SB Finds : Movies, TV & Music

Whenever a new music CD for my kids enters our house, I soon end up mentally filing it under one of three categories.  First, we have the ultra-screechy children’s music that I would rather not listen to (but that my kids often adore).  Then, there are the rare few CDs that I like so much I’ve been known to listen to them in the car or while I’m working–without the kids.  And finally, there is a lovely middle ground, CDsRead More ...

If there’s one thing we Latinos know how to do, it’s to party!  I don’t say that lightly. I take my salsa dancing very seriously. Problem is, I haven’t been getting much of it lately, and by “lately” I mean count in  years, not days or months.  This mamá doesn´t get to fiestar as much as she used to, or would like to. But, who´s to say I can´t dance whenever  I feel like it?  That´s just what I´ve beenRead More ...

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico´s independence (no, it´s not celebrated on 5 de mayo!) and we’re already preparing for it. Living in the U.S. it´s nearly impossible not to be influenced by one of the myriad elements that make up the rich and diverse Mexican culture.  It imbues or food, our TV screens, our slang and our music.  Mexican music has influenced genres across the board and still continues to be predominant on the scene.  But fewRead More ...

  As soon as we finished watching Speaking in Tongues, an inspiring documentary film which follows the journey of four children as they become bilingual while immersed in dual language programs, my husband turned to me and declared: “We have to do the same for Vanessa.” The award-winning film, produced and directed by the husband-and-wife team of Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider, showcases the stories of four kids—and their families—from completely different backgrounds as they struggle and triumph at becomingRead More ...

If  you are really into authentic Latin rhythms and beats like salsa, cumbia and bachata and your kids share your musical taste, then you will definitely be into the Chakuchukuchá vibe. This CD was created by Gloria Rojas, a bilingual speech/language pathologist, who, based on her own experience as a child immigrant having to quickly learn a new language, created a program to teach children a second language through the effective use on songs, sign language and movement.  And whatRead More ...

Ducks, pigs, cows and chickens that are too hilarious and mischievous for their own good, are the main characters in Doreen Cronin’s beloved children’s stories. Scholastic Storybook Treasures, the DVD that brings books to life, has just released a new DVD titled Giggle, Giggle, Quack…and more stories by Doreen Cronin, featuring five of Cronin’s most popular stories. As soon as I found out that they included a Spanish version of both “Giggle, Giggle, Quack” and “Duck for President” on theRead More ...

As soon as I heard Abuelita Rosa sing, I was transported back to Miami. I felt like I was in a Cuban bakery, sipping a delicious cafecito cubano while munching a pastelito de guava. I know that probably sounds strange, but after spending the majority of my life in Miami, it’s impossible not to recognize the accent I immediately associate with the Caribbean – particularly Cuba. Needless to say, I felt like I was back in the place I calledRead More ...

Music is one of the most effective ways to learn and/or maintain a language, especially at the critical age of 2 to 6. The husband and wife team that created the Sing-A-Lingo music program understand that very well and are making life a musical in Spanish for many children with their CDs, books and other original learning tools. We received their multiple award-winning En Mi Casa CD, a singable book, stickers, and lyric and vocabulary cards all to accompany theRead More ...