Rubia and the Three Osos

Rubia and the Three Osos by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Disney Hyperion Books, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4231-1252-5
This is simply the retelling (mostly) of The Three Little Bears, with a few Spanish words thrown in, but it is one of my new favorite books! I read this with first graders and they had the best time figuring out what the Spanish words meant (they could figure out that osos meant bears because they were familiar with the classic fairy tale). What a clever idea, and it made the students feel smart too!
I read this along with Mice and Beans in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to reading both of these books to students again!
Visit the author's website here.

Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day by Pat Mora

Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day: a bilingual picture book by Pat Mora, illus by Rafael Lopez, Harper Collins Publishers, 2009, ISBN 978-0-06-128877-7
El dia de los ninos y el dia de los libros!
A book simply about children reading books, and all the ways and forms reading can take. As the story progresses, the imagination expands (going from reading in the car to reading while sailing with a whale). Colorful, whimsical illustrations are perfect for creating a celebratory, multicultural feeling.
"Then, snug in our beds, we read to the moon...and fly away in our books!"
The author's letter in the back of the book reminds us that every single child is special. She also advocates connecting children and books. Mexico is smart enough to celebrate El dia de los ninos on April 30. Great idea! Now, says Mora, add books to the party. The author goes on to say: "Since 1996, librarians, teachers, parents and people who want to share 'bookjoy' have been planning book fiestas- events that link children to books, languages, and cultures. Together we are growing a nation of readers." Mora includes ideas for celebrating this day. For a school library: children can dress in their favorite book character. Have them decorate a sturdy box to store their home library. Add storytellers and puppets to the festivities. Bright colors are a must!

What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

What Can You Do wirh a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla, illus by Magaly Morales, Trucycle Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-58246-221-9
Publisher's Summary: A young Mexican American girl celebrates the paleta, an icy fruit popsicle, and the many roles it plays in her lively barrio.
Wonderful introduction to Latino foods, neighborhoods, and everyday life.
This book is mentioned in a nice blog called Latin Baby Book Club. All kinds of information here about the Latino culture.
Also by this author: What Can You Do with a Rebozo?

Pele: King of Soccer by Monica Brown

Pele: King of Soccer/El Rey del Futbol: a bilingual picture book by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, Harper Collins, 2009, ISBN 978-0-06-122779-0
"...Watch as he runs across the field like a cheetah, dribbling like a dancer...". So begins the story of one of the world's most famous soccer (futbol or football) players. As the story traces his roots which begin in a poor Brazilian town, using a grapefruit for a soccer ball, Pele promises his father: "I will win the World Cup for you one day." Pele's little team could not afford shoes, and earned the nickname: Barefoot Team. But they kept winning! Follow Pele from his Barefoot Team to the World Cup match. Be inspired by this famous athlete who helped spread the game of soccer to much of the world. Read about the one thing he did that no other soccer player has ever done.
Wild colorful illustrations help tell this story, adding flavor and excitement to the pages. All the words of the book are presented in both English and Spanish.
Learn more about Pele at Encyclopedia.com.

Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Paula Wiseman book (Simon & Schuster), 2010, ISBN 978-1-4169-3505-6.
The story of a remarkable woman, Wangari Maathai, the FIRST African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the FIRST woman in central or eastern Africa to earn a PhD, the FIRST woman to become the head of any department (in her case, veterinary medicine) at any university in Kenya. She taught the women of Kenya to "plant trees" and in doing so, restored strength and peace to her country and its people. The author states in the Afterword: "Maathai's work is the embodiment of the Kenyan notion of 'harambee'--the spirit of pulling together for the common good." Napoli does a wonderful job of conveying this sense of community in this beautifully written story of a very wise woman. Kadir Nelson's collages are colorful, interesting, and the perfect way to illustrate this simple, peaceful story. It's a strong reminder that one person can do one thing to make a big difference.

The Remembering Stone by Barbara Timberlake Russell

The Remembering Stone by Barbara Timberlake Russell and Claire B. Cotts, Melanie Kroupa Books, 2004, ISBN 0-374-36242-4
Summary: As a young girl and her mother watch the flocks of blackbirds preparing for their journey south, the mother dreams of returning to Costa Rica, where she was born. In the book, the child has a shiny black rock as a remembering stone; the rock is hardened lava from Costa Rica.
Use with The Memory String by Eve Bunting.