Blogmeister's note: This marks René Colato's third guest column. Next Saturday, La Bloga looks forward to welcoming René as our regular Saturday children's literature columnist, joining Gina MarySol Ruiz' Wednesday children's literature and other stuff column.
Children’s Books for February
By René Colato Laínez
February is the month of el amor y la amistad, love and friendship. Before presenting the books for this month, let me share my favorite poem written by the Cuban poet, José Martí.
Versos Sencillos
Tiene el leopardo un abrigo
en su monte seco y pardo;
yo tengo más que el leopardo,
porque tengo un buen amigo.
Tiene el señor presidente
un jardín con una fuente,
y un tesoro en oro y trigo:
tengo más, tengo un amigo.
Simple Verses
The leopard has a coat
in his mountain dry and brown;
I have more than the leopard
because I have a good friend.
The highness president
has a garden with a fountain
and a treasure of gold and money,
I have more, I have a friend.
And here are the books for February:
Lover Boy/Juanito el cariñoso written by Lee Merill; illustrated by Francisco Delgado: Cinco Puntos Press.
Four-year-old Johnny loves to dish out kisses, and he counts them in both English and Spanish.
Friends written by Alma Flor Ada; illustrated by Barry Koch: Santillana.
The triangles, squares, rectangles and circles learn that by joining together, they can have more fun.
The Woman Who Outshone the Sun/ La mujer que brillaba mas aún que el sol, a poem from Alejandro Cruz Martinez ; illustrated by Fernando Olivera: Children’s Book Press.
This book retells the Zapotec legend of Lucia Zenteno, a beautiful woman with magical powers who is exiled from a mountain village and takes its water away in punishment.
Lupe Vargas and her super best friend / Lupe Vargas ysu super mejor amiga written by Amy Costales ; illustrated by Alexandra Artigas : Luna Rising.
After playing games, super best friends Lupe and Maritza have a disagreement and must figure out how to make up.
Friends from the other side/Amigos del otro lado written by Gloria Anzaldúa; illustrated by Consuelo Méndez: Children’s Book Press.
Having crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with his mother in search of a new life, Joaquín receives help and friendship from Prietita, a brave young Mexican American girl.
Frog and Toad are friends written by Arnold Lobel: Harper Trophy
Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends - Frog and Toad .
The gold coin written by Alma Flor Ada ; illustrated by Neil Waldman: Atheneum.
Determined to steal an old woman's gold coin , a young thief follows her all around the a Spanish-speaking country.
What is your favorite book about love and friendship? You can add it in the comment area.
Saludos,
René Colato Laínez
Children’s Books for February
By René Colato Laínez
February is the month of el amor y la amistad, love and friendship. Before presenting the books for this month, let me share my favorite poem written by the Cuban poet, José Martí.
Versos Sencillos
Tiene el leopardo un abrigo
en su monte seco y pardo;
yo tengo más que el leopardo,
porque tengo un buen amigo.
Tiene el señor presidente
un jardín con una fuente,
y un tesoro en oro y trigo:
tengo más, tengo un amigo.
Simple Verses
The leopard has a coat
in his mountain dry and brown;
I have more than the leopard
because I have a good friend.
The highness president
has a garden with a fountain
and a treasure of gold and money,
I have more, I have a friend.
And here are the books for February:
Lover Boy/Juanito el cariñoso written by Lee Merill; illustrated by Francisco Delgado: Cinco Puntos Press.
Four-year-old Johnny loves to dish out kisses, and he counts them in both English and Spanish.
Friends written by Alma Flor Ada; illustrated by Barry Koch: Santillana.
The triangles, squares, rectangles and circles learn that by joining together, they can have more fun.
The Woman Who Outshone the Sun/ La mujer que brillaba mas aún que el sol, a poem from Alejandro Cruz Martinez ; illustrated by Fernando Olivera: Children’s Book Press.
This book retells the Zapotec legend of Lucia Zenteno, a beautiful woman with magical powers who is exiled from a mountain village and takes its water away in punishment.
Lupe Vargas and her super best friend / Lupe Vargas ysu super mejor amiga written by Amy Costales ; illustrated by Alexandra Artigas : Luna Rising.
After playing games, super best friends Lupe and Maritza have a disagreement and must figure out how to make up.
Friends from the other side/Amigos del otro lado written by Gloria Anzaldúa; illustrated by Consuelo Méndez: Children’s Book Press.
Having crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with his mother in search of a new life, Joaquín receives help and friendship from Prietita, a brave young Mexican American girl.
Frog and Toad are friends written by Arnold Lobel: Harper Trophy
Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends - Frog and Toad .
The gold coin written by Alma Flor Ada ; illustrated by Neil Waldman: Atheneum.
Determined to steal an old woman's gold coin , a young thief follows her all around the a Spanish-speaking country.
What is your favorite book about love and friendship? You can add it in the comment area.
Saludos,
René Colato Laínez
2 comments:
Great poem--and post--Colato.
I'm gonna use it with my 2nd graders, English and Spanish speakers.
RudyG
I love this poem, and would love to hear kids read it aloud and talk about it.
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