Love to Mama-A Atribute to Mothers

 

Love to Mama- A Tribute to Mothers

Edited by Pat Mora

Illustrated by Paula S. Barragan

Lee & Low 2001

In this lovely book of poetry, Latino authors share the bonds that forged between children and their mothers or grandmothers. With thirteen different expressions of love, this book is a perfect way to celebrate maternal figures. These artists shared their poetry in English, Spanish and Spanglish and there is a small glossary in the back.

Lee & Low even has a teacher's guide for the classroom at a third grade level. 

De Colores-Bright with Colors

De Colores-Bright with Colors
Pictures by David Diaz
Marshall Cavendish Children 2008 

From the book, "Composed by a group of pilgrims on the mountain roads in Spain in the sixteenth century, 'De Colores' is now sung all over the Spanish speaking world...It is also the anthem of the United Farm Workers..." 

David Diaz does a wonderful job with his illustration of this bilingual version of the popular song. The song includes some animal references and can be included in a color or animal unit. 

The book includes the sheet music in the back to play or you can find versions online from Raffi or Jose-Luis Orozco.

A Color of His Own

A Color of His Own 
by Leo Lionni 
Dragonfly Books 1975

From the Text, "The sad chameleon has a problem--unlike all the other animals, he has no color of his own."  

This tale about a chameleon who changes colors and wants to different finds himself when he finds a friend in another chameleon. I love to have this book on hand when a conversation begins around any differences. It shares the beauty of differences, the sometimes sadness and one type of resolution in finding someone like himself to confide with. This book can also be used in a science unit around chameleons or colors.  

Grace for President
Written by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
2008 Hyperion Books

With the inauguration right around the corner, I thought posting about this book was appropriate. Grace is a little girl that wants to understand why no girls have become president. The teacher joined with another class and created an election and taught the students about the electoral college.  Grace wins in the end and starts her vision for her presidency. This is definitely better suited for school-age students but is a fun story and great introduction to the election process. (Note: this was published before President Obama was elected the first time)  

Activities:
School-Age--Set-up a classroom Election. Have students create a platform, use the electoral college and see what happens.
Preschool--Introduce the US map and the students home state. Introduce the President and his name. Include other books around presidents.

My Colors, My World
Mis Colores, mi mundo
by Maya Christina Gonzalez
Children's Book Press 2011

A beautifully illustrated bilingual book that introduces colors from the viewpoint of this little girl. Originally in Hardback and now also in board book; it is a great addition to any early childhood classroom. This book is laid out to do many lessons around colors for the classroom. 

Luna and the Big Blur
A Story for Children who Wear Glasses 

by Shirley Day
Illustrated by Don Morris
Magination Press 1995

I found out about this book from Prevent Blindness Northern California who goes into the community to do vision screenings for adults and children.  This is a great book about a little girl with glasses. Luna is self-conscious about her glasses and her name and dislikes that she is different. Then, after trying to go a day without using her glasses (thinking her mom's slippers are her cat, etc.), her father helps her embrace her name and her glasses. There is also a little fact sheet in the back about some common eye conditions in children. A nice way to make sure there is another form of inclusion in the classroom.   

During a recent workshop (PACE), a participant created these pipe cleaner glasses as an activity that can be created after reading the book. They even suggested to have the students wear the glasses for the day.  I thought it was a great way to include all students. In addition, this would be great paired before or after a vision screening at preschool.

My Two Grannies

 My Two Grannies 

Written by Floella Benjamin

Illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain

Frances Lincoln Children's Books 2007

My Two Grannies shares the story of the grandparents of a multi-racial little girl (Alvina) in Great Britain with an English father and Trinidadian mother. When her parents head out of town, the two grannies offer to babysit their granddaughter together, they work through their differences and get to know each other in the process. A great way to introduce diversity through showing how a family works together to get along.