Region: Puerto Rico

How The Sea Began: A Taino Myth

The gourd containing the bow and arrow of the great departed hunter Yayael produces a torrent of water that becomes the world’s ocean.
Other Descriptors: Folklore, Myth, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates

On an island called Puerto Rico a boy named Roberto Clemente dreamed of nothing but winning at baseball. With no money–but plenty of determination–Clemente practiced on muddy fields with a glove made from a coffee sack. Little League became minor league, which turned into winter league and, finally, he made it to the major leagues! [...]
Other Descriptors: Biography, Caribbean, Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Feliz Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad: Christmas Feasts of the Hispanic Caribbean

Maricel E. Presilla takes us on a journey through the history of Christmas in the Hispanic islands. As she describes all of the foods of Christmas Day, she tells us about the peoples from around the world who brought their ingredients and recipes to the table. Presilla gives us carefully tested recipes that allow readers [...]
Other Descriptors: Cuba, Haiti, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Nonfiction » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Juan Bobo Goes To Work: A Puerto Rican Folk Tale

What can you do with a boy who tries to do things right but only leaves disaster in his wake? Laugh–that’s what! Readers everywhere will love to laugh at the hilarious antics of the ever-blundering Juan Bobo, Puerto Rico’s most celebrated fold character. In this rollicking Juan Bobo tale, our hero sets out to [...]
Other Descriptors: Folklore, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , » Leave a comment

Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa

Emily is a Jewish girl from the suburbs of New York, end of story. Her mother has family in Puerto Rico, but Emily has never had any contact with them–not until she’s forced to go to the Caribbean for her grandmother’s funeral. Pampered Emily wants nothing to do with her Puerto Rican heritage– until a [...]
Other Descriptors: Realistic Fiction, United States of America, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Nilda

A young girl growing up in Spanish Harlem in the 1940’s watches the secure world of her childhood years slowly erode away.
Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), United States of America » Themes: , , , , » 1 Comment

Julia

A story of a girl, Julia Burgos, born into a humble Puerto Rican family in 1914. With beautiful illustrations, it re-creates the time in which she grew up, and narrates how Julia Burgos became one of Puerto Rico’s and Latin America’s most beloved poets.
Other Descriptors: Americas, Biography, Poetry, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Comments closed

Sergio And The Hurricane

A young boy is excited when he ears that a hurricane is coming to his oceanfront home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but when it comes, he learns how dangerous hurricanes can be.
Other Descriptors: Americas, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Realistic Fiction » Themes: , » Comments closed
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      Exploring a Sense of Belonging through Literature

      We are excited to announce a special children’s literature mini-conference on Thursday, March 11, 4:00-9:00 p.m. in the Kiva, College of Education, University of Arizona. The conference is free and open to the public and Professional Development Credit is available for teachers.

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