Dream with the/Sueña con las Latinitas
#2 in Latinitas Series
What’s inside...
Meet the Latinitas, whose big dreams paved the way for your little feet! With gorgeous, hand-painted illustrations, Juliet Menéndez shines a spotlight on the power of childhood dreams. ¡Conoce a las Latinitas cuyos grandes sueños abrieron el camino para tus propios pasitos! Con hermosas ilustraciones, hechas a mano, Juliet Menéndez pone en relieve el poder que tienen los sueños de la infancia.
Discussion points
Which of the Latinitas in the book inspired you the most and why?
How do the stories of these remarkable women make you feel about your own dreams and goals?
What challenges did the women in the book face and how did they overcome them?
Can you think of ways you can help make a difference like some of the Latinitas did?
If you could meet any of the Latinitas, who would it be and what would you ask her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about Latin American or Latina women in history and culture. This sets a reflective framework for their understanding.
While reading, pause at each biography and discuss the adversities faced by these women and the traits they employed to overcome them. This fosters a deeper comprehension of resilience and determination.
Ask reflective questions that connect the text to your child’s life, encouraging them to relate personally to the stories.
After reading, engage in a creative activity, like drawing or writing a short story about a new Latinita character based on your child's imagination. This enhances creativity and retention of the book’s messages.
Encourage your child to share stories from the book with friends or family members to build their communication skills and reinforce the lessons learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empowerment and Ambition
Explanation: The book showcases biographies of Latina women who followed their dreams and achieved remarkable success, inspiring children to pursue their own goals.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to set their own goals and work towards achieving them, understanding that their background should not limit their dreams.
Example Lesson: Cultural Pride
Explanation: Through the stories of various Latina women, the book instills a sense of pride in one’s heritage and the contributions of one's culture.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by celebrating their own culture’s traditions, learning more about their heritage, and sharing their cultural background with others.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The featured stories highlight challenges that these women faced and how they overcame those obstacles, teaching kids the value of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in overcoming obstacles, whether in school, in sports, or in social settings, using adaptive strategies they read about.
Example Lesson: Importance of Education
Explanation: The narratives show how education played a crucial role in the success of these Latina women, emphasizing its importance.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to take their studies seriously, engage in learning opportunities, and value their educational journeys.
Example Lesson: Role Modeling
Explanation: Illustrating the lives of influential Latina figures, this book serves as a repository of role models for young readers.
Real-World Application: Children can emulate positive behaviors and attitudes from these role models, helping them shape their own paths in a constructive way.