Celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead with Cristina and her Blue Bunny
Celebra el Halloween y el Día de Muertos con Cristina y su conejito azul
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Story:
It’s Halloween but Cristina is very sad and doesn’t feel like putting on a costume and going trick-or-treating because she’s lost her favorite stuffed animal, her blue bunny. During the celebration of the Day of the Dead, her parents teach her about a unique way to deal with the pain of the loss of a loved one.
Non-fiction:
An overview of the history of Halloween and the Day of the Dead and activities on these days, with numerous informative 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
Many of my books have been inspired by my children and grandchildren. My granddaughter Cristina had a blue bunny, a stuffed toy that she had cherished since she was a baby. Because Blue Bunny accompanied her everywhere on several occasions her mother decided that Blue Bunny needed to go in the washing machine. And with each wash there was less blue in Blue Bunny, and really less of Blue Bunny in general. But no matter how skinny and pale Blue Bunny became, Cristina’s love was unfaltering… and then, one day, Blue Bunny got lost.
While thinking of a child’s loss for this book, Blue Bunny seemed the most appropriate.
Cristina is also the inspiration and protagonist of my book Cristina and the Frog or Cristina y la rana, where her photo, kissing a frog, can be seen. The book is the story of a child who kisses a frog hoping it will turn into a girl to play with… only to be disappointed when all she gets is a froggy baby sister.
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.
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
This book can be correlated with another Halloween book: What are Ghosts Afraid of? or El susto de los fantasmas from the series Stories the Year ‘Round or Cuentos para todo el año.
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.
