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This Month’s Book: Book Fiesta!
This month’s selection, Book Fiesta! is a bilingual presentation of happy children with books, having reading adventures in fun settings throughout the day. The combined creative genius of author, Pat Mora, and illustrator, Rafael López, highlights the beautiful array of cultures and diversity in the world, and within the communities we live in. Book Fiesta! is inspired by Children’s Day, Book Day, recognized on April 30th as a celebration of all children, emphasizing the importance of connecting children to languages, cultures, and books every day.
In Book Fiesta! Pat Mora writes, “Our families tell us stories while we listen and play.” Each family has unique stories and traditions, which contribute to the collective story of our world. Share family stories with your children! If you need inspiration, show your child photographs from your own childhood and talk about them.
Start your day with an exercise to boost brain activity: sing a song! Try singing the José-Luis Orozco song “Good Morning/Buenos Días” in English and Spanish for extra brain boosting power.
Good Morning / Buenos Días
(Sing to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Good morning, good morning
How are you? How are you?
Very well, I thank you,
Very well, I thank you,
How about you?
How about you?Buenos días, buenos días,
¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo estás?
Muy bien, gracias,
Muy bien, gracias,
¿Y usted?
¿Y usted?
Sing along with José-Luis Orozco!
Activity 1: In Book Fiesta! Pat Mora shows us that we can enjoy books everywhere: in a hot air balloon; while riding an elephant; even underwater in a submarine! As you go about your day, bring a book to share with your child while at the park, or waiting in line.
Activity 2: Each page of Book Fiesta! shows children reading in a different setting. As you read the book with your child, take time to enjoy the vibrant illustrations and talk about the story.
- Ask your child to help you find all the books on each page.
- Encourage your child to talk about the animals and the various modes of transportation. For example: “How did that giraffe get so high in the sky! Do giraffes know how to fly?”
- After you read the book, ask your child to show you their favorite page.
Activity 3: Explore books that embrace diversity and acceptance! Check out these titles at your local Pima County Public Library.
- The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water by Gemma Merino
- Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang
- Global Baby: Bedtimes by Maya Ajmera
- Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown
Celebrate Children’s Day, Book Day playing games your child loves to play. Make funny faces for your baby during tummy time! Have a dress-up dance party with your toddler! Help your preschooler build a fort! According to research, “Play builds the foundation for a lifetime of learning.” (Dr. Rachel E. White, The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning)
Activity: The laughter of children is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Playing with bubbles is a fun way to inspire giggles from children of all ages.
- Experiment with various kitchen utensils as bubble wands and let your child observe the differences. For instance, using a potato masher to blow bubbles has an interesting effect that is different from using a cookie cutter, or a funnel.
- Construct bubbles wands with your child! A simple wand can be made with yarn and straws. String yarn through two straws and tie the ends together leaving enough yarn between the two straws to form a square, or rectangle. Pipe cleaners can be twisted into various shapes for bubble wands also. Notice that no matter what shape you make; the bubbles will become round as they float through the air.
- Play a game with the bubbles! Take turns popping bubbles with different body parts. While playing, say the name of the body parts and describe the bubbles to support your child’s vocabulary development. Use all the languages spoken at home. For example: “The bubble is floating towards you. Wow! You just popped the bubble, con su codo, with your elbow! I am going to pop a bubble with my knee, mi rodilla.”
Join the Conversation!
Share your experience with Book Fiesta! and be entered into a raffle to win next month’s C2C Book Club title! For example, you could:
- Tell us about your child’s favorite part of the story.
- Send a video of you sharing the book together, or singing the Good Morning song.
- Send a picture of you and your playing with bubbles!
Share your photos and videos with us on Twitter and Instagram and be sure to tag Make Way for Books. For example:
@mwfbaz I made a homemade book about shapes! I read it to my baby today while waiting for the bus. #storytime
Or email us your photo or video at info@makewayforbooks.org.
Be creative! We can’t wait to see what you loved about Book Fiesta!