Jenny Rivera
De Colores, by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
Jenny Rivera and her family read De Colores (In Colors), A bilingual book of harmony, by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein. Jenny shared the following: “My husband Izzy bought this book for baby Isla. It is one of the first books in her collection. We wanted to introduce her to words in both English and Spanish. This book is special to me because my mother used to sing the words to me when I was little. So, when he brought the book home and surprised us, I was so excited! I could now not only sing it to Isla, but also read it to her. To me, it feels like a tradition passed on, as this book is inspired by a traditional Spanish folk song that our family knows and loves. The book is also full of beautiful illustrations with color that really catches Isla’s attention. I love the animals’ lyrics because it makes Isla smile: ‘Canta el gallo con el quiri quiri quiri…los pollitos con el pio pio pio.’ It’s important for my family and I to not only keep our culture’s traditions, but for our children to be exposed to both languages. Whether it’s through talk, singing, reading, art or play. We hope for this to be one of many books that Isla enjoys, and that she will share with others.”
Arianna
Big Fish and Little Fish by Christy Webster
I think the author’s purpose was to teach us that reading can start with a single step. The book is very fun and it comes with a page of shiny stickers in the back. I love this book because it’s about fishes and the ocean. My favorite character is Dory because she is funny. I like going to the pool and imagining that I am a fish in the ocean.
Paulina
The Babysitter Club series: Claudia and Meanie Janine By Raina Telgemeier
I got this book because I love the author. I have read three of other books in the series. Even though it’s a story, I feel like the author is talking about her childhood and herself. I help my mom babysit my siblings and it can be very annoying! The book is very entertaining. I especially like the main character Claudia.
Stella Wilderspin-SagerViking
Ships at Sunrise By Mary Pope Osborne
The Magic Tree House series makes children imagine things; like about how people survived 1,000 years ago in Europe. When I was 4 my older brother read this book to me. When I was a little older my first day in History class I was in the library and I found this book. It was the first book that I read by myself. Once I went kayaking with my grandpa and it reminded me about Jack and Annie adventures. At first I thought reading was boring but now I like it. I love books that are about history. I think Jack and Annie are the best characters, but my favorite is Annie.
Manuel
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
I love scary stories and I think the author does too, I believe this is why he writes these books. Goosebumps are very cool chapter books. I’ve read like seven of the books and I’ve seen the movies. What is interesting is the spookiness, which I like best. My favorite character is the villain Slappy because he is an entertaining fictional character.
Xiomara Gutierrez
Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli
Brittany Vardakis, Y-Kids Preschool, Lead Teacher
Greater Holyoke YMCA – Pre-school
The Big Pumpkin
by Erica Silverman
— with Holyoke YMCA.
Virginia K. Dillon
Executive Director
Homework House INC
Let the Great World Spin
by Colum McCann
This book evokes so many memories for me. I grew up in the decaying New York of the 1960’s & 70’s – a place that bears almost no resemblance to the city today. I was going into my junior year in high school when Petit made the tightrope walk between the Twin Towers and I vividly remember standing in the very hot, un-air-conditioned kitchen of my family’s apartment listening to 1010 WINS reporting about it on the radio. I think that McCann really captures the feel of the city at the “Ford to NY: Drop Dead” time. This book also speaks very much to my New York Irish-Catholic self.
