Sunday, April 6, 2008

Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes

Book Title: Pio Peep! Spanish Traditional Nursery Rhymes
Authors: Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy
English Adaptation: Alice Schertle
Genre: Poetry
Characters: An Assortment

Summary: The collection of 29 nursery rhymes as presented in this bilingual book will please the young as they listen and sing rhymes that cover many subjects, including animals, children, and home. The authors stated that some of the rhymes and songs came from Spain to America. They selected some of their childhood favorites to include in this book. The watercolor illustrations are very colorful and will appeal to young and old.

Comments: The children will enjoy hearing the poems read in Spanish and in English. Children will see their culture and traditions presented in a warm and positive manner. If you do not speak both languages, the children will be pleased to have a mom or volunteer read to them in the second language. This book is appropriate and recommend for the classroom. It is appropriate for toddlers to adults.

1 comment:

Alma Flor Ada said...

Thanks for the gentle review of our book Pio Peep! We indeed enjoyed very much making these beloved nursery rhymes accessible to children in the United States both in English and Spanish. The warm reception the book has had, and its several reprints, tell us that indeed they are being enjoyed. To pass on creations that have been alive for centuries is very satisfactory, a way of acknowledging what we received and an expression of gratitude for the enjoyment that language can provide. MAMA GOOSE is another treasury of oral folklore in both languages that was fun to put together. The recently published MERRY NAVIDAD collects Christmas carols organizing them along the various moments related to these cultural festivities. My daughter Rosalma Zubizarreta was able to create English versions that still allow to be sang. Congratulations to the professor who has created this blog and to the students who are writing the reviews. A useful service for all of us who love children's books. With appreciation, in friendship, Alma Flor Ada