A Magical Encounter: Latino Children's Literature in the Classroom

With this book, readers can feel comfortable bringing literature to the classroom as a vehicle for language and concept development, for creative expression and development of higher thinking skills, while promoting the joy of reading. The book is divided in four major parts: Part One outlines theoretical principles which ground the practices suggested, offering some reflections on the role of literature for children and adolescents in the language arts curriculum. It presents the basic tenets of "Transformative Education" as they relate to books for children and adolescents, and describes the "Creative Reading" methodology and its applications. The "One Thousand Book Classroom" is outlined, as well as what a "Transformative Language Arts Classroom" would look like. Part Two overviews the evolution of Latino literature for children and adolescents in the United States. It includes an extensive bibliography of books published by Latino and Latina Authors. Part Three describes the role of the various literary genres in the classroom. Part Four offers suggestions for the application of the theory. The activities suggested are accompanied by examples using specific books. Written for inservice and preservice teachers who would like to enhance the presence of literature in their classrooms.

Dr. Alma Flor Ada directs the Center for Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults at the University of San Francisco, where she has been a professor since 1976. Alma Flor Ada is a leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States. Dr. Ada was the founder and First Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). She has been active for many years in various professional associations including IRA, CRA (California Reading Association), CABE (California Association for Bilingual Education), among others. Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.