Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Marvelous Moon Stories
Take a look at these books about lunar celebrations, as well as other multicultural stories about the moon's role in mythology and our daily lives.
A Full Moon Is Rising
Come along on a whirlwind tour of the world to discover an amazing collection of full moon celebrations, beliefs, customs, and facts.
Beautiful Moon / Bella Luna
With the help of a moonlit night, a little girl's fantasy becomes reality. In a wink the moon grants her wish for a day that never ends. She plays until exhausted and wishes for night to come so she can rest. Bilingual full text in English and Spanish.
Lin Yi's Lantern
Meet Lin Yi — a little boy with a big heart and a talent for bargaining. Tonight is the moon festival and he wants nothing more than a red rabbit lantern; but first he must buy the things his mother needs at the market. This heart-warming story will resonate with both children and adults, as they learn about the wonderful Chinese Moon Festival and the rewards that come from putting others first.
Moon Rope
Look at the moon and what do you see? Could it be Fox? Fox convinced Mole to accompany him to the moon by suggesting that huge worms were there. Mole comes back down to Earth, but Fox may still be up there. This myth from Peru is told in both English and Spanish and is illustrated with shining collages inspired by Peruvian artwork and artifacts.
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats
An inspired compilation of Chinese holiday tales, activities, and recipes limns a rich and ancient culture through a year's worth of projects.
Round Is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes
A girl discovers things that are round, square, and rectangular in her urban neighborhood. A gently rhyming text and crisply lined illustrations reveal many things that are universally recognizable as well as others that come from the child's Chinese background.
Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale
Product description: This is the magical story of one baby's journey from her birth parents in China, who dream of a better life for their daughter, to her adoptive parents on the other side of the world, who dream of the life they can give her. Many friends along the way shepherd the baby as she floats in a basket on a moonlit, winding river into the loving arms of her new parents.
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
As they did for the Lunar New Year, each family member contributes to the preparations for the mid-autumn moon festival. Their special picnic includes mooncakes and tea as well as affection. An author's note not only informs but may inspire other celebrations.
The Moon Lady
In this retelling of a story included in Amy Tan's novel The Joy Luck Club, Nai-nai tells her granddaughters the story of her outing, as a seven-year-old girl in China, to see the Moon Lady and be granted a secret wish.
The Moon Was at a Fiesta
With the tempo and rhythm of a Mexican fiesta, this bouncy Spanish rendition re-creates the folklore and traditions of the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, as the jealous moon decides to have her own fiesta where people can sing, eat, parade, and dance. The original stylized mixed-media paintings depicting native Oaxacan scenery and customs and the wonderful idea of the moon getting away with her "naughty" behavior add to the gusto and authenticity of this nocturnal Mexican fiesta. Also available in Spanish.
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back
To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the "Moon of Popping Trees" — when the "cottonwoods crack with frost" — to the "Big Moon" of the Abenakis. — Publishers Weekly
Under the Lemon Moon
Product Description: One night Rosalinda is awakened by a noise in the family's garden. She is astonished to see a man creeping away with a sack of fruit from her beloved lemon tree. Rosalinda seeks out La Anciana for advice. The wise old woman offers an inventive way to help the tree and the man driven to steal her lemons. Set in the Mexican countryside, this charming story explores how it feels to get gifts — and to give them.
Under the Ramadan Moon
During Ramadan, this loving family prays and fasts together. They also stop bad habits, give to the poor, hang bright lights, and visit friends — all under the Ramadan moon! Lush pastel illustrations fill the pages with soft moonlight, the warmth of friends and family, and beautiful designs at the Mosque. Children will enjoy repeating the lyrical refrain that appears throughout the story. Author's note included.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Join Minli as she journeys to save her village and her family from a dreary fate. A storyteller's voice effectively brings to life this unforgettable award-winning novel, illustrated with exquisite Chinese paintings.
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This is an invaluable resource for parents and bilingual educators, (especially) for those of us who want to maintain our culture.
~ Kenia R.
