Alma Flor Ada

Stories to Celebrate Series
Series Cuentos para celebrar

12 books in English
2 CDs in English
12 Books in Spanish
2 CDs in Spanish

Books Descriptions

Each of the twenty four books in this collection is dedicated to some of the most important holidays and festivities celebrated in the United States in the combination of two books in one. The first part is an engaging realistic fiction story beautifully illustrated by a diversity of illustrators. The second part is a non-fiction piece that explains the history and significance of the holiday or celebration. This second part is illustrated with bright and unique photographs that will allow children to witness the celebration.

The celebrations depicted in the books give testimony to the multicultural tapestry of the society of the United States. Cultures are far more than celebrations, but a look at the way in which different people celebrate can help us to discover the commonalities among people. People from all cultures in the world celebrate, and while the expression of the celebrations may be different, their essence is common to all human beings, since all cultures celebrate family, historical significant moments, particular achievements, moments of hope.

This series will facilitate that children develop an appreciation for the cultural diversity of the society of the United States. It fosters appreciation for the richness offered by diversity and for the importance of unity within diversity.

The fact that each book presents fiction and non-fiction texts may facilitate children understanding their own differences and complementariness.

The titles of the series are:

VALUES

There are universal values presented in each book of the series. These are examples of some of them

Family

Powwow, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, Halloween & Day of the Dead

Generosity/Solidarity

among family members: Kwanzaa
among siblings: Christmas and Three Kings Day, Hannukah
among friends: St. Patrick’s Day

Search for a just and equal society

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Celebration of one’s cultural identity

Cinco de mayo, Hannukah, Powwow, Kwanzaa

Passing on a cultural inheritance & its values

through celebrations : Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year
through teachings: Kwanzaa
through traditional stories: Hannukah
through music & dance: St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo

Appreciation of unity within diversity

Fourth of July, Mardi Gras

Richness of a variety of traditions within a multicultural society

All books in the series

LESSON PLANS

Lesson plans and questions to guide the Creative Reading Dialogue can be found at the SantillanaUSA website.

CDS DESCRIPTIONS

There are two CDs with the readings of the twelve stories in English and two CDs with the readings of the twelve stories in Spanish.

The CDs will allow children to follow a professional reading aloud individually or in groups.

They can be beneficial to children learning a second language, whether English or Spanish, since they will be able to read the book in their stronger language and then listen to the recording in the second language, or vice versa.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Creating this series with Isabel Campoy was a most meaningful project. We wanted to give all children the opportunity to know more

READERS’ RESPONSES

If you have enjoyed reading or sharing these books, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.