Danza!: Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México
on Goodreads (702)
What’s inside...
In the picture book 'Danza!', award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of Amalia Hernández, a dancer and the founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. The book details her journey from being inspired by dancers in her town square as a child to creating one of the most famous and successful dance companies in the world. Amalia combined her training in ballet and modern dance with traditional Mexican folk dances, forming a unique style that captured the heritage and culture of Mexico. This vivid celebration of Mexican dance, culture, and art is illustrated in Tonatiuh's signature style, inspired by Mixtec art, and has received critical acclaim, including the Pura Belpré Award and the Robert F. Sibert Medal.
Discussion points
Why do you think Amalia Hernández was inspired to start El Ballet Folklórico de México?
How do the illustrations help tell the story of Danza and the culture of Mexico?
What feelings did you experience when reading about the performances?
What did you learn about Mexican culture and traditions from this book?
How do you think Amalia felt when she saw her vision come to life on stage?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the story by asking them to describe their favorite part and why.
Discuss the cultural significance of dance and music in the book, relating it to any family traditions involving music or dance.
Connect the story to real-life events by watching performances of El Ballet Folklórico de México online to bring the story to life.
Ask your child to draw or creatively express a scene from the book, discussing the colors and styles used in the illustrations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence leads to achievement
Explanation: Amalia Hernández's dedication to mastering and innovating folkloric dance illustrates the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying and practicing in their endeavors, whether it's learning a musical instrument or a new sport, mirroring Amalia's dedication.
Example Lesson: Cultural pride and appreciation
Explanation: Through the depiction of Amalia’s efforts to showcase Mexico's regional dances, the story promotes a strong sense of cultural pride and heritage.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to explore and take pride in their own cultures and backgrounds, and to respect and appreciate the diversity in others’ cultures as well.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a tool for innovation
Explanation: Amalia uses her creative vision to transform traditional dances into theatrical performances, demonstrating how creativity can lead to innovation.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to use their imagination to think outside the box and be innovative, possibly in their solutions to problems or in their creative arts projects.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The formation and success of El Ballet Folklórico de México highlight the importance of working together towards a common goal.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in team activities and value collaborative efforts in school projects or team sports, understanding that collective efforts can achieve great results.