Need suggestions for a book about Mexico

[busymomma]

My oldest daughter Cierra, is partially Mexican. My husband fully accepts her as if she were his own, but she really wants to
know more about the Mexican part of her heritage. She is an excellent reader, so it does not need to be too babyish. In the past she has read Look what came from Mexico, and other easy books. She would like more details about the people and their culture, life in Mexico, geography etc. anything interesting. She has never been to Mexico. She has always lived in Mississippi. I might even could use it as her non-fiction selection for DITHOR.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Tansy]

I can tell you what I have done with my India DD. and China DD.
With India... I had a really good textbook about India and a folk tales book. I incorporated the text book in as an extra 1-2 times a week. She loved it. And we did Indian folk tales for Dithor.

For China... who is much more with it and aware of her culture since she partially grew up there. We're always getting side tracked into conversations about Americas view on China politically.. and yes she is only 7... I read a lot to keep up with her questions. Lots of kids books on China, Chinese folk tales. I also get 2 fairy tales like American Cinderella and the Chinese version.. It seems Cinderella tales exist in every Country. And then we compare them. But depending on your view of Fairy tales this may or may not be an option.

I also have "Kids just like me book" http://www.amazon.com/Children-Just-Lik ... 0789402017 and a bunch of nicely used .25 cent books from our Library that are all about India. Check out your lIbrary. Ours has great Kids cook books "Cooking the _______ way" for tons of countries. This blog/site has a bunch of cook book links.
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3455 ... r-children. Food is a great way to experience the culture and begin to understand it Since so many holiday traditions center around a theme of which cooking is a major part.

I remember some Advice from our Hague training; that is Adopted kids (all) will some day look around them and say "wait I have another culture!" And will realize they are missing links, we can help them by putting in place new family traditions that incorporate the cultural background the child comes from. To do that in our house we eat Indian food quiet a bit and sometimes loosely celebrate children's day, We shop at Indian clothing stores and she wears traditional dress when she wishes to. China is easier to incorporate since most of its festivals are looked upon as legend not "Gods and Goddesses" as in Hindu culture. So we have Hot Pot and give red envelopes at Chinese new year. We eat moon cakes in September . We go to concerts (christian PTL!) of Indian Music. When the Chinese Ballet comes to town we bite the bullet and buy the tickets and go. Look around you might be surprised at what is available. I know I was when I found a chinese school that had been running for 20 years in our town.

[busymomma]

Tansy,

Thanks so much for the advice. I had not thought of using folk tales from Mexico. What a neat idea! I do own Children Just Like Me. We used it a few years ago when we were studying different countries of the world. I think we briefly touched on Mexico then, as she was only 7 at the time. Maybe she would enjoy looking it over now. The only textbook I have been able to find is one by Christian Light Ed. called Our Latin American Neighbors. I had considered it, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it, considering it is much more than just Mexico. It touches on many different countries, and I am not sure how much of it would be what we needed.

But, anyway, thanks again for all your suggestions!

Toni

[juliekay]

A sweet book that we have enjoyed about Mexico and WONDERFUL for this time of year is called Nine Days to Christmas A Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets. It is has been awarded a Caldecott Meday in 1960. It was first published in 1959. The art is precious!

[busymomma]

Thank you, JulieKay

I just requested that book from my library. Oh the joys of internet and libraries!

Toni