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Merry Navidad! (by Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, Rosalma Zubizarreta)

common sense media says

Bilingual celebration of Spanish Christmas songs.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this bilingual book of poems and songs celebrates the Christmas season and reflects the Hispanic tradition. It definitely has a religious tone.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on Merry Navidad!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the various Christmastime traditions celebrated in Hispanic cultures. How are these traditions the same, or different, from those you celebrate? Where did your holiday traditions originate, and which ones do you like best?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Events of the Christmas season as celebrated in the Hispanic tradition are presented chronologically. Each is explained in both Spanish (on the left-hand page) and English (on the right-hand side), and then is followed with appropriate villancicos (carols), also in both Spanish and English.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
MERRY NAVIDAD takes the reader on a rich journey into Hispanic Christmas celebrations that occur between December 16 and January 6. The lyrics of the carols have the simple truth of folk songs and are given added warmth by the artwork of Vivi Escriva. Kids will be drawn in by her sensitive, simple watercolors that people the pages with children, villagers, and various animals representative of Spain, Mexico, and South and Central America, as well as with the more traditional nativity scene visitors.

Highlighting the book are the villancicos and their translations, provided by Rosalma Zubizarreta. Explanations of the celebrations that lead into the villancicos are clear and thorough without being overwhelming, and they add a depth that makes this more than just a book of poems for kids.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, Rosalma Zubizarreta
Illustrator: Vivi Escriva
Publisher: Rayo
Publication date: September 25, 2007
Number of pages: 64
Hardcover price: $16.99
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines