Editor’s note: We continue with our 31 Days of Reading in Spanish. Check out the book review below and don’t forget to enter our weekly GIVEAWAY of $100 worth of books in Spanish! This is the last week, so you have until July 31 to enter.

BOOK DESCRIPTION/REVIEW

Papelucho is a series of books by author Marcela Paz and it’s a children’s classic for all Chilean kids. Twelve books were published between 1947 and 1974 — it may seem outdated, but the beauty of Papelucho is that it is timeless! Papelucho is a young 8-year-old boy and all stories are told from his point of view in a diary entry style. He spends most of his days with his nanny, “Domitila” and he is a curious, observants and very funny boy.  There are very innocent and laugh out loud moments as he describes his world from the point of view of a child.

Papelucho was so much a part of my life that when I started blogging in 2010 that he was the inspiration for writing from my son’s point of view. For two years I wrote as my child and described a world as seen through young eyes. To this day, the series is still a best seller and ask any Chilean and they have great memories of Papelucho and call tell you about their favorite book!

BOOK DETAILS

Title: Papelucho (name of series)

Author: Marcela Paz

Ages: 8 — 100!

Publisher/Year: Editorial Sudamericana

Price: $5.99 Kindle version on Amazon.com

Before the age of 5, I had never spoken or heard anything but Spanish. My father was transferred within the Chilean Navy to Washington, D.C. just before my fifth birthday. It was supposed to be for two years and it ended up being five before we stepped back on Chilean soil.

During that time, I began school and of course had to learn English. My father lived in a Spanish-speaking world due to the nature of his work, and my mother worked at the Organization of American States (OAS) and also didn’t need too much English to survive, but took classes and eventually left to work from home to be with us.

One of the biggest arguments my parents had in the early days was what language to speak. My father insisted we only speak English so that we could learn as fast as possible and integrate. But my mother (not knowing any English) but having grown up speaking German in her home and then majoring in French, knew that growing up bilingual would benefit us, not hurt us. She also knew that speaking a language she didn’t dominate would mean her not having parental control in our daily lives, making it difficult to insist on respect as a parent,  possibly interfering with discipline, being mocked and drawing a clear divide between my parents and my brother and I (native vs non native speakers).

But she didn’t have it easy — she had enormous amounts of pressure from my teachers at school to only speak English and from other Chilean friends who insisted she would learn English faster if she used it with us.

Read: My Bilingual Son’s First Trip to Chile

However, she said she saw early on in me an ease in balancing two languages. She vividly remembers handing me a magazine in English and asking me to tell her what it said in Spanish, and me doing so without difficulty. We wrote letters to my abuelitos in Spanish and she taught me how to read and write. She used the very famous Silabario Hispano Americano (which you can download) and I will always remember her explaining the difference between “papa” and “papá” by pounding on the table to emphasize the accent on the last á.

Her hard work and insistence on speaking only Spanish came to fruition when we went back to Chile. I was 9 years old and taking a placement test for school. They were not sure how to deal with a student who had not been enrolled in a Chilean school, but my mother insisted I could take the written and oral test. I was testing for fourth grade at her former school and I not only passed, but I tested on par with the other students and there was no need to set me back or have a tutor. It was at that moment that my mother realized how her decision to raise us speaking only Spanish at home had paid off.

I wanted to share my story because many parents raising bilingual children have learned English later in life, have married someone whose first language is not English or who know the importance of two (or more languages) but have not experienced it themselves persay. I felt it important to share my own bilingual upbringing, my own memories of finding a balance between the two and to say, it works — so keep at it!

My six week trip home to Chile is coming to an end. This is by far the longest I have spent here in many, many years. In my last post I mentioned how happy I was to have my son hearing Spanish everywhere, improving his vocabulary and really practicing the language. But I also realized, that I a native speaker have also benefited from a complete language immersion. Spanish 100% of the time. No English whatsoever. No Spanglish, no filling in words with English. Nada.

And I tell you, it really does the brain some good. I too improved upon my Spanish, expanded my vocabulary and got up to date on the latest in Chilean Spanish. I say that because in the US I feel I speak a more neutral Spanish in order to accomodate with other variations of the language. I guarantee no one would understand my Chilean slang!

I also talk to myself a lot (I know, weird, but I’ve done this since I was a child). I noticed that I started talking to myself more in Spanish than in English and my dreams are all in Spanish whereas before they were a mix. I believe that a language that is not used, practiced, heard, or experienced culturally gets lost. And this I feel is what will happen with many Spanish speakers in the US because of lack of connection with the culture. Something we (especially as mothers) need to keep alive.

The first week we were here, Matías still spoke half in Spanish and half in English. Five weeks later, he is speaking no English at all to me, not even to fill in words and using Chilean sayings in the right context. He gets it! Even making jokes and developing a very cute Chilean accent “Si po’ mami” (“Po” is used here instead of “pues”). Even his beloved Backyardigans are all in Spanish and he pointed out to me “Mami, ellos dicen español”.

This language transformation, as I like to call it, has just reconfirmed what I felt was right all along and has also been the deciding factor for placing him in a Spanish immersion school. I am very lucky that in the Northern Virginia area, specifically in Fairfax and Arlington County schools there are many immersion programs, although now they seem to be in greater demand and the waiting lists are long.

I know that once we are back in the United States, back in our bilingual household he will slowly fall back on his Spanish and probably not speak it as much, but I will stand my ground. Even in our tiny corner of the world, I want him to hear it, speak it and experience it. I have spoken to him in Spanish since birth and I don’t feel comfortable switching over to English.

Our entire relationship is based in Spanish and that to me is a precious thing, one that I cannot see changing.

>{Image via patrickcoe}

Every time I come to Chile I am reminded of how lucky and priveldged I am to be able to travel and actually have a relationship with my family, that culturally I am well connected and most importantly that I speak the language, without that, I would be lost. I know that many who have come to the US have not been able to visit their country and if they have, maybe it’s once every few years. Growing up, I had no idea just how lucky I was to be able to travel to Chile every two years and spend our Christmases or summer vacations here (despite it being winter). My parents never intended on staying in the US, my father had been offered a job opportunity, but we never had plans to settle there. However, things happen, things change and after a few years in Chile we were back in the US and my mother made every effort to keep our Chilean identity no matter what — starting with the language.

There are so many things you don’t appreciate as a child. I despised when my mother spoke to me in Spanish in public, but she never once spoke to me in English. Not once. In our home we only spoke Spanish and it is still like that to this day. And because we traveled so often we were never completely disconnected from Chile. I often get asked, do you feel more American or Chilean? The truth is it’s 50/50 because of my connection and experiences here. I also get questioned about my Chilean “authenticity” because I don’t have an accent, but it’s my litte badge of honor and being fully bilingual is my secret weapon.

Now I’m in Chile again, this time it’s been three years since my last trip. My son is 3 years old and everyone in my family is in complete and total awe that this little American boy speaks perfect Spanish despite coming from a home where I am the only one who speaks to him in Spanish and my husband speaks to him in English. To be honest, I am beyond proud, I am glowing. I got emotional when I heard my son and my Opa (my abuelo) having a conversation in Spanish. But I know this is a pivotal moment, I am literally sitting on the bilingual fence here. I am living in a time where the language could easily be lost if I don’t work at it and make a concentrated effort to educate my son bilingual. I could just give up and speak to him in English, but I don’t. Good thing is, it is not an effort for me, it comes naturally and he senses that.

Having come to US at a later age increased my chances of keeping the language, but it decreased when I married a non-native speaker and we don’t live in a Spanish speaking country (you could argue this). I do think the Spanish language in the US will be lost if it’s not for persistance from us parents. Yes, it is a lot of work to raise a bilingual child. It takes patience, perseverance and you also have to consider the child’s learning style and capabilities. My brother was raised the same way I was, spent the same amount of time in Chile but has a more difficult time reading and writing. It just didn’t come easy for him. So when I hear Matías translate for my husband or say that he wants to teach Oma, (my abuelita) English, I realize he has a gift, he has an ability and one that needs to be nurtured and managed. This is the only way the Spanish language will continue to thrive and strengthen within this new generation of speakers.

How difficult has it been for you to raise bilingual children?

{Image courtesy María José Ovalle}

I absolutely love cooking for my son.  Although, he’s only three years old, he knows his mom is happy when he “hmmms!” and “ohh ricos!” my food.  This week, he’ll be starting preschool and I want his first day to be a memorable one.  For his first official school lunch, I will be packing some Chilean empanadas we learned how to make from one of his favorite shows on PBS KIDS GO!, Postcards from Buster!

Not only did we learn how to make these kid-friendly empanadas inspired by Buster’s trip to Chile, but we also learned about life in this magnificent country.  In Buster’s excursion, he visited beautiful “cascadas”, searched for fossils in the Andes Mountains and learned about odes as he visited our favorite poet’s home, Pablo Neruda.

Perfect for cooking with children, these empanadas are very fun to make because their little hands can mold and fold the ready-made dough.  Fill them with savory ingredients or their favorite marmalade for a warm and sweet dessert.

Chilean Chicken Empanadas Recipe

Recipe from Postcards from Buster

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked and chopped chicken breast
1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack (or cheddar) cheese
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons salsa
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 ready-made pie crust, top and bottom
A little flour (so the crust doesn’t stick)
Small cup or bowl, half full of water
*1 egg, lightly beaten for egg wash (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

To make the empanada filling, mix all ingredients (except pie crust, egg, flour, and water) in a large bowl. Set aside.

On a floured surface, extend pie crust and divide in quarters.  Roll each quarter into a ball and extend with rolling pin.  Repeat with each quarter.

Place 2 tablespoons of the filling in the middle of a crust circle. Then wet your fingers with the water and moisten the entire edge of the crust. Bring one side of the crust up and over the filling until it reaches the other edge of the crust, making a half-moon shape with the filling inside.

Repeat until all circles are filled.

Place them in a lightly greased baking sheet and brush with egg wash.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and let them cool completely.  Serve and enjoy!

You can find this recipe, plus activity sheets and lesson plans, Buster´s blog, videos of past Postcards from Buster shows and more at: pbs.org/parents/buster/.

Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le… VIVA CHILE!

¡Sí! I am a very proud Chilena. Since I was a child I have moved back and forth a few times from Chile to the US. After I was 11 we stayed in the US but I was very fortunate to have traveled to Chile every two years without fail. I have worked there, have very close relationships with friends and family, was married there, honeymooned there and after my son was born I waited to have him baptized there in front of my very large family. I am a strong supporter of bilingual upbringings and I am raising my son Matías with both English and Spanish.

So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that in a new episode of the PBS KIDS GO! Arthur spin-off series Postcards from Buster called “Vamos Buster”, the reluctant adventurist rabbit from Arthur would be off exploring…mi Chile! Buster himself is thrilled, but when Muffy connects him to her friend Carolina, who wrote a book about saving dolphins from an oil spill in the Amazon, Buster is nervous that he’s not daring enough to keep up with the locals. His nervousness increases throughout his own adventures, which include a horseback excursion to “cascadas,” fossil hunting in the Andes Mountains, and a kayaking trip to see penguins. But when Carolina takes him to her favorite place of all, the poet Pablo Neruda’s house, Buster realizes that the best adventure has been exploring what makes Chile unique and writes his own ode to Chile.

My sister, her boyfriend who is also Chilean, my son and I all sat down to watch it together. A silence came over us as we focused on the very familiar scenes of the snow covered Andes where we have skied on so many times.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, Buster meets Carolina his tour guide and friend in Santiago. She takes him up el Cerro San Cristóbal in Santiago the capital city on the funicular or cable car. There they can see a view of the entire city. Good thing it was a clear and sunny day; sadly Santiago has a smog problem which prevents seeing its lovely views.

María José with her family in Viña del Mar, Chile. © María Jose Ovalle

Buster was then taken to el campo or the country side to see a Chilean rodeo and got to ride a horse with the cowboys called huasos. My sister glanced over at me and said “This is episode is so good. They really capture the true essence of Chile.”  Matías was sitting on my lap and I said “Mira, eso es Chile! Ahí vamos a ir este año. Ahí es donde nació la mami”.  He just looked back at me and said “CHILE!”

The show really focused on the landscape and the uniqueness of Chile. It is a country where in one day you could be in the dessert, then go skiing, then hike up a volcano, go to the beach and dig for fossils. Watching Buster on his adventures made me remember the beauty of my country and I can’t wait to take my son this July, and of course enjoy the wine and empanadas! Next time Buster visits; he needs to let us know so that I can take him to my hometown of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso.

I’m pretty sure Chile makes Buster’s top 5 places to visit in the world. As for me, mi Chilito is my number one place in the world.

Just check out this clip from the show so you can see how perfect this is for our bilingual/bicultural niños to learn more about Chile:

Oh, but the fun doesn’t end there! You too can join in and continue to celebrate this episode. You and your kids can learn to make Chilean empanadas (SpanglishBaby food contributor, Ericka Sánchez, will actually be testing out Buster´s Chilean empanadas recipes and sharing with us here tomorrow!), read a new blog post from Buster about his trip, and test your knowledge of Chile in Buster’s International Game Show, all available online  at pbskidsgo.org/buster.

Coming up in March, Buster will continue on his travels as PBS KIDS GO! revisits Buster’s past international excursions to Venice, Italy (“Ciao, Buster”), Beijing, China (“Buster in Beijing”), and Cairo, Egypt (“Buster’s Egyptian Adventure”). Check local listings for exact dates and airtime’s.

And don’t forget to check out the activity pack both parents and teachers can download that contains more information and activities that allows the kids to continue learning even after the episode has aired. You can find these and more at: pbs.org/parents/buster/.

Disclosure: We received compensation for this post, but would have shared this information with you anyway.