for several days in a row, everyone becomes anxious. Various animals set off to look for it in such places as rivers, lakes, the jungle, and even in the cone of a volcano. After searching high and low, they give up, except for Lizard. Her faith and perseverance is rewarded when the celestial body is found sleeping under a rock. The story emphasizes the importance of the sun to all living creatures. The colorful double-page illustrations evoke the native culture by featuring characters in their decorated tunics and headdresses. In addition, the use of musical instruments such as drums reinforces Indian culture. Readers will cheer Lizard as she finds the Earth's source of light and warmth. An excellent choice for storyhours.

Kirkus Reviews : Ada elongates a Mexican folktale about a tenacious lizard who won't stop looking for the sun when it disappears; Davalos creates a series of half-lit, blue-toned spreads that evoke the world of the Aztec empire. A first-person introduction explains natural absences of the sun (behind the clouds, etc.), and prepares readers for a time, long ago, when the sun disappeared for no reason. Animals and birds search for it, and fail; only the lizard continues, finding a strangely glowing rock and rushing off to the city to tell the emperor. He tells her to move the rock, which she attempts, but the rock won't budge--once more, she's off to the city. The emperor comes to the rock with a woodpecker, and its beak splits the rock open, revealing a sleeping sun, who drowsily agrees to return to the sky if the emperor will provide the liveliest musicians and dancers. So the entertainment is arranged, and all ends well, with the inauguration of an annual feast. English and Spanish texts appear on each spread of this pleasant tale, diluted only by the several journeys of the lizard between rock and city, and the sun's prolonged resistance to waking up. (Picture book/folklore. 5-8).

"Once in ancient Mexico, the sun disappeared. For days the anxious people wait for the sun to return, but it does not. When lizard discovers a rock lowing with an inner light, she tells the emperor and they awaken the sleeping sun; it returns to the sky, shedding light and warmth on all the earth. Ada retells this traditional tale with graceful language and read aloud rhythms, juxtaposing images of the tenacious, questing lizard against the darkness of jungle, marketplace, and palace. Dávalos paintings are rich with color and expression as the bright green lizard traverses the torchlit night in balanced compositions that spring to bright life with the discovery of the brilliant, sleeping sun. […]” (The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s books. October, 1997)

“[…] The Cuban-born author says she hopes the dual-language format will help awaken children’s interest in acquiring a second language, and certainly it should arouse their curiosity. Artist Felipe Dávalos, originally from Mexico, has created a colorful, exotic landscape full of pyramids, cacti and ancient Mexican sculpture and design. His illustrations beautifully capture the glowing changes as the sun shines once more. “The Lizard and the Sun” is a sumptuous introduction to the land of the Aztec and Maya.” (Bookpage. October, 1997)

“[. . .] Felipe Dávalos’s stylized double-page illustrations complement the bilingual text handsomely. Cross-hatching and speckled backgrounds add shading and texture to artfully arranged compositions that echo the city’s pyramid shapes.” (Reading Teacher, September 1998)

“ A bilingual (English/Spanish) retelling of a Mexican folktale. When the sun does not appear for several days in a row, everyone becomes anxious. Various animals set off to look for it in such places as rivers, lakes, the jungle, and even in the cone of a volcano. After searching high and low, they give up, except for Lizard. Her faith and perseverance is rewarded when the celestial body is found sleeping under a rock. The story emphasizes the importance of the sun to all living creatures. The colorful double-page illustrations evoke the native culture by featuring characters in their decorated tunics and headdresses. In addition, the use of musical instruments such as drums reinforces Indian culture. Readers will cheer Lizard as she finds the earth’s source of light and warmth. An excellent choice for story hours.” (Vanesa Rivas, NYPL, School Library Journal, August, 1997)

“Presented in both Spanish and English, this gentle traditional tale from Mexico shows how people working together can get the job done. When the sun disappears from the sky it is lizard who discovers “a rock that is shining as though it had a light inside.” Traveling to the distant city she tells the emperor who orders her to move it. But when is unable to, the emperor and the woodpecker help lizard release the reluctant sun trapped inside. The structure is different from many folktales, allowing more room for Ada’s eloquent voice. Dávalos sets the story during the time of the Aztec empire; his stylistically detailed artwork is initially veiled in midnight blue but erupts in golden yellow when the sun finally returns to the sky. According to the author’s note, Ada remembers this pourquoi story from an old reading text.” (Julie Corsaro, Booklist, December, 1997).

Bilingual Collection Green, Rey Del Sol, Del Sol Books, Del Sol University Merry Navidad

Resuenen con alegría
los cánticos de mi tierra
que viva el Niño Jesús
que ha nacido en Nochebuena.

It's time to sing out with joy
the songs that are sung in my land
in praise of the precious Child
born this holy Christmas evening.

Come share the joy of a Hispanic Christmas!

In this warm and vibrant collection of traditional Spanish Christmas carols, or villancicos, noted authors Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy bring to life the holiday traditions of Latin America and Spain. The creative English adaptations by Rosalma Zubizarreta both capture the spirit of the originals and add a new dimension to the songs. And Spanish illustrator Viví Escrivá's spirited illustrations are perfect backdrops for the lyrics, adding rich holiday flavor.

Come sing along! ¡Feliz Navidad! and Merry Christmas!

Google : Resuenen con alegría los cánticos de mi tierra que viva el Niño Jesús que ha nacido en Nochebuena. It's time to sing out with joy the songs that are sung in my land in praise of the precious Child born this holy Christmas evening. Come share the joy of a Hispanic Christmas! In this warm and vibrant collection of traditional Spanish Christmas carols, or villancicos, noted authors Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy bring to life the holiday traditions of Latin America and Spain. The creative English adaptations by Rosalma Zubizarreta both capture the spirit of the originals and add a new dimension to the songs. And Spanish illustrator Viví Escrivá's spirited illustrations are perfect backdrops for the lyrics, adding rich holiday flavor. Come sing along! ¡Feliz Navidad! and Merry Christmas!

Blog : Merry Navidad! is a lovely idea and should be fun for families with children ages 5-10. This is not a series of Spanish translations of well-known English-language carols – it is more the other way around. Here are carols from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Chile and other Spanish-speaking countries, most of them emerging from rural traditions that are fading but that retain long-lasting charm. These villancicos are offered in Spanish and English on facing or following pages, and arranged into such sections as “The Road to Bethlehem,” “Christmas Eve” and “Christmas Lullabies.” Each section is introduced – again, in Spanish and English – by a page explaining the traditions of the Spanish-speaking world and the ways in which the villancicos reflect those traditions. The words, by and large, are simple ones: “ Bethlehem is celebrating,/ fum, fum, fum!/ What’s the reason for such glee?/ What can it be? I cannot guess…” But the words of most English-language carols are simple, too. In fact, one of the charms of this book lies in showing English speakers how similar their Christmas sentiments and expressions are to those of the Spanish-speaking world. Unfortunately for anyone tempted by the pleasant lyrics and lovely illustrations to sing along with the carols, there is no CD included with the book (that would have been a nice touch), and there are musical notations at the back for only six of the 19 songs. Still, as an introduction to a Christmas tradition with which many English speakers may be unfamiliar, and a work of gentle charm for Spanish speakers already familiar with these carols, Merry Navidad! is a lovely seasonal book.

A collection of animal-themed nursery rhymes in Spanish, from Spain and Latin America, with English translations.

PreS-Gr 2–The creators of ¡Pío Peep! (2003) and Merry Navidad! (2007, both HarperCollins) have put together another treasury of Spanish nursery rhymes. ¡Muu, Moo! is a collection of animal rhymes that includes such beloved favorites as “Una paloma blanca” and “Debajo de un botón,” along with original verses by both selectors. Rather than a verbatim translation of the Spanish, the English versions retain the rhythm and musicality of the originals. Escrivá’s watercolor illustrations include fun details such as a flea dressed up as a bride, a smiling snail, a frog with a big fly stuck in its mouth, and a dancing monkey wearing a frilly yellow dress. In addition to being a perfect resource for bilingual programs, this book will be enjoyed as a bedtime read-aloud.

Author's Note : It is always an immense source of joy to see a new book published. Isabel Campoy and I have been collecting folklore all our lives. We know the soul of the culture lives in these popular expressions that have been shared from generation to generation through the centuries. It is very meaningful for us to be able to share the children folklore bilingually. Children who are familiar with the Spanish language will be able to enjoy the original rhymes, those that are not fluent yet will be able to enjoy them in English, particularly because the English versions have been lovingly and artistically created by Rosalma Zubizarreta to make them as enjoy able as the originals. These book follows another collection of traditional rhymes, Pio Peep! and one of Villancicos or Christmas Carols, all of them published by Harper Collins with extra ordinary illustrations by Vivi Escriva. A particular element in MuuMoo is that our wonderful editor Rosemary Brosman, understanding the importance that popular poetry remains alive, by being added upon, encouraged us to add some of our own original animal rhymes to the traditional collection. We look forward to your comments as you share MuuMoo with your children or students. May these rhymes continue to live and delight and remain as small treasures in the hearts of children to be held on to forever and some day share with yet another generation of children.

Story Circle Book Reviews : ¡Muu, Moo! is a bilingual collection of seventeen adapted traditional poems and nursery rhymes, from Spain, Latin America, and the United States, centering around animals because the animals interest the young child. Ada and Campoy have included a few of their poems as well. Instead of tranlations, the authors include poetic renditions of the Spanish originals in English, reflecting the charm of the originals. Ada and Campoy chose the selections for ¡Muu, Moo! based on the ability of the pieces to bridge childhood with ancestral roots for Latino children. They focused on tying the past with the present through the included works. Children who speak English only will still delight in the tender words. Viví Escrivá's water color illustrations provide culturally rich backgrounds for the poems. The vibrancy and strength of the Latino culture is evident on each page. Ages: 2-7

Katie's Literature Lounge : Alma Flora Ada and F. Isabel Campoy have compiled a selection of sixteen animal nursery rhymes, shared in Spanish. Rosalma Zubizarreta has compiled the English version of the same sixteen. The animal nursery rhymes found within the pages of this particular title come traditionally from Spain, Latin American and the United States. The rhymes are fun, and beautifully illustrated, helping the youngest of children to make a connection between text and context clues found within the illustrations. The following is a list of animal nursery rhymes found within:

Bilingual books are quickly finding a place in my heart, as I have found out that I will have a child in my preschool class next year whose parents speak only Spanish. In order to ensure the success of this child (with the help of her parents), I want to be sure to reach out to them and make them feel comfortable in helping their child in any way possible. Providing that family with bilingual literature will allow them the opportunity to work with their daughter, and at the same time, pick up on a little bit of the English language they are working hard to learn! Because of this, this is another book that will certainly be included in my "literacy backpack" sets! Learning/Reading Activity: Because nursery rhymes (and these in particular) feature lines containing rhyming words, use these nursery rhymes to reinforce the concept of rhyming!

Happy Nappy Bookseller : This is a bilingual collection of traditional animal nursery rhymes from Spain, Latin America and the United States. The nursery rhymes are wonderfully fun and great read alouds. The beautiful and detailed illustrations are a perfect fit. The more I look at this book, the more I love it.

One of my favorite is My Donkey :

My donkey told me today
his head is hurting, oh my!
The doector said that he should
put on a long black tie.

My donkey told me today
his throat is hurting, oh my!
The doctor said that he should
put on a long white tie.

My donkey told me today
his ears are hurting, oh no!
The doctor said that he should
wear a black hat just so.

My donkey told me today
his heart is hurting, he thinks.
The doctor decided to give him
some lemon syrup to drink

My donkey told me today
he no longer hurts at all
The doctor decided to give him
some apple syrup this fall

Here is a groundbreaking bilingual collection of traditional rhymes that celebrates childhood and Spanish and Latin American heritage. From playing dress up to making tortillas, and from rising at daybreak to falling asleep, these joyful rhymes are sure to delight young readers.

Passed down from generation to generation, the twenty-nine rhymes included have been lovingly selected by distinguished authors Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy. English adaptations by Alice Schertle capture the spirit of each rhyme and have a charm all their own. Accompanied by enchanting illustrations by Spanish artist Viví Escrivá, this collection is destined to become a beloved classic for children already familiar with the rhymes as well as those encountering them for the first time.

Bulldog Librarian : The author’s intent of this book was to “stimulate children to read” and that’s exactly what it will do. The poems are fun and whimsical and children will gravitate towards them. Because these poems are from an oral folktale background, the rhyming “bounce” to them will keep children and adults entertained. Some of them should also be easy for young readers to tackle independently. The authors collected these rhymes and songs from all the nineteen Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. They purposely selected well known rhymes so many generations can share the book together. The authors also note the selections are personal to them because they selected rhymes that they cherished in their own childhood. The book contains an informative author’s note, table of contents and introduction page. The author’s note and introduction should definitely be read because they explain the purpose of the book. The authors chose to create a “poetic re-creation” and not just translate the Spanish rhyme into English. Their explanation is helpful and guides the reader into deeper appreciation of the dual language rhyme sets. “Here the Bird Laid the Egg / Aqui puso la pajarita el huevo” (pg 18-19) will be a favorite for students. The plot is simple and easy to understand. The sequence of events is laid out in a timely fashion. With the ending, “and this fat rascal gobbled it up!” kids will cheer because of the simple joke. Students will be able to relate to Escrivá’s watercolor illustrations because the faces look like they do. Like the small nest on page 19, the little details added will delight young readers. “The Elephants / Los elefantes” (pg 32-35) involves simple actions and easily understood humor. Students will quickly grasp that elephants can’t swing from a spider’s web and that there will be some kind of consequence. The anticipation will build and students will have fun deciding what exactly happens next. Escrivá’s large illustrations will appeal to children because the elephants look playful and childlike.

School Library Journal : PreSchool-Grade 2 Following in the tradition of Margot Griego's Tortillitas para Mama (Holt, 1995) and Jose-Luis Orozco's Diez deditos (Dutton, 1997) comes this stellar collection of nursery rhymes. Selected from the rich oral tradition of Latin America and the American Southwest, most of the verses are known throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The rhymes cover everything from early morning birds to elephants to angels, and the reason for their enduring popularity is clear. Deeply rhythmic verses, compelling rhyme schemes, and words that "play trippingly on the tongue" characterize every verse. Schertle's excellent English adaptations are not literal translations but poetic re-creations. They retain the rhythm, meter, and general meaning of the originals, making the rhymes as memorable and memorizable in English as they are in Spanish. Escriv 's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations use brilliant hues and detail to reconstruct a young child's world. Certain to become a staple for preschool and early elementary programs, this offering is also a wonderful, reassuring lap book. A must-purchase for libraries.

Booklist : PreS. As the preface to this delightful book states, nursery rhymes and songs are an important part of Spanish oral folklore. The 29 rhymes here--some accompanied by finger plays or games, and some simply meant to be chanted on their own--in most cases came to the Americas from Spain. They are presented both in Spanish and in English, although "to preserve the charm of the original rhymes," the English versions are not translations but "poetic recreations." Even adult readers with a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish will see some of the differences, but both versions have a sweet, rhythmic simplicity that will get children singing, clapping, and perhaps making some forays into a new language. The watercolor illustrations, featured prominently on the page, are a mix of historical and contemporary, generic Latin American scenes, and pictures of animals (not Escriva's artistic strong suit). Parents, teachers, and librarians will find a multitude of uses.

School Library Journal : "Stellar…The rhymes cover everything from early morning birds to elephants to angels."

Amazon :

Google : El sol es de oro la luna es de plata y las estrellitas son de hoja de lata. The sun's a gold medallion. The moon's a silver ball. The little stars are only tin; I love them best of all. Here is a groundbreaking bilingual collection of traditional rhymes that celebrates childhood and Spanish and Latin American heritage. From playing dress up to making tortillas, and from rising at daybreak to falling asleep, these joyful rhymes are sure to delight young readers.

Kathy the Crazy Celtic Librarian : This volume is a perfect companion to Jane Yolen’s THIS LITTLE PIGGY which is Anglo-European/American in focus. Thirty poems from the folklore tradition are featured in this bilingual text. It is a multicultural poetry collection with talented and famous contributors. Ada has won dozens of awards and collaborated with the celebrated Spanish artist, illustrator, and marionette maker from Madrid, Vivi Escriva on many volumes. Many will recognize the name Alice Schertle, as an author and poet with over 30 children’s books to her credit. Campoy brings a variety of experiences to play as co-editor of this delightful book. She is a playwright, researcher of Hispanic culture, renowned poet and storyteller. The care and passion woven into the book is obvious after only a page or two is turned. The authors offer a seminal introduction that is more of a plea than a justification for the uses of poetry, folklore, song, and play both in the home and in the classroom. The detailed “About the Authors” page is equally well written and impassioned. Ada states, “The words of nursery rhymes give both wings and roots to my soul.” And that she says is the reason she continually looks for ways to share them with children. Campoy is no less passionate when she proclaims, “The word, when sung, conveys the pleasure of rhythm, just like a beating heart!” The all agree that folklore is often a child’s first experience with literature and be a precursor to learning to read. The poem, “The Little Boat” seems to naturally follow the tune of “Miss Mary Mack” featured in THIS LITTLE PIGGY. The text notes tell us that “Sea Serpent” is played just like “London Bridge.” The book is populated with dolls, angels, tortillas, animals, and cinnamon. It is truly a challenge to choose a favorite verse but I must say that “Now Softy the Roses” and “Sleep Now, My Baby” are noteworthy additions to the collection. As in THIS LITTLE PIGGY finger plays, games, lullabies, and traditional rhymes are included. A wonderful addition to any personal, educational or professional collection.

Lindsey Hammonds : ¡Pio Peep! is a fabulous collection of Spanish oral folklore nursery rhymnes. The original compilation was created by Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy. This bilingual book contains the original nursery rhyme and then a "poetic re-creation" of Spanish poems. So although, the poems might not be translated perfectly, the main features and purpose of the story remains true. Poems range from two to ten lines and magnificiently detail the Hispanic culture. The nursery rhymes include stories about birds, five little chicks, a snail, wolf pups, and a boy going to the city to possibly get engaged. Each page contains enormous brightly colored illustrations that take up almost all of the page. In general, on one side of the page is the Spanish poem and then on the other is the English poem. Children will love to read each poem and older bilingual children will love to compare the two rhymes. This collection of traditional Hispanic nursery rhymes will be a great addition to any poetry collection.

A Warner : In this compilation, traditional Spanish language nursery rhymes from Spain and Latin America are represented. The collectors note that the thirty rhymes present were chosen to represent the many traditional Spanish language rhymes. Although the English versions of the rhymes appear next to the Spanish ones, they are not direct translations. Instead, Schertle has tried to capture the essence of the poem and made sure it rhymes in English, even if the words used are different than the Spanish version. A sing-song quality is present in most of the rhymes and exemplified in “Pito, Pito, Colorito:” “Pito, pito, colorito,/ donde vas tu, tan bonito?/ Voy al campo de la era./ A la escuela verdadera.” Whether the reader is familiar with the language, these rhymes beg to be sung aloud. The watercolor illustrations permeate the pages, filling them with greens and blues and infusing the compilation with a sense of growth and comfort. While the difference in poem content between the Spanish and English versions may be distracting to some bilingual readers, the illustrations give the book a unifying quality. The advantages of sharing this collection are numerous, including affirming the important place this culture has in the traditional literature and poetry genres.

Karen's Thoughts : PIO PEEP! Starts by giving brief background information on Spanish oral folklore and how the selections for this anthology were made. The introduction, found in both Spanish and English, explains to parents the benefits of reading poetry and why the English recreations might have slight variations from the original Spanish poems. With poems written in the original Spanish language and accompanied by the English recreations, this poetry collection would benefit the beginning English Language Learner that has an interest in poems. Bright, simplistic illustrations capture the attention of even the youngest children as the poems are read aloud. With the poems coming from the Spanish heritage, Escriva does an excellent job of illustrating the characters so that they accurately and respectfully represent the Hispanic culture, allowing a sense of pride to develop for the Hispanic readers and listeners as the poems are shared with various cultural groups. The poems have a sing-song rhythm that lends itself well to reading aloud with young children.

Lynda Smith : This bilingual collection showcases traditiional Hispanic nursery rhymes. Stemming from oral folklore, these verses have been passed down for many generations. While similar to the types of mother goose rhymes children from North America learned, many retain their own special Hispanic flavor. An example is in the words to Tortillitas para Mama (Tortillas for Mommy) and Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding) which mention traditional Hispanic foods. La Pinata shows the delight of a traditional game enjoyed by Hispanic children. Other poems about animals and family life could be from any culture but reading them aloud in both English and Spanish adds a special element. The Spanish language has its' own rhythm which sounds very musical even to those who don't understand all the words. Watercolor illustrations beautifully grace each page. Scenes of children playing and enjoying life, animals and nature all create images to complement the poems. This is a beautiful collection to share with young children and is recommended for PreK to grade 2.

Free Webs : For and Campoy have selected 29 traditional Latin American and American Southwest rhymes to include in this poetry collection. All of the poems have a clear rhythm and catchy rhymes with a sense of musical sounds to the listeners, “Pito, pito, colorito,/Donde vas tu, tan bonito?/Voy al campo de la era./A la escuela verdadera.” Schertle has written English adaptations instead of straight translations so the English versions stay true to the original meanings and the rhythm and rhyme of the poems. Escriva’s watercolor and colored pencil illustrations in bright hues lend welcome visuals to enhance each poem. This collection works well for reading aloud, in both English and Spanish, and are also great for one on one sharing.

Lindsay Foster : Even a non-native speaker of Spanish could enjoy this lovely collection of traditional Spanish nursery rhymes. Paired with the Spanish, the English "poetic recreations" offer a unique perspective on the native oral traditions of the Hispanic culture. The soft illustrations are enticing to young and old eyes. When read aloud, the Spanish poems are gently soothing and pleasing to the ear. The twenty-nine different selections express a variety of childhood activities from finger play type games to star-gazing to animal observations.

Early Childhood Literature Review : Summary: The collection of 29 nursery rhymes as presented in this bilingual book will please the young as they listen and sing rhymes that cover many subjects, including animals, children, and home. The authors stated that some of the rhymes and songs came from Spain to America. They selected some of their childhood favorites to include in this book. The watercolor illustrations are very colorful and will appeal to young and old. Comments: The children will enjoy hearing the poems read in Spanish and in English. Children will see their culture and traditions presented in a warm and positive manner. If you do not speak both languages, the children will be pleased to have a mom or volunteer read to them in the second language. This book is appropriate and recommend for the classroom. It is appropriate for toddlers to adults. Alma Flor Ada : Thanks for the gentle review of our book Pio Peep! We indeed enjoyed very much making these beloved nursery rhymes accessible to children in the United States both in English and Spanish. The warm reception the book has had, and its several reprints, tell us that indeed they are being enjoyed. To pass on creations that have been alive for centuries is very satisfactory, a way of acknowledging what we received and an expression of gratitude for the enjoyment that language can provide. Mama Goose is another treasury of oral folklore in both languages that was fun to put together. The recently published Merry Navidad collects Christmas carols organizing them along the various moments related to these cultural festivities. My daughter Rosalma Zubizarreta was able to create English versions that still allow to be sang. Congratulations to the professor who has created this blog and to the students who are writing the reviews. A useful service for all of us who love children's books. With appreciation, in friendship, Alma Flor Ada

Great bilingual book and CD. The CD had great music on it in both Spanish and English. Great way to introduce traditional Spanish poems and music to your young. Wonderful bilingual book.

This book is beautifully illustrated and the little rhymes are wonderful. I have read this book to various ages and it's always a bit hit.

Our baby isn't born yet, but we've started reading to him already. This book has short, fun rhymes in both English and Spanish. We haven't used the CD yet, but I like this book so much that I've purchased it as gifts for several friends also expecting who want their kids to grow up bilingual.

Listen to a sample song from Pio Peep's 29 songs by clicking on the highlighted titles below.

29-Song Blue Pio Peep Full CD
A la rueda rueda
Cinco lobitos
Tortillitas para mamá
Aserrín, aserrán
De colores
El patio de mi casa
Caballito blanco
Arroz con leche
Los elefantes
El barquito
Tengo una muñeca
A la vibora de la mar
La piñata
Cuú
A dormir va la rosa
Pajarito que cantas
Duérmete, mi niña
Bread and Cinnamon
Five Little Wolf Cubs
Tortillas for Mommy
Seesaw, Seesaw
Many Colors
In My Backyard
Rice Pudding
My Little Doll
The Piñata
Ribbitt
Little Bird Singing
Sleep Now, My Baby

16-Song Red Pio Peep Partial CD
A la rueda rueda
Cinco lobitos
Tortillitas para mamá
De colores
Arroz con leche
Cuú
Pajarito que cantas
Duérmete, mi niña
Bread and Cinnamon
Five Little Wolf Cubs
Tortillas for Mommy
Many Colors
Rice Pudding
Ribbitt
Little Bird Singing
Sleep Now, My Baby

Count along in Spanish and English as each one of the ten adorable puppies disappears from the pages—it's a bilingual bonanza! Colorful and playful illustrations by artist Ulises Wensell, a vibrant rendition of the classic Spanish nursery rhyme by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, and a delightful English adaptation by Rosalma Zubizarreta will make this edition an instant family favorite. And you can find more information at the back of the book about the puppy breeds featured. Puppies have never been so irresistible!

Ahora puedes contar, en inglés o en español, cada uno de los diez adorables perritos mientras van desapareciendo de las páginas. ¡Una verdadera joya bilingüe! Las originales y divertidas ilustraciones del artista Ulises Wensell, la vibrante versión de la rima clásica de Alma Flor Ada y F. Isabel Campoy, y una excelente adaptación en inglés de Rosalma Zubizarreta harán que este libro sea indispensable en todos los hogares. Puedes encontrar más información acerca de las razas de los cachorros en la parte posterior del libro. ¡Nunca has visto perritos más irresistibles!

School Library Journal : In one of the most popular counting rhymes in Spanish folklore, 10 adorable puppies decrease by one with each page turn. Enticements such as snow, pastries, fireworks, a new home, theater, sickness, and fun cause the puppies to move on, until only one remains as a beloved companion for a child. Vibrant colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations are done in deep hues of green, pastels, and earth tones to create realistic images that capture the spontaneous, playful, and affectionate nature of the pups. The text can be sung or spoken in Spanish or English. The English translation skillfully utilizes rhyme to maintain the story's authenticity while accurately reflecting the original poem. The back section contains musical notation of the melody, guitar chord symbols, the bilingual verses in their entirety, and a glossary with information about the 10 dog breeds featured. Large, appealing illustrations will make this a favorite for storytime presentations; an excellent source in helping children to develop prereading skills, and a fun way to introduce them to early math concepts such as addition and subtraction.