Resources
Recommended
Books
Watch
an episode of Maya & Miguel and then extend
the learning by reading these great books!
#101 MALA
SUERTE
A Chair for My Mother/Un sillón
para mi mamá
by Vera B. Williams
Rosa tells the story of how she, her mother and her grandmother
make ends meet with the help of friends after their house
burns down. Rosa wants to have enough money to buy her mother
a big chair to relax in when she gets home from work. Caldecott
Honor 1983 (Ages 5-7)
Sam and the Lucky Money/Sam
y el dinero de la suerte
by Karen Chinn, illustrated by Cornelius
Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
On Chinese New Year's Day, Sam receives four red envelopes,
each containing one dollar! He can’t wait to spend
it. Sam soon learns that four dollars won’t buy much,
but that it can mean a lot to someone who doesn’t
have much. Beautiful watercolors enhance this touching story.
This book is available in English or Spanish. (Ages 6–7)
Too Many Tamales /¡Qué
montón de tamales! by Gary Soto
María is finally old enough to help
make the tamales. She’s wearing mother’s apron
and even a little of her perfume and lipstick! But when
her mother takes off her diamond ring to knead the masa,
María decides to wear it. She doesn’t discover
that the ring is missing until all the tamales are cooked.
(Ages 6-8)
Carlos and the Cornfield/Carlos
y la milpa de maíz
by Jan Romero Stevens; Illustrated by Jeanne
Arnold
Carlos wants a new red pocketknife, but he must earn the
money to buy it. His father will pay him if he plants the
cornfield, but Carlos despairs of ever finishing the job.
When the corn starts to grow, Carlos learns that “you
reap what you sow” and tries to fix the mess he made.
After some humorous experiences, Carlos comes to understand
the rewards of hard work and learns an important lesson
about listening. This book is bilingual. (Ages 7-10)
Mrs. Flautina Fix-It/Doña
Flautina resuelvelotodo
by Yanitzia Canetti
Mrs. Flautina always helps solve everyone’s problems.
One day, Mrs. Flautina has a problem of her own and she
finds that her neighbors are there to help her. (Ages 8–10)
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#102 THE
MATCHMAKER
Tortillas and Lullabies/Tortillas
y cancioncitas
by Lynn Reiser, translated by Rebecca Hart,
illustrated by “Corazones Valientes”
In this book, large colorful paintings illustrate four activities
shared among three generations: making tortillas, gathering
flowers, washing clothes and singing a lullaby. The text
maintains a predictable pattern, including a refrain, “Every
time it was the same, but different,” which varies
only at the end of the lullaby portion. The words and music
for the lullaby are provided at the end of the book. This
book is bilingual. (Ages 4-6)
A Chair for My Mother/Un
sillón para mi mama
by Vera B. Williams
This Caldecott Honor book tells of a young girl
who — along with her waitress mother — saves
coins in a jar. They want to buy a big, new, comfortable
chair for their apartment, after losing all their furniture
in a fire. A story of love and caring accented with full-color
illustrations and energetic watercolor paintings brimming
with color. (Ages 4-8)
My Mother the Mail Carrier:
Mi Mama LA Cartera
by Inez Maury
In this story of a young girl involved in her
mother's world, daughter and mother live in a bright city
apartment. The story depicts helpful, cheerful people involved
in neighborhood life. This book is in English or Spanish.
(Ages 4-8)
Mail Carrier/El cartero
by JoAnn Early Macken
Real-life photographs and simple text in English and Spanish
depict the activities of a mail carrier. (Ages 4-8)
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#106 LA
NUEVA COCINITA
Magda's Tortillas/Las Tortillas de
Magda
by Becky Chavarría-Cháirez,
illustrated by Anne Vega
This bilingual picture book for children about a young girl's
first tortilla-making experience, captures the importance
and pleasures of handing down family traditions from the
oldest generation to the youngest. (Ages 7-10)
Jalapeño Bagels
by Natasha Wing and Robert Casilla
This is the story of how two cultures come together. Pablo,
a boy whose father is a Jewish baker and whose mother is
a Mexican housewife, must decide what to bring to school
for International Day. This delightful story comes complete
with recipes for all the items that Pablo helps his parents
make. In English. (Ages 5-8)
Bread, Bread, Bread
by Ann Morris and Ken Heyman
What kind of bread do you eat? A bagel? A tortilla? A baguette?
All over the world, wherever there are human beings, someone
is eating bread. Ann Morris's simple text and Ken Heyman's
photographs reveal for young readers how people eat —
and how people live — the world over. In English.
(Ages 5-8)
Everybody Cooks Rice
by Norah Dooley Illustrated by Peter J.
Thornton
At dinnertime, a child sent to find a younger brother visits
neighbors’ houses and is introduced to a variety of
cultures. This book features the many different ways rice
is prepared — including Haitian, Vietnamese, Puerto
Rican, Indian and more! (Ages 4-8)
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#107 THE
LETTER
Yo! Yes?
by Chris Raschka
This story is about two boys: one African American,
the other white. One is shy, the other outgoing; one nerdy,
the other street smart. With the barest of greetings, they
decide to get to know each other, and despite their differences,
they become friends. This book echoes the episode as two
people from different backgrounds overcome barriers to become
friends. (Ages 5-7)
The Rainbow Tulip/El
tulipán arco iris
by Pat Mora, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles
Stella knows that being Mexican makes her different from
the other children at school. No one else speaks Spanish,
or even has an accent! The class is going to dance around
the Maypole and she wants her costume to be special. This
book highlights the feelings that children have as they
try to fit in and make friends. (Ages 4-8)
I Hate English!
by Ellen Levine
Mei Mei is an immigrant child from Hong Kong living in New
York. She loves Chinatown where the sights, sounds and smells
are familiar and where everyone speaks Chinese, just like
she does. But everyone in school speaks English and even
though she can learn the language, she doesn’t want
to. She’s afraid that if she learns another language,
she will be changed. (Ages 6-9)
Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary
Disaster
by Debra Frasier
When Sage's spelling and definition of a word reveal her
misunderstanding of it to her classmates, she is at first
embarrassed but then uses her mistake as inspiration for
the vocabulary parade. In the book, Sage uses her difficulties
in learning English to create a new learning experience.
(Ages 8-10)
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#110 POLITICS
UNUSUAL
So You Want to Be President?
by Judith St. George and David Small
So, you want to be President! Why not? Presidents have come
in every variety. They've been generals like George Washington,
actors like Ronald Reagan, handsome like Franklin Pierce
and homely like Abraham Lincoln. Hilariously illustrated,
this celebration shows us the foibles, quirks and the humanity
of forty-one men who have risen to one of the most powerful
positions in the world. Caldecott Medal Book, 2001. (Ages
7-10)
Yertle the Turtle and
Other Stories
by Dr. Seuss
While the text is vintage Dr. Seuss — rhyming and
word fun for readers — the content of this collection
is thought provoking and offers valuable lessons about such
topics as selfishness. In English. (Ages 4-8)
Something Special for
Me/Especial Para Mí
by Vera B. Williams
Rosa lives with her grandmother and mother, who works as
a waitress. They have a big glass jar into which they and
other family members put spare change. For her birthday,
Rosa gets to spend the contents on a gift for herself. What
will she choose? Roller-skates? A dress? A daypack? Rosa
finally chooses something that will bring pleasure to her
friends and family as well as herself. In English or Spanish.
(Ages 5-8)
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#112 THE
DOUBTFUL PRINCE
Amelia's Show-And-Tell Fiesta/Amelia
y la fiesta de "muestra y cuenta”
by Mimi Chapra
At her very first show-and-tell, Amelia may have made a
mistake. When she sees a basket filled with a variety of
small objects, she worries she has brought the wrong item
to share with her new classmates. The most precious thing
of all from her island home may not be the right thing for
show and tell in her new American school. Told in both English
and Spanish, this tale about a young girl who is new to
the United States is an endearing tribute to every young
child who has ever been a newcomer. (Ages 4-8)
The Upside Down Boy/El
niño de cabeza
by Juan Felipe Herrera
In rhythmic, flowing language, Herrera tells the story of
a young Hispanic boy's adjustment to an Anglo school. Juanito
is worried about entering a new school, afraid that his
tongue will "turn into a rock." Indeed, on the
first day, this is what happens. He feels frightened, shy,
and de cabeza — upside down. Fortunately, his teacher
recognizes his musical and verbal abilities and, with her
encouragement and the support of his family, Juanito not
only fits in, but shines. (Ages 7-12)
See What You Say/Ve lo
que dices
by Nancy Tabor
There is more than one way to say what you mean, and this
bilingual book illustrates this idea in an unusual way.
After explaining the concept of an idiom, the book compares
twelve pairs of idioms. Each pair has the same meaning,
even though the words they use and the images they evoke
are quite different. This book demonstrates the different
ways people look at the same situations by presenting contrasting
idiomatic expressions in both English and Spanish. Example:
Someone important is a "big wheel" in English
but a "fat fish" in Spanish. (Ages 4-8)
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#113 THE
BULLY AND THE BUNNY
King of the Playground
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Naylor brings wit and good sense to a model exercise in
problem solving and conflict resolution. Malone's characters
are lively and expressive; her imaginary scenes are differentiated
by soft colors. In English. (Ages 4-8)
Amelia Takes Command
by Marissa Moss
Amelia's latest journal provides a glimpse into the life
of a funny and likable girl who is beginning fifth grade,
and who is the target of the class bully. Through candid
notebook entries and lively, captioned drawings, readers
share Amelia's frustration and anger at being ostracized,
and cheer when she gains the necessary confidence at Space
Camp to stand up to her intimidator back home. In English,
(Ages 8-12)
Say Hola to Spanish
by Susan Middleton Elya and Loretta Lopez
In Seuss-style rhymes, more than 70 Spanish words are introduced
either directly or through usage. The Spanish terms are
printed in bold throughout the text, along with plenty of
visual clues, to make it easy for children to decipher them.
Together, text and illustrations create lively language
fun, perfect for a first Spanish lesson. (Ages 4-9)
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#114 FAMILY
TIME
Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia
by Carmen Lomas Garza, translated by Rosalma
Zubizarreta
Garza has generously afforded readers a glimpse of her cherished
childhood in a poor, rural Hispanic community. Her daily
activities and fond memories are told through vibrant, canvas-like
illustrations that evoke powerful feelings of Garza's love
for family and community despite the hardships she encountered
while growing up. (Ages 6-12)
My Tata’s Guitar/
La guitarra de mi tata
by Ethriam Cash Brammer
A boy tells of finding an old guitar in his grandfather's
garage. His tata sits down to play the instrument and tells
him that it was given to him by his own grandfather years
before. Providing glimpses of celebrations and family life
— from romance, to migrant work in the United States
— the economical prose makes clear that in passing
on the guitar, Tata is also passing along his heritage.
The story reads aloud equally well in English and Spanish.
(Ages 4-8)
When We Go Camping
by Margriet Ruurs
In this beautifully illustrated book, one busy family finds
lots to do from sunup to sunset. At the campsite, there’s
wood to chop for the fire and fish to catch. And there’s
plenty of time to explore, climb rocks, splash in the lake
and discover animals in the shadows of the woods. As afternoon
turns to evening, supper needs to be made, and just before
bed, stories are told around the campfire. In English. (Ages
4-8)
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#115 SURPRISE,
SURPRISE
The Birthday Swap/¡Qué
sorpresa de cumpleaños!
by Loretta López
It's the day before her older sister's birthday, and five-year-old
Lori is determined to find her own gift to give. Little
does Lori know that she is in for a surprise of her own.
This warm-hearted tale about the joys of giving and receiving
celebrates family love through affectionate prose and fun,
colorful illustrations. In English or Spanish. (Ages: 6-8)
Tonight is Carnaval/Por
fin es carnaval
by Arthur Dorros
This is the fun story of a young boy’s preparations
for the carnival in the Andes mountains. The illustrations
are reproductions of arpilleras made by the Club de madres
Virgen del Carmen of Lima, Perú. Arpilleras are beautifully
sewn scenes of life in Perú. In English or Spanish.
(Ages 6-8)
Magda's Piñata
Magic/Magda y la piñata mágica
by Becky Chavarría-Chairez, illustrated
by Anne Vega
Gabriel gets a piñata for his birthday — a
very special piñata. It looks like him and it’s
dressed like a cowboy! Gabriel likes the piñata so
much he doesn’t want anyone to break it. His sister
Magda comes up with the perfect plan to save the piñata
while still having a fun party. This book is bilingual.
(Ages 5-8)
Grandma's Records/Los
discos de la abuela
by Eric Velasquez
During his summers, Eric stays with his abuela (grandmother)
in New York’s El Barrio. They listen to her record
collection and dance salsa. Together, they go see their
favorite salsa band, making a memory that will last a lifetime.
The story portrays a relationship that bridges generations.
In English or Spanish. (Ages 4-8)
Chato and the Party Animals/Chato
y los amigos pachangueros
by Gary Soto and Susana Guevara, translated
by Teresa Mlawer
Chato learns that his best friend, Novio Boy, has never
had a birthday party. Chato decides to throw a party for
him. He organizes the party and knows that he has everything
under control — until it’s time for the party
and he realizes he’s forgotten the guest of honor
— Novio Boy! In English or Spanish. (Ages 6-8)
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#116 AN
OKRI-DOKEY DAY
In My Family/En mi familia by Carmen
Lomas Garza
The artist portrays everyday
events as well as special moments of family history in 13
crisply colorful, vibrant paintings with brief, bilingual
background stories for each. A sparkling family album, this
book lovingly shares the artist's memories of his Hispanic
cultural experiences in the Southwest. (Ages 4-8)
What Shall I Do Today?/Qué
hacemos hoy?
by Ray Gibson
Check out this exciting book bursting with imaginative answers
to the familiar question, "What shall I do today?"
How about drawing a tiger in a tree, making potato people
or painting a dragon in a haunted wood? Each activity uses
quick and easy techniques specially designed for short attention
spans and the end results will delight any young artist.
These immensely practical books — with clear illustrations
and instructions, and inspiring photographs — are
an excellent resource for parents. In English or Spanish.
(Ages 6 -12)
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