Dear Primo, A Letter to My Cousin

Dear Primo, A Letter to My Cousin

Written and Illustrated by: Duncan Tonatiuh

**2011 Pura Belpre Honor Book**

"From first-time Mexican author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes the story of two cousins, one in America and one in Mexico, and how their daily lives are different yet similar. Charlie takes the subway to school; Carlitos rides his bike. Charlie plays in fallen leaves; Carlitos plays among the local cacti. Dear Primo covers the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of two very different childhoods, while also emphasizing how alike Charlie and Carlitos are at heart. Spanish words are scattered among the English text, providing a wonderful way to introduce the language and culture of Mexico to young children. Inspired by the ancient art of the Mixtecs and other cultures of Mexico, Tonatiuh incorporates their stylized forms into his own artwork."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://duncantonatiuh.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/dear-primo/

¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

Written by: Diana Cohn
Illustrated by: Francisco Delgado

"¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! is a bilingual fictional story set against the backdrop of the successful janitors’ strike in Los Angeles in 2000. It tells about Carlitos, whose mother is a janitor. Every night, he sleeps while his mother cleans in one of the skyscrapers in downtown L.A. When she comes home, she waves Carlitos off to school before she goes to sleep. One night, his mamá explains that she can’t make enough money to support him and his abuelita the way they need unless she makes more money as a janitor. She and the other janitors have decided to go on strike.

How will Carlitos support his mother? Carlitos wants to help but he cannot think of a way until his teacher, Miss Lopez, explains in class how her own grandfather had fought for better wages for farmworkers when he first came to the United States. He and the other children in his class join the marchers with a very special sign for his mom!"

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.dreamcarver.org/sisepuede.php
http://www.seiu.org/division/property-services/justice-for-janitors/

Rin, Rin, Rin, Do, Re, Mi

Rin, Rin, Rin, Do, Re, Mi

Written by: Jose-Luis Orozco
Illustrated by: David Diaz

"This lively bilingual Spanish-English picture book depicts how everyday family activities such as cooking, singing, and storytelling prepare children for reading and life."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.joseluisorozco.com/

Quinito, Day and Night/Quinito, dia y noche

Quinito, Day and Night/Quinito, dia y noche

Written by: Ina Cumpiano
Illustrated by: Jose Ramirez

"The author-illustrator team that created Quinito’s Neighborhood (2005) now focuses on family fun in a book about opposites, which is also a celebration of differences. English and Spanish appear on each double-page spread, accompanied by large, bright acrylic illustrations, with shapes thickly outlined in black, that picture Quinito as the middle kid in his family. He and his brother and little sister are young; Grandma and Grandpa are old. Papi is neat; Quinito’s little brother, who leaves his toys everywhere, is messy. When it’s rainy, Quinito is stuck inside and sad; when it’s sunny, he happily cycles outdoors. The appended bilingual glossary of opposites will inspire them to return to the exuberant scenarios in the book."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://pbskids.org/martha/parentsteachers/activities/oppositeday.html

The Best Town in the World

The Best Town in the World

Written by: Byrd Baylor
Illustrated by: Ronald Himler

"A nostalgic view of the best town in the world, where dogs were smarter, chickens laid prettier brown eggs, wildflowers grew taller and thicker, and the people knew how to make the best chocolate cakes and toys in the world."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/citiesandtowns.html

Houses and Homes

Houses and Homes

Written by: Ann Morris
Illustrated by: Ken Heyman

Striking photographic survey of housing around the world that will be a real eye opener for many children. The lush, full-color photos, one to two per page, tell the real story, conveying nearly as much about those who live in these homes as they do about the dwellings themselves. A black-and-white map is appended with each location clearly labeled. This is a solid addition for collections that support social studies or multicultural units, but would be equally fascinating to browsers throughout the age group."

Online Resources:
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit207/lesson1.html
School Library Journal Review

Cool Ali

Cool Ali

Written and Illustrated by: Nancy Podair

"As her neighbors relax outside their apartment building, Ali helps them beat the intense summer heat by drawing refreshing scenes in chalk: grass and flowers, a lake, a beach umbrella, the North Wind, a polar bear, and even a snow storm. Her sidewalk pictures create such pleasure that at first no one notices the rain. Ali's creations are washed away, but her friends hail her as a heroine. The text, which exudes an air of coziness as friendly as the building's multiethnic inhabitants, comes full circle with Ali drawing once again. This time she's indoors, and her subject is the sun. Poydar's cartoon illustrations, executed in watercolor, oil pastels, and colored pencils, depict several generations. The stoop and sidewalk, awash in shades of brown that suggest desert heat, are transformed into cool blues once the downpour begins. The neighbors move from lethargic stillness to whimsical play to joyful splashing in the rain."

School Library Journal Review