New Releases by George Ancona

Follow four energetic boys as they train for and take the stage in a community dance performance celebrating classic kids’ books. Can you emote like an angry pirate from Treasure Island — and even act out a fake swordfight? When four boys join their schools'' dance teams, that’s just one of the numbers being rehearsed for a performance directed by the National Dance Institute of New Mexico, inspired by favorite books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Where the Wild Things Are, The Thousand and One Nights, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Trailing the four enthusiastic dancers is photographer George Ancona, whose copious images capture the infectious spirit of the boys as they learn to dance, act, sing, leap, pretend-fight, change costumes, work hard, and above all, have fun, together with vivacious boys and girls from many other schools.

“This fun and inspiring season-by-season description of a school gardening project could encourage others to repeat this extraordinary experience.” — School Library Journal Cuando supe que había escuelas que tenían huertos, sentí curiosidad. Así que fui a visitar algunas escuelas en Santa Fe, Nuevo México, donde vivo, pero cuando llegué a la Escuela Elemental Acequia Madre, no tuve necesidad de visitar otras escuelas. Bajo la supervisión de maestros, padres y voluntarios, los alumnos, desde el jardín de infancia hasta el sexto grado, trabajan parte del día en el huerto que hay detrás de la escuela. La escuela lleva el nombre de la acequia, de más de cuatrocientos años, que pasa frente al colegio. La escuela es pequeña. Parece que entraras a una casa particular y no a una escuela. En el patio de recreo se escuchan los gritos de unos niños mientras que otros trabajan laboriosamente en el huerto. Pasé cerca de un año observando y fotografiando a los niños trabajar en el huerto con sus maestros, padres y amigo. – George Ancona, Nuestro huerto Want to grow what you eat and eat what you grow? Visit this lively, flourishing school-and-community garden and be inspired to cultivate your own. Part celebration, part simple how-to, this close-up look at a vibrant garden and its enthusiastic gardeners is blooming with photos that will have you ready to roll up your sleeves and dig in. Now available in a Spanish-language edition!

Real kids make a real difference in their communities in this vibrantly photographed chronicle by George Ancona. George Ancona celebrates the joy of kids giving back. In one after-school program, middle-school students mentor and tutor younger children. Via a special partnership, schoolchildren help professionals train assistance dogs for people with disabilities. At a community farm, families plant, grow, and harvest produce for soup kitchens and charities. In these and other examples of volunteering, kids of all ages work together knitting hats and scarves for those who could use warm clothes, packing hot meals to deliver to housebound people, and keeping roadways clean. Young humanitarians reading these accounts may well be inspired to find ways that they can help, too.

An inspirational portrait of a thriving Santa Fe community garden reveals how students and other citizens work together to select and grow annual plants, create compost, release butterflies, harvest edibles and protect garden beds for the winter.

FLAMENCO-it's dancing, it's singing, it's guitar playing! It's a way of expressing oneself that has evolved from many influences over hundreds of years. Today flamenco is practiced throughout the world and all across the United States. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, we meet Janira Cordova, the youngest member of a company studying to perform flamenco. Here the students learn the tools of their art-how to move their hands, arms, bodies, and feet to the traditional rhythms of the music and songs. Each aspect of flamenco is explored in detail. The origins of the art form are also explained, which draw upon the musical traditions of Indian, Arab, and North African cultures, among others. Janira's flamenco has progressed well, and at Santa Fe's annual Spanish Market in July, she finally has a chance to join the older dancers and perform in the town plaza. With colorful, action-packed photographs and accessible text, readers are sure to feel Janira's excitement and catch flamenco fever. �Ol�!

Story of Tio Rico, a pinata maker in Ejutla de Crespo, a village in southern Mexico.

Told in both English and Spanish by award-winning author-photographer George Ancona, The Pi_ata Maker/El pi_atero documents this traditional Latin American artform and includes a note on how to make pi_atas at home. "A delightful introduction to the subject and a memorable glimpse of one Mexican village and its people."-- Booklist

- Award-winning author-photographer - Noted language consultants Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy - Intimate, original photographs - Children share their lives in Spanish and English - World list, map, family history, and cultural background Grades K-4 National Social Studies Standards - Culture: I - Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways people, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns - Give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives - Describe ways in which language, stories, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

- Award-winning author-photographer - Noted language consultants Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy - Intimate, original photographs - Children share their lives in Spanish and English - World list, map, family history, and cultural background Grades K-4 National Social Studies Standards - Culture: I - Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways people, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns - Give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives - Describe ways in which language, stories, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

- Award-winning author-photographer - Noted language consultants Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy - Intimate, original photographs - Children share their lives in Spanish and English - World list, map, family history, and cultural background Grades K-4 National Social Studies Standards - Culture: I - Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways people, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns - Give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives - Describe ways in which language, stories, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

- Award-winning author-photographer - Noted language consultants Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy - Intimate, original photographs - Children share their lives in Spanish and English - World list, map, family history, and cultural background Grades K-4 National Social Studies Standards - Culture: I - Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways people, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns - Give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives - Describe ways in which language, stories, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

An award-winning author-photographer offers family snapshots of the Latino experience in this Spanish-English series. In this title, young Christopher speaks Spanish at home, but speaks English at school. Learning two languages can be a challenge. Full color.

In this bilingual book two Hispanic American children describe the games they like to play.

Examines the typical daily chores of two children, Jazmine, whose parents come from Honduras, and Andrés, who's mother came from Uraguay.

Examines the traditional music played by three Latino children in the United States, including Spanish flamenco, Mexican rancheras, and Caribbean salsa.

Alex, a Latin American boy, describes how he and his family enjoy their favorite meals and special foods from Venezuela.

In this bilingual book Latin American children describe the festivals from their homelands that they celebrate in the United States.

Examines the traditional music played by three Latino children in the United States, including Spanish flamenco, Mexican rancheras, and Caribbean salsa.

- Award-winning author-photographer - Noted language consultants Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy - Intimate, original photographs - Children share their lives in Spanish and English - Word list, map, family history, and cultural background Grades K-4 National Social Studies Standards - Culture: I - Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways people, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns - Give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives - Describe ways in which language, stories, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture

Christopher tells us about his school day.

Murals is a Marshall Cavendish publication.

Renowned photojournalist George Ancona celebrates his heritage in this authentic and engaging tour of the land south of the border. From his many travels in Mexico, Ancona has culled memorable details and a slew of original photographs -- intimate snapshots of people in everyday settings. A remarkable photostudy, Viva Mexico! combines stunning, full-color images with a lively and concise narrative sprinkled with Spanish words and expressions. Mexico''s culture, history and spirit are revealed through The Foods, The Fiestas, The Folk Arts, The Past and The People. Each volume -- whether focusing on food or art, ancient beginnings or current conflicts -- captures the many flavors and traditions of the land and its people. This series is a wonderful means of encouraging young readers to the north to appreciate their neighbor''s rich heritage.

Looks at Mexico''s traditional ways of celebrating, including fireworks, music, dancing, recreations of historic battles, and productions of folk plays, and describes carnival, saint''s days, and holidays.

Looks at Mexico''s many ethnic groups, including Indians, the Europeans and Africans who arrived after the Spanish conquest, people of mixed origins, and recent immigrants, and discusses the Virgin of Guadalupe, work, family life, and related topics.

Looks at the major developments in Mexico''s history, including early civilizations, the colonial period, and the events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Looks at Mexico''s culinary traditions, including native foods, Spanish additions to the diet, favorite dishes, and everyday and holiday meals, and shares recipes for guacamole and rice pudding.

Looks at Mexico's colorful folk arts, including jewelry, embroidery, pottery, toys, and pinatas.

Harvest is a Marshall Cavendish publication.

Grade level: 4, 5, 6, e, i.