Guest Blogger: Karen Fischer

In April we have so much to celebrate…Libraries, Poetry, Child Abuse Prevention and, of course, Day of the Child/Day of the Book (or Día)! How will you celebrate this month?

Salem took Stayton Public Library’s Non-Fiction Challenge idea and challenged children and teens to read or listen to a variety of non-fiction during March. Families loved discovering the many fascinating non-fiction books, and staff are amazed how much space there is on the non-fiction shelves right now. Children who met their goal will spend April stopping in to choose a free book, thanks to a local grant.

The following is a short column encouraging folks to display and read bilingual books. At Salem, Spanish/English is where we have the most patron interest. Your library may feature other languages.

Celebrate Children/Celebrate Books!
By Marya Hunsinger, Salem Public Library

Day of the Child/ Day of the Book is celebrated at the end of April each year.  Why not feature bilingual books from your library’s collection? Día del Niño / Día del Libro se celebra a finales de abril de cada año. ¿Por qué no sacar un libro bilingüe de nuestra colección? Here are a few Salem Public Library is featuring this month:

Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia by Laura Lacámara

What it’s about / De qué se trata: A Cuban girl transforms her long and unruly hair into a tree, adding mud and plants from her land.  When Dalia wakes up the next day, her hair has become a butterfly tree!  Una chica cubana transforma su pelo largo e indisciplinado en un árbol, agregando barro y plantas de su tierra. Cuando Dalia se despierta al día siguiente, su pelo se ha convertido en un árbol de mariposas!

What we think:  In this whimsical bilingual picture book, Dalia's hair becomes a magical force of nature, a life-giving cocoon, and the final page gives hints for how to create a butterfly garden! En este caprichoso libro bilingüe, el pelo de Dalia se convierte en una fuerza mágica de la naturaleza, un capullo que da vida, y la última página  da sugerencias para cómo crear un jardín de mariposas!

Short and Tall, An Animal Opposites Book /Chicos y altos: Un libro de animales opuestos  by Nathan Olson

What it’s about/ De qué se trata: This book introduces the concepts of short and tall with full-color photographs and simple sentences that help listeners and beginning readers understand the texts and concepts introduced through animal opposites. Este libro introduce los conceptos de chico y alto con fotografías a todo color y oraciones simples que ayudan a los oyentes y lectores principiantes a entender los textos y conceptos introducidos a través de los animales contrarios.

What we think / Lo que pensamos: The photographs contribute to the book’s appeal. Fascinating “Did You Know?” sections provide fun facts about key animal traits to entice readers into further learning. Las fotografías contribuyen al atractivo de los libros. Fascinante "¿Sabias que?" secciones proporcionan datos divertidos acerca de los rasgos claves de animales para atraer a los lectores en el aprendizaje adicional.

Cool Salsa, Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States/ Poemas bilingües de crecer hispano en EEUU by Lori M. Carlson

What it’s about/ De qué se trata:  Here are the sights, sounds and smells of Latino culture in the United States in thirty-six bilingual, moving, angry, beautiful and varied voices. Aquí están las vistas, sonidos y olores de la cultura latina en los Estados Unidos en treinta y seis voces bilingües, emocionadas, enojadas, bellas y variadas.

What we think / Lo que pensamos:  Each poem helps us to discover what it is like to grow up Hispanic in America.  This collection is aimed at adolescent readers, as many of the poems present the problems faced by Hispanics at school, during hard times, and in looking to the future. Cada poema nos ayuda a descubrir lo que es crecer hispano en América. Esta colección está dirigida a lectores adolescentes, ya que muchos de los poemas presentan los problemas de los hispanos en la escuela, en tiempos difíciles y en mirar hacia el future.