A boy shows off his barrio! This book has Spanish words throughout the book. The boys barrio is bright and happy. This book is full of culture and traditions. The illustrations are bold black lines with bright colors. This book shows the value of community. ( )

The reader is invited into a vibrant neighborhood where gra ti tells the story of the cultural lives, and Our Lady of Guadalupe appears on walls to oversee momentous occasions.

A young boy talks about many things that happen in his city of El Barrio: Holidays, celebrations with music and festivities. The illustrations are very colorful like a mosaic collage of materials to make the pictures. It also includes a glossary if students are learning about looking up what words you never heard of and where to find them. ( )

Illustrator Study: David Diaz

Themes: Immigration, Family, Home, Hispanic Culture, Life, Beauty

Teaching Points: Metaphor; Repetition in Writing/ _____ is... , _____ is...

Summary:
El Barrio is about a Mexican neighborhood. The little boy in the book is describing his neighborhood using Spanish words to describe them. The book talks about quinceanera which are girls birthday parties when they turn fifteen. The book also talks about bodegas which is Spanish for grocery stores. The book introduces a lot of Spanish words to describe places other readers already know.

Personal Reaction:
I really liked this book because of this easy way they incorporate Spanish vocabulary. The book does a good job of explaining what the words mean and there is even a glossary in the back if someone did not know what they mean. I grew up in a bilingual family so this book reminded me of my childhood. I think it's important to use multicultural books so that all children feel they can relate to the story.

Classroom Extension Activities:
1: Have each student create a drawing of their Barrio and hang them up in the room.
2. Ask the kids if their neighborhood differs from the one in the book.
3. Have a conversation about different cultures. ( )