Giveaway: Gorgeous Bilingual Children’s Book
It's National Children's Book Week!
When I reflect on all the amazing books I read as a child, I realize what an impact they're had on my life. I believe that reading is so important for young ones– both reading to them and encouraging them to develop their own love of books.
One of my daughter's favorite books is The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred. This lyrical and charming story is in English with Spanish words… and the illustrations are as stunning as the words!
To celebrate National Children's Book Week, author Samantha Vamos and her publisher Charlesbridge are giving away Sam's new book The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred to a lucky YoT reader!
It just so happens that this beautiful book is in English with Spanish words and a recipe for arroz con leche, making it perfect for Cinqo de Mayo too.
Samantha Vamos
Here's what Sam shared about her new book when I interviewed her recently:
The idea for The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred popped into my head one morning while making pancakes. Lacking two ingredients, I thought how much more fun it would be if I lived on a farm and the cow was kind enough to provide a cup of fresh milk and the hen offered an egg. I began walking around my kitchen making up my story based upon the rhythm and format of the familiar nursery rhyme, “The House That Jack Built.”
Like the nursery rhyme, The Cazuela That The Farm Maiden Stirred is a cumulative tale. In this case, the action builds as a few Spanish words repeat.
Five different farm animals (goat, cow, duck, donkey, and hen) and their farmer each contribute ingredients to a pot (the “cazuela”) stirred by the farm maiden. A surprise dish is created (rice pudding or “arroz con leche”) and at the book’s end, an actual recipe is provided. There is also a glossary with a pronunciation guide.
I never finished making pancakes that morning, but I did manage to write a first draft of my story!
If you live in the Seattle area, you can meet Samantha and hear her read her book in person:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
11:00 a.m.
University Bookstore
Bellevue, WA
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Reading/Signing
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center
For more info and appearances in the Chicago area, visit this link.
Want to win The Cazuela? Just leave a comment for Sam below. Make sure you include your email so I can contact you if you win. Contest will be open until 5 pm May 10th.
In case you don't win, The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred is available in bookstores and on Amazon.com.
THANK YOU SAMANTHA VAMOS AND CHARLESBRIDGE!
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any way for this post. I just love this book.
This sounds like a wonderful story!
Malia, thank you so much for featuring my book! I beamed when I read this fantastic post. I’m honored that your daughter is a fan of the book. That’s so terrific. All best, Samantha
my family loves arroz con leche–if only i could learn how to make it taste like my husband’s abuelita–i will be golden! can’t wait to read this story to my daughters in espanol.
The illustrations are beautiful! I would love a copy. One of my kids favorite books is Just a Minute! A Trickster Tale from Yuyi Morales which is a similar story of an abuela cooking where the kids can learn some Spanish words.
Malia and Samantha, thanks for doing this. I’m always finding ways to teach Spanish words to my boys. I’d love the book. Thanks again!
This is the type of story I always liked reading to my daughter as she grew up. We love stories of everyone helping each other to make something yummy!
I absolutely love the story this book tells and it is so beautifully illustrated!! I would love to win a copy of this book so I can read it to my niece! Thank you for the great recipe too!!
That cover illustration grabbed my attention right away! I looks like a fun book :)
Wish I could hear/see the author read in Seattle but alas I am on the other side of the country. She should come to NYC for a reading so that I can bring my son to it. What a treat that would be. In the meantime, a copy of the book sounds divine!
This book is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL, rich, bold, delicious children’s book. As you turn the pages you will want to keep brushing your hand over the colors almost as if the objects (especially the vaca!) will jump out to you.
We love to try out new books!
what an absolutely lovely book! I wish I could be in Seattle but instead I am home with two beautiful children that would love love love to hear me read about cazuelas!
How can I get my hands on another for my daughter’s buddies at her pre-school??
The Cazuela is a delightful read! Thoughtful, warm-hearted and quite clever. Nicely paced and the art work is indeed a work of art!
What a wonderful giveaway! I was just lamenting to myself the other day how saddened I was that we are a single language family, wondering how I would help my son acquire a second language.