Primary (ages 6-9)

Material appropriate for primary age groups

The Twins and the Bird of Darkness: A Hero Tale from the Caribbean

When a benevolent king and his daughter, Princess Marie, find their peaceful kingdom threatened by an enormous, evil, seven-headed bird, the brave princess offers herself as the bird’s hostage in order to prevent the entire kingdom from being thrust into eternal darkness. As soon as Soliday, a kindhearted, hardworking, and generous youth hears about the princess’s sacrifice, he vows to kill the Bird of Darkness and save Marie. His identical twin brother — the jealous, lazy, and dishonest Salacotta — accompanies Soliday on the dangerous journey, but doesn’t lift a finger in order to rescue the princess or slay the monstrous bird. And the second Salacotta sees his chance to claim that he was the one who freed the princess, he does just that. Will Soliday be able to convince everyone that he is indeed who he says? Will his brother admit his treachery? Will Soliday ever be able to trust his twin again? This timeless and resonant folktale about the forces of good and evil and the redemptive power of brotherly love is the perfect story for the ages.

Doctor Bird: Three Lookin’ Up Tales from Jamaica

Doctor Bird is one smart hummingbird! When he sees Mongoose stealing food, he drops a weather goofball on her house and really teaches that thief a lesson. When Mouse’s home is destroyed by a storm, Doctor Bird teaches him to keep his head up. And when Owl plans to crash a party dressed like Doctor Bird, Doctor Bird teaches him to be himself–and be proud of it. Presented in the rich storytelling tradition and lush colors of the West Indies, these three tales remind readers that it’s always best to look up when problems land at your feet. Jamaicans believe Doctor Bird has magical powers, and if you don’t believe them, just ask Mongoose, Mouse and Owl!

Pio Peep! Book and Cd

A collection of more than two dozen nursery rhymes in Spanish, from Spain and Latin America, with English translations.

 

Antonio’s Card/La Tarjeta De Antonio

With Mother’s Day coming, Antonio finds he has to decide about what is important to him when his classmates make fun of the unusual appearance of his mother’s partner, Leslie.

Soledad Sigh-Sighs/Soledad Suspiros

Soledad’s friends help her discover the many things that she can do to entertain herself when she is alone in her apartment.

The Turtle and the Two Ducks: Animal Fables Retold from La Fontaine

The fables of La Fontaine are one of the great treasures of French literature. Based on Aesop’s legendary tales, La Fontaine’s stories capture the charm, the humor, and the wisdom of the seventeenth century. This book offers prose adaptations of the fables of La Fontaine’s most beloved poems.