A Pinata in a Pine Tree by Pat Mora

It is almost my favorite time of the year and to celebrate I thought I would include this book based on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" ...but with a twist!

Suggested Grade Level: K-5

Summary: This story is a variation of the well-known Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. However, the book replaces the partridges and other traditional gifts with pinatas, burritos bailando, and more!  

Connections: How would you include this text in your classroom? This book is a great choice to include in your classroom around the holidays! It can be used in a number of ways. Including counting, pronunciation, using context clues and making predictions. This really is a wonderful book for kids of all ages! Here is a link to another blog I found, that goes into this book more in depth.

Available in  English, Spanish

 Click here to find this book on Amazon!

Antonio's Card: La Tarjeta de Antonio by Rigoberto Gonzalez

Suggested Grade Level: 1-3

Summary: Antonio is a boy who loves words. He is amazed by all the things we can express because of words. When Mother's Day comes, Antonio wants to write to his mother and her partner Leslie. However, Antonio is teased by his classmates. 

Connections: How would you include this text in your classroom? This book is a great choice to include in your classroom. It can be used to discuss how different family structures may be, and promote acceptance among students. The book could also be used as  a writing prompt, or around Mother's Day. Here is a link to a teacher's guide to this book.

Available in  English, Spanish

 Click here to find this book on Amazon!

My Grandparents and I: Mis Abuelos y Yo by Samuel Caraballo

Suggested Grade Level: K-2

Summary: This book not only is descriptive but has beautiful illustrations to support  the text! This tells the story of a boy and the role his grandparents play in his life. The text rhymes, and creates a very fun book that is great to read out loud. The book describes different things the boy and his grandparents to together, including going to the museum, and playing in the backyard. 

Connections: How would you include this text in your classroom? This book could be used in your class when discussing poetry, rhythm or verse. It also is a great opportunity to encourage students to write about their families, and things they do with their loved ones. 

Available in  English, Spanish

 Click here to find this book on Amazon!

Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman; Illustrated by Will Terry

This is a great story to include in a lesson or in your classroom! I used this with my first grade student and she loved it. The illustrations are beautiful and the writing style is so fun and creative.

Suggested Grade Level: K-3

Summary: This book is a fun twist to the classic gingerbread story. Senorita Gordita is made and jumps off the frying pan and runs away! She continues to run as she encounters a number of animals that want to eat her in the desert. She yells to the animals "You'll never catch me!"and with a "flip, and a skip, and a zip-zoom-zip" she gets away! 

Connections: How would you include this text in your classroom? This book could be used in your class when learning about different animals, food, sequencing, retelling, or discussing folklores/fairytales. This truly is  a book that can be used in many different ways!

Available in  English, Spanish

and more.
 Click here to find this book on Amazon!

Lucy's Family Tree by Karen Halvorsen Schreck

Suggested Grade Level: 3-6

Summary: Lucy doesn't want to do an school assignment of creating a family tree. Lucy didn't want others to know that she was adopted from Mexico. However, Lucy learns that every family is different and that is something to celebrate. 

Connections: How would you include this text in your classroom? This book could be used in your class when discussing families, types of families and family trees/heritage. 

Available in  English, Spanish

 Click here to find this book on Amazon!