My Town / Mi Pueblo
illustrations by
on Goodreads (128)
What’s inside...
In this bilingual picture book, cousins from opposite sides of the border visit each other's towns and delight in their similarities and differences. Two cousins live in two towns, separated by a river and the US-Mexico border, so they live in different countries. The girl's town primarily speaks English, while the boy's town speaks Spanish. They both love their own towns and enjoy visiting each other, noticing both similarities and differences that add to the vibrancy of their world. Author Nicholas Solis highlights how border towns are unique and beautiful places where two cultures come together, emphasizing that both cultures should be equally treasured and respected.
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite places in our town? How do they compare to the places in 'My Town / Mi Pueblo'?
Can you think of any people who help our town function like the characters in the book? What do they do?
How do you feel when you visit different places around our town? Are there any places you'd like to learn more about?
If you could add one place to our town, what would it be and why?
What did you notice about how people in the book interact with each other and their environment? How can we do similar things in our town?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, explore a map of your own town with your child. Point out and discuss various landmarks or favorite spots to set the stage.
Encourage your child to draw their own version of a town map after reading the story. Discuss the similarities and differences from the book's town.
While reading, allow your child to describe the illustrations in their own words before explaining what they see in them, fostering a deeper connection and understanding.
Make connections between the story and real life by planning visits to places within your own town that are similar to those described in the book.
After reading, ask your child to tell the story from the perspective of another character in the book or even an inanimate object like a tree or a house.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation and bilingual skills
Explanation: My Town / Mi Pueblo introduces children to everyday scenes and objects in both English and Spanish, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity and early language skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by trying to use both English and Spanish words in their daily conversations, enhancing their linguistic abilities and cultural understanding.
Example Lesson: Community awareness
Explanation: The book explores various locations within a town, highlighting the roles and interconnectivity of different community members.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to recognize and respect the different jobs and responsibilities people have, promoting a sense of community and cooperation in their own neighborhood.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: By portraying a vibrant and active town, the book encourages children to be curious and explore different environments around them.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to visit and learn about different places within their own towns or communities, fostering a spirit of discovery and adventure.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary development
Explanation: The inclusion of dual-language text in My Town / Mi Pueblo helps in enhancing vocabulary, with an opportunity to learn new words in both English and Spanish.
Real-World Application: This can help children improve their communication skills and express themselves more effectively in both languages.