Suburban Turmoil Reviews Bilingual Books To Flip Over Punky and Bruiser (I know, I know, it sounds like Punky Brewster, that's not lost on me) both receive a free book a month until they're five through a special state program. The books are usually excellent, but every so often, they throw a bilingual book in there, which I loathe. It's not that I don't want Punky to learn a second language -I do- but I'm trying to teach her to read in English by pointing out the words I read, and when they're also there in Spanish, it gets damn confusing... ...which is why I like Mandy and Andy books so much. These are bilingual books that are in English on one side and Spanish on the other. It makes reading in either language far less confusing and more fun. Check them out and if you are trying to teach your child Spanish or English, give them a try. Lindsay
Mom Central Hot Parenting Products Ever wish tou had learned a second language as a kid. Even after years of French I think I can only repeat, oui! Give your kida a headstart with the Mandy and Andy books, a new bilingual book series written by Florida-based great grandfather William J Adams and illustrated by Philadelphia-based cartoonist Tom Stiglich. The books feature rhyming stories accompanied by large, colorful drawings. Each book has two sides - one in Engliah and one in Spanish, so kids read the story first in English, then flip it over and read in Espanol.
Mandy and Andy are twins who go through bilingual adventures together. In the first book Hate That Thunder/Odio Ese Trueno, blonde-pigtailed Mandy hides under her bed during a storm, but eventually confronts her fear of the loud thunder. In the second, Goin To The Zoo/Vamos Al Zoologico, the twins spend a day visiting animals at the Zoo. In addition to the story, a glossary/glosario of the English and Spanish words.
TCM Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady Goin' To The Zoo/Vamos Al Zoologico What child doesn't enjoy going to the ZOO? There are so many interesting animals. There is just so much to see and do.
Goin' To The Zoo is a fun book with a rhythmic text that explores all the animals at the zoo. The roaring lion, the floppy eared elephants, the swinging monkeys and all the rest of every child's favorites are presented in this book. What's more is thet you get two books in one. The story is in English. Then flip over the book and the entire story is written in Spanish.
Heather Froeschl, www.bookideas.com As a child I was terrified of thunder and storms. I won’t talk about how I feel today, but I know that a lot kids have this same fear. What better way to address a fear than to look it straight in the face, understand it, and read about it and know that others have that same fear. In William J. Adams’ children’s book, Hate That Thunder/Odio Ese Trueno young readers will find a connection to a character and together they can face that thunder. Mandy is sleeping peacefully when she is rudely awakened by a boom of thunder. She holds her breath, then contemplates diving under the bed. Thinking about it, she realizes that thunder is really only Mother Nature’s warning of a shower, and that showers are good for helping things to grow. She learns to be brave in her knowledge of what scares her. Told in verse, accompanied by engaging and brilliant illustrations, Hate That Thunder / Odio Ese Trueno is sure to be a hit with every child who cringes at those rumbles in the sky. The text is lively and reaches out to children everywhere. But wait! There’s more! Flip the book over and you can read it again, in Spanish! I’ve always supported children learning the basics of a second language early on in life when it is easier to assimilate. Books like these offer so much more than a helpful lesson or interesting read that kids can relate to, they offer a chance to learn something new and have exposure to the flavors of life. A very well done book, all around. I look forward to more in the Mandy and Andy Book series."