Abecedario
de los animales
by Alma Flor Ada
This book offers two poems for each letter of the alphabet. One poem centers on the featured animal, while the other focuses on the letter itself, playfully exploring associated sounds and shapes and meaningful words. Teachers and children have delighted on this book which has become one of Alma Flor’s classics, with numerous reprints both in hardcover and paperback. Viví Escrivá whimsical illustrations contribute to make this book a favorite welcoming present for a new born child, a special birthday present or simply a book that belongs in the library of every child who speaks or is learning to speak Spanish.
Abecedario cassette by Alma Flor Ada and Suni Paz
The accompanying cassette complements the book, facilitating children’s retention of the poems. Drawing on her broad knowledge of the Hispanic musical tradition, Suni Paz has turned each of the alphabet poems into a delightful song. The songs encompass a wide range of Latin American and Spanish rhythms, and provide an outstanding introduction to Latino children’s vast musical heritage. The tape also includes an original ABC song, a gift from Alma Flor and Suni to children and teachers.
Author’s Note : The ABC has always held great appeal for me. I love that it is such a wonderful tool for organizing things. I am a lover and collector of ABC books, so it is not a surprise that I have written a few.
This particular ABC was born out of my desire to do something
special for a special child, Emilio, the son of Kuki Miller and Daniel Divinski,
two wonderful Argentinian friends. Emilio was visiting San Francisco for the
first time, and I had been looking forward meeting this child, but feel victim
of the most vicious flu. It was frustrated to be in bed and not able to meet the
child and take him and his mother to see the city. To try to give him something,
I began creating poems about the letters and sharing them with him on the phone.
This was the inspiration for the book.
At a different level this book is very important to me
because it was the beginning of my professional association with someone I held
in great esteem, Felicidad Orquín. A specialist in Children’s Literature, and
a remarkable author, Felicidad was at the time the Director of the Children’s
Literature Section of Espasa-Calpe in Madrid, and was the person who offered me
a contract to publish this book. Since then we have become friends, but this
book was out first contact. The book is the product of her vision who selected
Viví as the illustrator and designed the parameters for the book design. The
collaboration with Viví on the creation of the book, and with Suni Paz on the
creation of the tape have been extraordinary joys in my life.
Teachers’
and children’s responses :
My great love for this book derives, of course, of the extraordinary response it
has had from teachers and children. It has been wonderful to visit schools and
see how children knew the poems by heart, and could recite or sang them. Once in
the outstanding Author’s Fair of St. Helena’s Elementary School, in St.
Helena, California, the children perform the book on stage, holding big signs
with the letters and moving to a wonderful choreography. I also have many
children made versions of the book.
Even more exciting is the fact that many children have been
inspired to write their own ABC poems after reading this book. That is the
greatest of all rewards!
Illustrated
by Viví Escrivá.
Book
Published by Espasa-Calpe (Madrid, Spain), Cassette Music and voice by Suni
Paz, Published by Del Sol Publishing (Westlake, Ohio).
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