Idaho Commission for Libraries

De Colores and Other Latin American Folk Songs for Children, by Jose-Luis Orozco. Illustrated by Elisa Kleven. 1994. 56p. Dutton. ISBN 0-525-45260-5. All ages. A delightful collection of songs for children of all ages. Each song is bilingual. The playful illustrations fit marvelously with the happy tunes.

Ways or activities that could be used to share this book: Spanish-speaking children could learn the song first, then teach it to English-speaking children. English-speaking children can learn and help teach the English-version of the songs to Spanish-speaking children. When all the children know both Spanish & English words to both versions of the songs, let them celebrate and enjoy refreshments from both countries. A year-end program using music from many countries could be presented to parents in the evening. Incorporate dance, the arts, and food from both cultures if possible.

Discussion questions that may help children deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book:

1. Do you think music is a universal language?
2. What is your favorite song and why?
3. Can you tell me some of the words to the song?
4. Can you show me how you would play some of the different rhythm instruments and then demonstrate to me the moods of the music?
5. Do you see how alike they feel and move?

Other book titles that may compliment this book or theme are:

American Folk Songs for Children, by Ruth Crawford Seeger (ISBN: 0825603463)

Songs of Hispanic Americans: An Educator's Resource Book of Folk Songs from the Mexican-American Border, the American Southwest, and Puerto Rico, by Ruth Decesare

We All Sing with the Same Voice, by J. Philip Miller . Illustrated by Paul Meisel.

José-Luis Orozco has recorded several music cassettes and CDs, a new video and another book , Diez Deditos. More information can be found at www.joseluisorozco.com .

Everybody Brings Noodles, by Norah Dooley, Peter J. Thornton. (Illustrator) 2001. Lerner. ISBN 0-87614455-5. Pre-K-3. Another book in this delightful series reflecting the natural assimilation of cultures through foods in a multicultural neighborhood. Other books by the same author/illustrator team are Everybody Bakes Bread, Everybody Cooks Rice, and Everybody Serves Soup.

Ways or activities that could be used to share this book: After reading the story aloud, invite children to bring a favorite family food to share. Have children write about their favorite foods.

Invite students to bring family recipes in and make one or two together. Create a classroom recipe book they can take home and share with others.

Discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book are:

1. What is your favorite family food?
2. Does your family cook special recipes that other people don’t usually have?
3. Why is a neighborhood party a good idea?
4. Would Carrie be a hero and/ or leader? Why?

Other books that compliment this title or theme:

Everybody Bakes Bread, Everybody Cooks Rice, and Everybody Serves Soup, by Norah Dooley.

Bread, Bread, Bread, by Ann Morris

Kids Around the World Cook!: The Best Foods and Recipes from Many Lands, by Arlette N. Braman

Passport on a Plate: A Round-The-World Cookbook for Children, by Diane Simone Vezza

Heroes, by Ken Mochizuki. Illustrated by Dom Lee. 1995. 32p. Lee & Low. ISBN 1-880000-16-4. Gr. 2-6. Donnie is constantly bullied because of his heritage until his war veteran father and uncle come to school one day, dressed in their U.S. military uniforms. The result is a new understanding of Asian Americans. To help build friendships, they encourage the boys to play a friendly game of football instead of war games.

Activities that could be used to share this book are: With the children, create a chart about war. Write down what we know, what would we like to know, and what we want to learn.

Encourage children to research a war hero (heroes can be anyone). Share their hero and what makes them a hero. What would you have done in that situation?

Discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book are:

1. How would this make you feel?
2. What if you went to a different country and they treated you differently? How would you react?
3. How come his friend treated him this way?
4. Why did it change at the end of the story?
5. Do you think Donnie’s dad and uncle are heroes? How about Donnie?

Be sure to check out these other books by the same author: Baseball Saved Us, Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story, and Beacon Hill Boys.

It’s Okay to Be Different, by Todd Parr. 2001. 32p. Little Brown Pub. ISBN 0-316-66603-3. All ages. This book presents diversity in the broadest sense while reassuring our uniqueness. Parr’s bright, simplistic illustrations and poignant messages project a charming humor.

Activities that could be used to share this book: Read the book aloud and have a discussion as you read. Allow the children to notice differences about themselves and others. Talk about how people are alike and the different. Have a display of items (puppets, toys, candy etc.) to compare differences.

Create a class book that continues the story line with each child contributing another thing that is okay to be different about.

Discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book:

On the first page the author shows how losing a tooth is okay. This is something we all children go through, making us different but the same. Point that out to the children.

On certain pages ask questions like: Do you know anyone who wears glasses? They will say who . . . They will see it’s okay. Talk about why people wear the glasses.

Be sure to check out these other books by the same author: The Family Book, The Feeling Book, Things That Make You Feel Good, Do’s and Don’ts, The Okay Book, The Best Friends Book, The Mommy Book.

Morning on the Lake, by Jan Bourdeau Woboose. Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. 1998. 32p. Kid’s Can Press. ISBN 1-55074-373-2. Gr. K-5. From the time Noshen can first remember, Mishomis, Ojibway for grandfather, has been teaching him to observe and respect the many wonders of nature. Morning on the lake is their favorite time, but on this day they go from early morning to nightfall to see even more. The author does an excellent job of capturing the intimacy of a cross-generational relationship.

Activities that could be used to share this book are:

Taking a book walk, where you look at all the illustrations and pictures of the Northwest. Go outside and listen to bird calls. Invite children to experience nature through their senses.

Some discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book are:

- Have you ever done anything special with your grandfather or another relative? - What is your favorite time of day? Why? - What is your favorite part of the book?

Be sure to check out these other books by the same author: Skysisters and Firedancers

America: A Book of Opposites, by W. Nikola-Lisa. Illustrated by Multiple Artists. 1997 24p. Lee & Low Books. ISBN 1-84148-004-5. Pre K. This board book is more than about opposites. Wonderful illustrations reflect a part of America that covers geographical features, people, living conditions, and the America we share.

Activities that could be used to share this book: Look at a map or globe; talk about countries, geography, and languages.

Talk about other opposites.

Learn some of the Spanish words from the book, i.e. Land = Tierra.

Have children draw pictures of their home, or something related to a page in the book.

With the different art style one each page, expose children to pictures or books of art.

Some discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book are:

1. Do you live where it’s cold, high, low, wet, etc.?
2. Read one side; wait for the children’s response. Can you tell me what the opposite word is?

Be sure to check out these other titles by W. Nikola-Lisa: Bein' With You This Way, Can You Top That?, and America: My Land, Your Land, Our Land

Dear Juno, by Soyung Pak. Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung. 1999. 32p. Viking, ISBN 0-670-88252-6. All ages. This is one of the best examples of “reading the world.” Although Juno could not read words, he could read the content clues his grandmother in Korea had sent him in her letters. When his parents read the letters they were surprised at his intuitive accuracy. Juno writes back to grandmother in his own form of communicating. A delightful book.

Activities that could be used to share this book are:

- Invite children to write someone a letter and include pictures or small items that can go along with the letter.

- Explore a pen pal project.

Discussion questions that may help children to deepen their understanding of the story, personalize the story, or reflect on the book are:

1. What would you draw in your letter to tell about something?
2. Do you have someone who lives faraway you like to talk to?
3. Can you think of a special memory of someone?

Be sure to check out these other titles by Soyung Pak: A Place to Grow, and Sumi’s First Day of School Ever

Do you have some story extension ideas for other books from the Building Bridges collection? We'd love to share them. Contact Stephanie Bailey-White at the Idaho Commission for Libraries with your ideas.