Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with Samantha and Lola
Celebra el Día de San Patricio con Samantha y Lola
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Story:
Samantha loves Irish dancing, wigs, costumes, and all! She is ready for the school talent show. Her catchy enthusiasm motivates her friend, Lola, to learn a step or two. “One step at a time” Lola learns more and more.
Little does she know that Samantha has a Saint Patrick’s Day surprise in store!
Non-fiction:
An overview of the history and celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with interesting and colorful photographs.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
Each of the twenty four books in this collection dedicated to some of the most important holidays and festivities celebrated in the United States is 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 festivities addressed include:
- Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Celebrate PowWow
- Celebrate Chinese New Year
- Celebrate Halloween & Day of the Dead
- Celebrate Mardi Gras
- Celebrate Thanksgiving
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
- Celebrate Hannukah
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
- Celebrate Kwanzaa
- Celebrate Fourth of July
- Celebrate Christmas & Three Kings Day
For more details in the series and the values it presents see the series description: Series Stories to Celebrate / Cuentos para celebrar. There is also an individual page, like this, for each of the books in the series.
Lesson plans and questions to guide the Creative Reading Dialogue can be found on the SantillanaUSA website: www.santillanausa.com/cuentosparacelebrar.htm
CDS DESCRIPTION
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
Since I am one of the two authors of this book, I can share my side of the story. You can visit www.isabelcampoy.com to read what the other author has to say.
Throughout my life many of my books have been inspired first by my four children, and lately by my nine grandchildren. Samantha, the second oldest of my nine grandchildren was for several years a dedicated dancer of Irish dance. This book was inspired by her.
Both Isabel Campoy and I had the opportunity to see her dance in various cities throughout the United States. Her enthusiasm, the quality of her performance, and the exciting experience of seeing so many girls participating in these Feshes, as Irish dance meets are called, were wonderful support at the time of writing this book. It is easier, and more meaningful to write, about things one has experienced or knows well.
This book also honors the spirit of generosity that I have always celebrated in my children and grandchildren, and that, for me, is one of the greatest treasures. I am very thankful to my daughter in law, Denise Zubizarreta, by her assistance during the preparation of this book. Her photos contributed to the authenticity of the beautiful costumes depicted in this book.
Many readers are intrigued about how two authors collaborate to write a book. If you share this curiosity you may enjoy reading how Isabel Campoy explains this experience in the chapter authored by her “Writing in Collaboration: One plus One is One or Two” in the book Alma Flor Ada and You, volume II published by Libraries Unlimited.
CONNECTIONS
Students reading this book in Spanish may enjoy this poem from Días y días de poesía:
El Día de San Patricio
Alma Flor Ada
¿Qué les parece?
Todos me han pellizcado
sólo por haberme vestido
de rosado.
El próximo St. Patrick’s
me vestiré de verde.
Y pobre el que se vista
de morado.
READERS’ RESPONSES
If you have enjoyed reading or sharing this book, I would very much like to hear from you. Please click here to send your comments.
