Arroz con leche

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Summary: A savory taste of Latin American "canticos"
Review: "Arroz Con Leche" is an enchanting book filled with songs and rhymes that are heard throughout Latin America. They bring nostalgia to Latino readers and give non-latino readers the sense of passion and joy the Latin American culture is filled with. These are typical verses that most Latin American children are conforted with in their sleep, sung about in the streets as they play, or whispered gently into their ears as they are rocked in their mother's arms. This book has been extremely special in our family, since as a child my siblings and I have been nurtured with these songs and rhymes. Having the book to share with the next generation is such a wonderful experience because the tradition of these songs can continue on even if we are not in our native land. The pictures are just so vivid; I can see my uncle with his straw hat sitting in the bench next to the little neighborhood market just how the book shows it. The colors used and the situations depicted are true to the Latin American culture. All the components of the book are so spectacular that I'm not sure how to distinguish which is my favorite; the songs which are both in english and spanish (I think that is so helpful, especially for those who do not speak spanish but who would like to expose their children to the Latin American culture), the enchanting pictures that go along with the event in the song/rhyme, or the musical notes that accomany the songs in the back of the book. It's fun to be able to play the guitar or piano along with the songs because it brings them to life and makes them much more fanciful. I have not found a Latin American children's book of songs so complete and entertaining as this one has been. All of Lulu Delacre's Latin American children's folksongs and tales are so magnificant, I have presented them to my Children's Literature class in college and those students with children were so impressed with it that many of them went out and bought them for their own children. If you are seeking typical Latin American children's folksongs, you should with no doubt get this book, it will fill you and your child with so much joy that you will want to go out and get Delacre's other Latin American children's books. I recommend this book to the young and the old, it will charm everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Excellente! Wonderful!
Review: Another great book By Lulu Delacre. It surely made me miss my times in Puerto Rico when my mom and my Grandma used to sing to me these songs. It is a treasure to have, beautifully written, bilingual, and very educational. You will not be dissapointed, and you will have the chance to learn something new, or remember some things you have forgotten, and hold them dear once again. Share it with your kids!

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Summary: get real bilingual singers!
Review: I grew up speaking both Spanish and English in NYC, and wanted to share some of the songs I grew up with, with my newborn daughter. I am going to throw this cassette out to ensure she does not pronounce Spanish like a she learned it in high school. A truly wonderful bilingual CD/tape is De Colores by Orozco. His book by the same title is also wonderful.

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Summary: Traditions for Children
Review: I like this book because it teaches children the culture of their ancestors. I don't think many Latino children are learning these nursery rhymes and songs these days and it's sad. The book is nice and I can't say anything bad about the book itself. I prefer to have just the book as the cassette that comes with this book really annoys me. Buy just the book and forget about it.

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Summary: Remembering my youth
Review: I was very happy to find this book. It brought back memories of growing up in a bilingual eniviroment. For many years I searched for such a book. I finally have a book with which I can share my heritage with my family and friends. Thank you Ms.Delacre.

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Summary: The book alone ...
Review: If you take the book on its own (apart from any accompanying audiotape), you will find a cute text and fair translations from Spanish to English. As an introduction to some of the common rhymes and songs, the book serves well and has attractive illustration. There are other books of this type you might enjoy more, particularly if you wish to use the book in a classroom setting.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: The singers have very nice voices and I am sure the intention is good but in an age where there are so many bilingual people certainly some could have been located! The pronunciation in spanish is totally off and is further accentuated in the Elephant song which is spoken, another loss, this song has a really nice tune and it has been crossed out. To boot, one of the most significant songs is lacking - La Cucaracha. Sorry, but for educational purposes this cassette just does not cut it.

Rating:
Summary: the cassette was dissapointing.
Review: The songs in the book are nice to sing to. Unfortuneately, thecassette which accompanies the book is horrible, to say the least. Such beautiful songs deserve qualified bilingual singers. The song for "Un elefante" was the most dissapointing because traditionally it is a wonderful song.

Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: This unique bilingual nursury rhyme and music book, provides to the Hispanic mother what so many Mother Goose Rhyme books provide to the American mother: an excuse to cuddle with her child and share the dear folklore she grew up with. The fact that this is a collection in picture book format makes a great difference. It lends itself to share in one sitting. After several readings with a parent, the child will start to sing the songs by himself as soon as he sees the pictures. The illustrations depict real places troughout Latin America. In the 11 years I've used this book both outside and inside the classroom, with Latino children and non-Latino children as well, I've witnessed time and again the joy it brings to Hispanic parents and children. I've seen how Latinas spontaneously start singing the songs by flipping through the pages of the book and instantly feel compelled to share their forgotten folklore with their children. I've seen three generations of a family take out a guitar and play the songs in the middle of their kitchen. I've seen the pride of Latino children when they join hands with their classmates to play the game-song of arroz con leche and feel acceptance and respect in doing so. This is a book that brings out the best in people, and stands entirely on its own. It is a book that should be in every Spanish language or bilingual collection of a school. It is a classic.