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Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad
José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad
written and illustrated by David Diaz
song lyrics by José Feliciano
All Ages, 28 pages
I was excited when I discovered this book at the library, since “Feliz Navidad” is one of my favorite Christmas Songs. (Go ahead and click the video to listen while you read.) In the book, José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad the reader almost sings along as the lyrics are slowly written on the pages. José Feliciano was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York at a young age. He wrote “Feliz Navidad” when he was homesick during the Christmas season. Feliciano was born blind, but that didn’t stop this songwriter who won six Grammy Awards with more than sixty-five albums. The book describes a parranda that is a Christmas tradition in Puerto Rico. A parranda is basically a caroling parade when neighbors and friends surprise each other from house to house with small instruments. The festive parade lasts hours and moves through the neighborhood with singing, dancing, and food. At the end, there is a huge feast and cookout often with a roasted pig that brings everyone together. The book was very colorful and festive, which is appropriate for such an upbeat Christmas song.
Weekly Quote: Explore Worlds – Read
You can travel the world and never leave your chair when you read a book.
I posted this video already, but I really think it demonstrates the power of reading and that it can take you anywhere.
Read Banned Books on YouTube
In celebration of Banned Books Week next week, you have the opportunity to read your favorite banned books to everyone. There is a YouTube channel that authors and individuals can post videos of themselves reading banned or challenged books. The video reading cannot be more than two minutes. You can also create a video from first hand experience of books being challenged which cannot be more than three minutes. Additional information is found here: virtual read-out.
Books Take You Anywhere
I saw this Family Circus comic strip and it made me smile. Along his reading journeys he meets The Cat in the Hat, Harry Potter, Huckleberry Finn, and a brave knight. The last comment he states:
Books let me go anywhere in the world to meet lots of people while I’m warm and cozy here in my own bed.
Reading books can take you anywhere your heart desires. Open the pages and you may follow Alice through the rabbit hole, play quidditch at Hogwarts, taste creations at a chocolate factory, unlock hidden secrets, challenge others to a duel, soar around the world, explore the sea, and travel to the past or future. So get comfy in your favorite reading spot and open the pages into a new world.
I already posted this video, but it fits that books can take you anywhere.
Videos: Reading inspires children
I found these videos on http://www.read.gov which is sponsored through the Library of Congress. These videos captured how reading inspires children and that it can take you anywhere from Hogwarts, Naria, Camelot, to Oz. Watch and share with others.
**Library Card Sign-Up Month**
I absolutely, positively love my library. Yes, I have my library card number memorized and can state exactly when it’s open. This little card is your passport to endless knowledge.
The library opens up so many possibilities to individuals and the community. It’s a shame that so many libraries in the United States faced with economic troubles have closed. My own city closed two libraries. It is during challenging times that individuals most use their public library. The library provides résumé workshops, job search tutorials, technology support, guest speaker seminars, research on computers, and much more. It’s a safe place where individuals interact with the community and gain information. At the library you can learn a new language, listen to audio books, sample new music, complete homework, catch up on the latest DVDs, attend book readings, participate in summer reading programs, listen to story hour, socialize during teen activities, watch monthly movies, and provide endless reading materials. The best part of the library is that all these activities are FREE for EVERYONE.
September is library card sign up month. The process couldn’t be more simple to get a pass for all materials at your finger tips. Most libraries you need to be at least age 5 and can write your name. Normally, children thirteen and younger need parent or guardian permission. You also need to present some proof of residency. Here are some links that promote library card sign up month and information about libraries.
http://atyourlibrary.org is a wonderful site that gives you overall information about everything you can do at the library, how to use your library, locate a library, reasons to use a library, and additional information such as individual’s connections to the library. (For example, author readings and guests such as Julie Andrews who provide comments about the library.)
http://atyourlibrary.org/september-national-library-card-sign-month-american-public-libraries
Library Association (ALA) provides a brief overall of the event.
http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card/index.cfm
The readwritethink organization link provides numerous activities, classroom resources, event description, and additional links.
This is a cute Arthur cartoon video about all the fun that you can have at your library.
In an earlier post, I gave a book description for Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. I think it’s a great introduction for younger ages to become excited about the library. I added the link, so you don’t have to search for it.
https://passion2read.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/did-you-hear-the-roar-at-the-library/
The message is clear: get your library card today. It’s almost silly not to get a card, since it’s so easy to obtain. Enjoy all the wonderful materials and resources for FREE!!!
Video: Wonders of books
I was looking for an article and stumbled upon this video. It was made in response to a ‘I hate reading’ Facebook page. I can’t imagine individuals hating reading so much that they’d form a community page. Oh well.
Children's Books & More 
