Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English

FOR THE WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child! 

Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English is appropriate for children 4-8 and is a perfect book to curl up on the couch under a blanket with this fall.

Summary:
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English is a collection of poems in Spanish and English, one for each letter of the alphabet describing farms and harvest. The beautiful book from author Alma Flor Ada is perfect alongside the traditional style paintings of Simon Silva on each page, drenched in bold, warm colors which help bring the poetry to life.

Practice this Comprehension Strategy-Take a Picture Walk/Sequencing:
As you read through Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English, use the beautiful paintings to ask your child what they think that page's poem might be about. For an older child, you can also try sequencing and working on alphabetical order. Help your child remember what letter was on the previous page and try to figure out what letter the poem on the next page will start with.

Do this with your child:
Read through the poems in Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English in the language you are more comfortable with, then try the other language. Practice the titles of each poem in English and Spanish with your child. It's a good possibility that you will both be exposed to something new and different. It's okay if you're unsure of some of the words, that is how we learn!

If you're interested in sharing Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English with your child you can find it from Harper Collins Publishers here.

Like illustrator Simon Silva on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Grandma's Chocolate / El Chocolate de Abuelita

FOR THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND, share this fun title with your child and their grandparent or special friend!

(2010, Pinata Books/Arte Publico Press) 

Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita is appropriate for ages 5-8. 

Summary:
In Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita, Grandma comes to visit Sabrina all the way from Mexico. She and Sabrina open her suitcase full of surprises and explore the culture found within. They play dress up as a Mayan princess, make music with traditional instruments and most exciting for Sabrina, she learns all about the special chocolate from the Mayan and Aztec cultures. 

Practice this Comprehension Strategy--Compare and Contrast:
Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita explores the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Sabrina's Grandma shares stories and traditions of their culture. Compare the similarities and contrast the differences between their culture and your own. Are there princesses, special traditions, foods, instruments or songs that are unique to your culture? How are they similar to Sabrina's? How are they different? 

Do this with your child:
When Sabrina's Grandma visits in Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita, she brings a suitcase full of goodies. Ask your child about what their grandparent's have brought for them when they visit. Or, like Sabrina's drawing for Grandma, does your child bring anything to give to their grandparents? For an extra project, have your child draw a picture for their grandparent or special friend and send it in the mail to them as a special surprise of their own.

You can find Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita from the publisher Arte Publico/Pinata Books here.

We've teamed up with Hanna Andersson to bring you our Instagram Contest going on from August 31, 2015-September 13, 2015. Enter your post in honor of Grandparent's Day for your chance to win! See full contest rules at http://www.thehannablog.com/

4 Winners will Receive:

• RAR tote bag with 5 Grandparent Themed books (including Grandma's Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuelita with a special thanks to Arte Publico/Pinata Books) 
• $100 Hanna Andersson gift Card
• 1 pair of Hanna Jammies