Best Picture Books for a Latin American Carnaval
Read How Hispanic and Caribbean Countries Celebrate Carnaval
Teachers and parents often look for ways to share Hispanic traditions, legends, and culture with their children. This selection of classic picture books brings to life the festive celebrations surrounding Carnaval in Latin American and Caribbean Countries by taking a personal look into the lives of several Latin American families who celebrate the holiday. For more seasonal stories readers can check out picture books concerning the traditions and customs of Las Posadas, Three Kings Day, Cinco de Mayo and The Day of the Dead at the end of this article.
The Hispanic Celebration of Carnaval
During February and March, in the weeks just before lent, many Latin American countries enjoy a celebration known as Carnaval. The festivities include parades, dancing, wild costumes, and colorful masks.
Spanish Instructors often observe the festival of Carnaval with their students during the month of February by decorating elaborate masks, fashioning festive musical instruments, and learning folk dances together. The following picture books offer excellent additions to a teacher’s lesson plans by providing accurate and engaging details about the celebration.
Picture Books Pertaining to the Carnaval Celebration in Latin American Countries
Tonight Is Carnaval by Dorros Arthur, is the story of a Puruvian boy eagerly awaiting his chance to play in the band during carnaval. The book’s festive illustrations are comprised of authentic Purvian cloth collages.
Mama Does the Mambo by Katherine Leiner is the heartwarming story of Sophia, a young girl who has recently lost her father. Sophia’s mother always looked happiest when she was dancing. But Sophia worries her mama won’t find another dancing partner for the celebration of Carnaval.
Nino’s Mask by Jeanette Winter is the story of a boy whom everyone says is too little to wear a mask during the celebration of Carnaval. Despite their discouraging words, Nino is determined to play the part of the animal who chases the tiger from the town ensuring a good crop of corn next harvest. Nino surprises his family and everyone in the village by carefully observing the town’s mask maker and fashioning a mask all on his own.
Carnaval is just one example of the colorful celebrations and fascinating traditions practiced in Latin American Countries across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Readers who enjoyed these picture books pertaining to the Latin American holiday Carnaval, are sure to also enjoy other classic children’s books portraying the celebration of the uniquely Latin American holiday, The Day of the Dead, the Mexican American celebration of Cinco de Mayo, and Hispanic Christmas customs for Three Kings Day and Las Posadas.
Carnaval Mask in Latin American Picture Books
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Reading & Literature
Latest Articles