Paco and the Giant Chile Plant/Paco y la planta de chile gigante by Keith Polette, illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Paco and the Giant Chile Plant/Paco y la planta de chile gigante written by Keith Polette; illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Raven Tree Press (February 18, 2008)
Language: English and Spanish
ISBN-10: 0979446236
ISBN-13: 978-0979446238
Amazon price: $7.95
Source of book: F&G from publisher


Set in the American Southwest, Paco and the Giant Chile Plant/Paco y la planta de chile gigante is an adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk. Told in English with Spanish embedded in red throughout, Paco sells his family's vaca (cow), their only source of income, for a handful of semillas de chile (chili seeds). When he plants the seeds, a giant chile plant grows way up into the sky. Of course, a curious Paco must climb up the plant, and when he does, he meets the terrible giant we expect him to meet. However, the surprise ending of the story is anything but expected and provides an interesting twist.

Elizabeth O. Dulemba's rich gold-toned illustrations reflect the colors of the desert and give us a glimpse of the clothing, dwellings, and culture of the American southwest.

*Image courtesy of Raven Tree Press.

This is an ideal book for bilingual children or English and Spanish learners. A glossary in the back of the book offers definitions of all of the Spanish words in rojo. It would also make a great read aloud, especially for children who like a little action and suspense in their stories.


Read interviews with Elizabeth Dulemba at Stone Soup and Art & Soul. And visit her website for some fun book-related activities.


What other bloggers are saying:
World of Words: "I would recommend this book to teachers and librarians who have bilingual children in their classrooms." (Read more...)

The Reading Tub: "The author did a fabulous job taking what most of us assume is just a Spanish-added version of a classic story and truly making it his own. He did a masterful job blending Spanish into the story, offering repetition in English and Spanish together. As good as the story is, I could turn the pages just to look at the illustrations, too." (Read more...)

A Patchwork of Books: "I really liked how the Spanish words were sprinkled into the story, rather than it being told first in English, then in Spanish as many bilingual books work." (Read more...)

If you've reviewed Paco and the Giant Chile Plant, leave a comment with your link, and I'll add it here!

Traveling with Anna Series by Laura Crawford

Traveling With Anna/ De Viaje con Ana series by Laura Crawford


Reading level: Grades 2-3
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Raven Tree Press; Bilingual edition (2008)
Language: English, Spanish
Source of books: F&Gs from publisher



I've always been a sucker for travel guides, destination books, travel websites, etc. I think it's a combination of the control freak in me who likes to plan every trip down to the very last detail and the wanna-be world traveler who loves to learn about and visit new places.

Now kids who love to learn about new places can do so with Laura Crawford's bilingual Traveling with Anna/ De Viaje con Ana series.

There are currently three books in the series:

• Postcards from Washington , D.C / Postales desde Washington, D.C
• Postcards from Chicago / Postales desde Chicago (Bilingual English/Spanish
• Postcards from New York City / Postales desde New York City

This interesting blend of fiction and nonfiction introduces children to U.S. cities through postcards written by the fictional character, Anna.

Photo courtesy Raven Tree Press

Each interior spread includes interesting information about a site or landmark in the city featured in the book in a number of ways. First, Ana writes a postcard to a relative or friend about the site in English. Next, three interesting facts about the site are written in both English and Spanish. Finally, a full-color photograph is also included in the spread.

Anna's postcards introduce kids to the featured city through a child's eyes. For example, in the Washington, D.C. book, when writing about the Lincoln Memorial, Anna wraps up her postcard with, "I wanted to climb on his lap, but Mom said no." I can only imagine how many children in real life have wanted to do this.

The bulleted facts themselves are appealing instead of the "boring" details kids are used to reading in history textbooks. Sticking with the Lincoln Memorial spread, kids learn that Lincoln's nickname was Honest Abe, that he never received a lot of formal education, and more.

Presenting the facts in both English and Spanish opens the doors to a variety of readers, including those learning English and/or Spanish, ESL learners, and Spanish speaking parents who have limited books in their language in which to read to their children. I only wish the postcards were written in both languages instead of just English because the postcards make the books unique and hold the greatest appeal.

The straightforward and clean book design makes the books appealing to older learners who will most likely not be embarrassed to be seen with the book. When I taught ESL to high schoolers, I had a big challenge to find books at their English-reading level that weren't too childish. They were constantly complaining that they couldn't find anything other than "baby books."

The Traveling with Anna series would make wonderful resources in a geography, social studies, ESL, or Spanish classroom. They'd also be a great way to introduce children to different US cities and to get them excited about vacation if you happen to be visiting one of the cities in the book. I look forward to seeing more books in the series.