A Kid's Guide to Latino History: More than 50 Activities

A Kid's Guide

by Valerie Petrillo

A Kid’s Guide to Latino History features more than 50 hands-on activities, games, and crafts that explore the diversity of Latino culture and teach children about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Hispanic American history.

 

Kids can:

*     Fill Mexican cascarones for Easter

*     Learn to dance the merengue from the Dominican Republic

*     Write a short story using “magical realism” from Columbia

*     Build Afro-Cuban Bongos

*     Create a vejigante mask from Puerto Rico

*     Make Guatemalan worry dolls

*     Play Loteria, or Mexican bingo, and learn a little Spanish

*     And much more

 

Did you know that the first immigrants to live in America were not the English settlers in Jamestown or the Pilgrims in Plymouth, but the Spanish? They built the first permanent American settlement in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. The long and colorful history of Latinos in America comes alive through learning about the missions and early settlements in Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, and California; exploring the Santa Fe Trail; discovering how the Mexican-American War resulted in the Southwest becoming part of the United States; and seeing how recent immigrants from Central and South America bring their heritage to cities like New York and Chicago.

 

            Latinos have transformed American culture and kids will be inspired by Latino authors, artists, athletes, activists, and others who have made significant contributions to American history.

Genres: History, Childrens, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!
This (and the other 4 in the series) are must-have's for schools, librarians, teachers, homeschool parents!
The only thing that is remotely outdated about this book is the lack of some of the "famous" people from those areas that have become popular or discovered since its publication. My only negative comment would be to bring in a bit more of Aztec, Mayan and Inca history, but I get where the author was going with it.

Otherwise, the book does an amazing job of giving an almost full account of history of Spanish Americans: a third of the book is Mexico, then it talks about Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the Spanish settled parts of South America (referring to Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru)
The book shares the vast history and culture of these countries: Everything from Immigration, wars, holidays, fashion, food, holidays, language, music, and celebrities (writers, athletes, actors, and more).
The book also (as its title states) has 50 activities including crafts, learning traditional dances, music, recipes, traditional games and toys that kids can make and most of them are easy-to-find supplies and ingredients...can be done by a classroom, at home, or a library group; You can even learn how to lasso!

The book is very honest and respectful in terms of the hardships of the Latinos by the conquistadors, communism, etc.


I've been to Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico and I can honestly say, even with all of the historical sites I visited there and tours I went on and the Latino culture/food/celebrations I experience there, this book was definitely still a major learning experience, and would be for anyone.

Enjoy it!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amazing book allows children to learn about Latino history and influences from Central and South America, as well as the history and diverse traditions of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican Americans. It covers bilingualism, immigration, and a range of other subjects and offers crafts, recipes, activities, and games as an aid to studying Latino culture. This is perfect for a study of diverse American cultures and history and offers plenty of ideas for whole class or small group projects.

[Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was is another one we will continue to use / read during our second semester (this upcoming year of 2022) for our 8 year old History class. It's been amazing to teach his and learn along side about our Latin culture about our heritage, it makes me happy and proud. He has been doing so well learning so much.

[Susan]

This kind of information is needed--tracing each individual culture's experience interacting with the U.S. government over time--but it felt whitewashed, especially with regards to the Spanish conquistadors. We need to be more frank about how damaging that really was.

[Desiree Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, gentle introduction for my son to the history of Hispanic people in North America. It also included activities he could do and recipes we could create for him to understand better how they lived at the time.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likely not a book to read cover to cover like I did, but I felt it gave a good overview of the countries that the majority of LatinX in the US hail from. Some good activities mixed in too.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be used as a supplement in a 4th grade American History class. Excellent resource with an activity or craft for each section.

[Michele Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amazing book allows children to learn about Latino history and influences from Central and South America, as well as the history and diverse traditions of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican Americans. It covers bilingualism, immigration, and a range of other subjects and offers crafts, recipes, activities, and games as an aid to studying Latino culture. This is perfect for a study of diverse American cultures and history and offers plenty of ideas for whole class or small group projects.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book of history/art/food activities to celebrate Latino history. More for professionals/parents than students though.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT book!!! I learned so much. This is a must have for our Esperanza library. I envision using this book to focus on a different Latino country each month--maybe in an after school club.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book that gives a lot of information about different aspects of Latino culture and history. I would definitely use it in my classroom!