Marta! Big & Small
on Goodreads (601)
What’s inside...
Marta is an ordinary girl with extraordinary animal friends. As she explores the jungle, she learns about size and speed in relation to different animals. When she encounters a snake that finds her tasty, she uses her cleverness to escape the dangerous situation. This fun read-aloud picture book is in Spanish with a glossary, teaching kids about opposites, animals, and new words.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Marta
Discussion points
What ways did Marta show she was both big and small? Can you think of other things that can be both big and small?
How do the animals react to Marta in the story? How do you think you might feel if you were Marta?
What Spanish words did we learn from this story? Can you use them in your own sentences?
How do the illustrations help tell the story of Marta's adventures? What's your favorite picture?
What can you learn from Marta's interactions with animals about how we should treat creatures big and small?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare themselves to objects or animals around them to explore the concepts of size just like Marta did.
Discuss the new Spanish vocabulary introduced in the book, and try incorporating these words into everyday conversations to reinforce learning.
Ask your child to draw their favorite animal from the book and describe why they like it, fostering a connection to the story and its characters.
Share thoughts about the message of the book and how being big or small can have different meanings depending on context.
Celebrate the dual-language aspect of the book by watching a short video or listening to a song in Spanish, enhancing cultural appreciation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding opposites
Explanation: Marta! Big & Small teaches children about opposites through the comparisons of animals and their characteristics, showing Marta as big compared to a bug and small compared to an elephant.
Real-World Application: Children can enhance their cognitive abilities by identifying and understanding opposites in their everyday surroundings, helping them develop critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Spanish language basics
Explanation: The book introduces basic Spanish vocabulary related to animals and size, making it a bilingual reading experience.
Real-World Application: Children can practice and expand their language skills, which fosters an interest in learning new languages and appreciating cultural diversity.
Example Lesson: Animal recognition and characteristics
Explanation: Incorporating various animals, the story helps children learn to recognize different animal species and understand their unique traits.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages curiosity and respect for wildlife, potentially fostering a lifelong love for animals and nature.
Example Lesson: Self-awareness and identity
Explanation: Through Marta’s interactions and comparisons with animals, children see a reflection of self-awareness that highlights both similarities and differences.
Real-World Application: This can help children to better understand their own identity and characteristics in relation to the world around them.