It isn't often that my youngest child, my son, will choose a spanish language book for his bedtime story. Federico Dice No is the exception. When it comes hearing a story about the growing pains and joys of similar-aged Federico, my son Lautaro dice si!
The whole series encompasses seven books that follow Federico as he grows, tests his independence, learns to use a potty, becomes a big brother, begins to share and other important events to the preschool set. I love the little clues that tell me Federico lives in Argentina (which is where we bought the series). Federico drinks mate with his abuela. Federico wears La Boca futbol team colors when he goes to "la cancha" (stadium, in Spain, one would say, "estadio").
See the mate and thermos.
Federico Dice No by Graciela Montes is by far my children's favorite of the Federico series. They enjoy chanting "no" along with Federico in response to requests to put on a jacket, take a bath and go to bed. There is a little mouse-like creature that accompanies Federico in each book. In Federico Dice No, whenever Fede says no, little mousey performs an action that demonstrates no (see the book picture). Don't worry, the story has a comforting si ending to the day filled with no.
Please note: any item purchased through my Amazon links generates a commission for my website. Thank you for your support!
Unofficially, Barcelona kicks off the temporada de'estiu (summer season in Catalan) with music. First, Primavera Sound and now Sonar. Officially, Barcelona celebrates the arrival of summer with fireworks, bonfires, midnight swims and correfocs (fire runs) on Sant Joan. Sonar, International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art takes place in Barcelona 17 - 19 June 2010. Last weekend was Sonar Kids - the child/teen friendly Sonar event.
The Chemical Brothers
There are several cool things about this annual Barcelona event. One, the groups performing - The Chemical Brothers, LCD Soundsystem, Air and a line-up that I am sure is impressive if you know more about music than I do (my husband is our house DJ). Two, you don't need to go to a big arena or pavilion. Sonar's daytime performances are held near the MACBA and CCCB in El Raval. Nighttime performances are held at a larger location not in the central part of Barcelona however (but not far away). Three, Sonar is a cultural experience beyond music. Artist showcases and cinema screenings also play a major role at Sonar. And fourth, my favorite, Sonar's advertising.
We have been seeing these ghosts on banners and Estrella Damm beer trucks throughout the city. The ghosts are the stars of a little movie called Finisterrae and promote Sonar 2010.
Many festivals and events in Barcelona focus on preserving tradition, honoring a shared cultural identity, celebrating what generations and generations have done before you. Sonar is a refreshing contrast to the traditonal, saint-related festivals. Sonar is about experimentation; where music and art are going. Celebrated in the same spot, where in a few days people will celebrate the age old festival of Sant Joan with traditional Catalan festivities.
Kids and teens are not forgotten in Barcelona's musical kick-off to the summer season. Primavera Sound had Minimúsica. Sonar has Sonar Kids. On 12-13 June 2010, Sonar Kids is the place to be for hip kids and their (trying to keep their edge) parents. Sonar Kids is a music and creative experience for children/teens and their parents. Last year, we went to the first Sonar Kids in 2009 and had a blast. This year, we won't be able to make it because we'll be doing folk dances at my children's Waldorf school. (What a contrast!)
Sonar Kids 2010 features two days packed with activities, workshops and shows centered around modern music, creativity and technology. Saturday and Sunday's schedule is exactly the same, so there are no worries if the beatbox workshop is at the same time as the Electrotoylets' performance. You can catch each on different days. Like last year, the Sonar Kids village will be at the CCCB and MACBA.
Sonar Kids is great example of modern family leisure. Parents and children can enjoy the same music, dance and create art together. All in a space that is totally structured to the needs of families. Lots of activities cover a wide range of artistic and musical exploration. The sound is adjusted with children's sensitive ears in mind. Areas for parents to chat and have a drink while their teens dance with their friends. A chill out room with diaper changing, nursing and napping areas. Enough to make you feel OK about missing the main Sonar because you can't find a canguro (babysitter).
A celebration of modern Portuguese culture. Find out what is new and hip in Portuguese film, music, photography and architecture... in Barcelona. From the 7th to 12th of June 2010, thanks to the Portuguese Consulate in Barcelona and Turismo de Portugual, Barcelona will host Portugal Convida 2010.
A photography anthology exhibit, titled "Prints and Comments - Portuguese Contemporary Photography" will be shown from 8 June to 15 September 2010 at Fundació Privada Foto Colectania. Participating artists include:Patrícia Almeida, Basque Araújo, Pedro Barateiro, Calçada Rui Bastos, Catarina Botelho, Paulo Catrica, André Cepeda, Nuno Cera, Filipa César, Luisa Cunha, António Júlio Duarte, Alexandre Estrela, João Paulo Feliciano, Ramiro Guerreiro, Miguel Leal, Pedro Letria , Carlos Lobo, Adelina Lopes, Daniel Malhão, Edgar Martins, Paulo Mendes, Duarte Amaral Netto, Joao Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva, Luís Palma, Fernando José Pereira, Mariana Silva, António de Sousa.
For many in Barcelona, Primavera Sound is the official start of summer and of the festival season. This year's Primavera Sound takes place at the Parc del Fòrum and hosts loads of bands. I keep trying to count, but lose track, so check the amazing line-up for yourself here. Big names include: The Charlatans, The Pixies, Pavement Pet Shop Boys, Wilco and Orbital. I would love to see Lee "Scratch" Perry and the Pet Shop Boys on Saturday. But alas, both are playing on separate stages at the same time. Primavera Sound showcases new bands and established bands with different styles and contrasting musical qualities.
One of the more personal stages at Primavera Sound | Photo by: Marta Moreiras
Primavera Sound isn't all about music either. Many parallel activities will take place during the festival. Various stages of art, performances and interactive experiences will help shape the entire Primavera Sound experience. One of the coolest is sure to be, the Adidas Originals stage celebrating El Xupet Negre, one of Barcelona's oldest urban artists, along with 20 urban artists from Paris, Madrid, Austria and Barcelona.
Good news for families. Children under the age of 14 are allowed entrance free with their parents' or guardians' paid ticket. Plus, children have their own festival space at Minimúsica, where they can play and enjoy performances and workshops created especially with children in mind.
La Gallinita Roja, La Bella Durmiente y Blancanieve. Just a few of the many classic children's fairy tales that you can hear in Spanish for free thanks to Cody's Cuentos. We love listening to Cody's Cuentos' podcast and stories online. In fact, I admit to listening to the fairy tales even when my kids are not in the car. Reading and listening to stories in Spanish is one of the best ways to improve your Spanish language ability.
We are a bilingual family (English speaking Mother, Argentine-Spanish speaking Father) raising trilingual children. And no, I am not goofing on my arithmetic. My children are in deed learning (and speaking) a third language. Catalan. Their school is almost entirely taught in Catalan. Catalunya is bilingual - Spanish and Catalan. But for now, back to learning Spanish/ Castellano.
Listening to Cody's Cuento's podcast on the iPod in our car entertains and teaches Spanish vocabulary and grammar without the pressure of studying. Hearing a classic fairy tale in Spanish that we know very well in English, or that they hear at school in Catalan increases their vocabulary much faster than doing vocab exercises. Even if your family speaks only one language at home, you would be surprised how your child can acquire a Spanish vocabulary just by listening to engaging stories in Spanish.
You can find Cody's Cuentos' free podcast on iTunes or listen to episodes on Cody's Cuentos' website. From the website, you may also purchase story transcripts (sometimes with English translation) that include grammar notes and exercises. The stories on Cody's Cuentos are read by professional storytellers from Spain, Argentina and Mexico.
Here is a great excuse to buy your children a new book (or at least, "new to them," which is the best kind): April 23rd is El Diada de Sant Jordi! Also know to English speakers as Saint George. Catalans celebrate Sant Jordi with books and roses. It is the Catalan equivalent to Valentine's Day.
At local bookstores, I have found a great many wonderful books about the legend of Sant Jordi slaying a dragon and saving a princess (don't they all?), but alas, most are in Catalan. Here are some English and Catalan children's books on Sant Jordi/Saint George. And, to keep the saving and slaying stories in perspective, one of our family favorites adds a bit of balance.
"A master of fantasy tells a fanciful tale for young children. Boy works for a Magician, polishing wands, feeding the rabbits, and performing a puppet show of "Saint George and the Dragon." Then, one day, the Saint George puppet is missing, so the Magician sends the Boy through the Land of Story to find it. On his quest, he meets many nursery-rhyme and fairy-tale characters from stories such as "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Little Red Riding Hood," and the "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe." Using the cryptic clue, "Only a child can find the way/To bring Saint George back to the play," the Boy steps forward to save the day. The black-and-white illustrations reflect the whimsy and amazement of the story perfectly. This beautifully simple and joyous book is perfect both for newly independent readers to tackle on their own and for adults to share with youngsters." (School Library Review) –Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI
"Retells the segment from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings peace and joy to the land." (Amazon)
"A beautifully crafted book.." (School Library Journal)
The Paper Bag Princess is definitely on my children's favorite book list. A surprising twist on the usual prince saves the day fairy tale theme. (A thank you nod to my friend RG whose dramatic reading of The Paper Bag Princess I remember every time I read it to my children.) This resourceful princess takes rescue matters into her own hands and makes an important discovery along the way. La Princesa Vestida Con Una Bolsa is the Spanish-language version.
A beautifully-illustrated retelling of the legend of Sant Jordi written in Catalan. You can see more illustrations on the author/illustrator's blog or purchase the book here.
A popular version of Sant Jordi that is widely available in paperback. This book was our first Sant Jordi book, but I still have yet to be able to read it in Catalan. Instead, we look at the pictures and I re-tell the story in English. I am sure that my six-year-old daughter will be able to read it in Catalan before me!
Pinzellades al Món wrote a great list of well-illustrated books about Sant Jordi. This blog, Bibliocolors focuses on children's literature illustrations.
¡Viva el libro! Kick off Sant Jordi celebrations early at the Món Llibre festival hosted at Barcelona's CCCB and MACBA this Saturday and Sunday (17 and 18 April 2010).
Last year the Món Llibre festival was the first festival we attended in Barcelona and I fell in love with it. I was so impressed with the quality of the workshops ("tallers"), interesting performances and the bar for the parents.
2009 Món Llibre Festival
This year's Món Llibre festival marks its fifth year and features over 150 activities to celebrate children's love of reading. There will be storytelling, films, puppet shows, theatrical performances and art workshops for children up to 12 years old.
Trains are really popular in our home. Brio train tracks, wooden train whistles and train ticket stubs can usually be found scattered around my children's bedroom floor. Out of our several train books, the simplest is their favorite.
You have probably read the Caldecott honor book Freight Train by Donald Crews to your kids. Did you know that there is a bilingual edition of Freight Train? Sí, Tren de Carga features Freight Train in English and Spanish side-by-side.
The simple text and illustrations make learning and reinforcing new vocabulary easy for children and great for bilingual learners. If your children love trains like mine, it won't be long until they are reciting the story of this Freight Train's trip along with you. Choo Choo!
Please note: any item purchased through my Amazon links generates a commission for my website. Thank you for your support!
The Barcelona Women's Networkis having a secondhand book and bake sale this Saturday, 20 March 2010 from 10:30 to 2 pm at the Institut d'Estudis Nord-Americans in Barcelona. Along with fiction, reference books and children's books in English, there will be books in other languages and DVDs on sale. The Institut d'Estudis Nord-Americans (IEN) is located at Via Augusta, 123, Barcelona.Proceeds will benefit the Barcelona Women's Network charity work.
