There is nothing like a good bedtime story and a cup of milk before bed. Bedtime routines are a great way to help our kids wind down and practice español in a relaxed environment. It’s not just the ritual that helps our niños, or us, sleep better. Steve James, Executive Director of the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB) says that “the amino-acid trypotophan naturally found in milk helps people relax and improve the quality of sleep which gives parents yet another reason to make sure it’s part of kids’ bedtime routine.”

Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children’s sleeping patterns are linked to their overall academic success? When our kids sleep better it results in improved attention span in the classroom and reduced absences and tardiness during the school year. Makes sense right? That’s why the CMPB, the creator of GOT MILK? and TOMA LECHE, has teamed up with International Latino Book Award winner and acclaimed children’s author, Jorge Argueta, to launch the 2013 Bedtime Ritual campaign. “This partnership with TOMA LECHE is an opportunity to pass along our language and rich Latino traditions to young boys and girls everywhere. There’s no better way to prepare for the day ahead than with a glass of milk and a bedtime story!” says Argueta.

TOMA LECHE is airing 30-second TV spots that encourage families to have a nightly routine with their kids and Salvadoran writer and poet Argueta will share some of his award-winning work and introduce seven bilingual milk-themed bedtime children’s stories that were especially created for this campaign. The best part is that they are available for free as downloadable stories at Otros Cuentos! If you’re more of a mobile user the stories are also available through Google Play.

For more information, news, tips and bedtime stories, visit Toma Leche, Otros Cuentos.

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!

BOOK DESCRIPTION/REVIEW

When it comes to story time, my 4-year-old son is the one in charge of the evening’s literary adventure of choice. But when I surprised him with Jorge Argueta’s Guacamole, his eyes lit up with delight when he saw the vivid and beautiful illustrations by Margarita Sada.

I was just as excited to read this book to my son as he was. Centered on two of my passions that I strive to instill in my son, cooking and poetry, this book was such a joy to experience with him.

The poem follows three playful siblings on their quest to prepare guacamole. Following the recipe’s instructions, each cooking step is brought to life with added song, dance and rhythmic repetition. The happy children are tiny enough to dance under the kitchen faucet as they rinse cilantro sprigs and ride a lime peel as they navigate the river of its own juice.

The story explains and describes the texture and taste of guacamole and its ingredients one by one with an added flair and vivid description. This is the perfect cooking poem for the entire family to enjoy.

     BOOK DETAILS

      Title: Guacamole

      Author: Jorge Argueta

Illustrator: Margarita Sada

      Publisher/Year:  Groundwood Books/2012

      Ages: 4-7 years

      ISBN: 978-155-498-133-5

      Price: $14.75 on Amazon.com

      Website: jorgeargueta.com

With few exceptions, I’ve never been a huge poetry fan — mostly because I wasn’t really exposed to poems growing up, other than the obligatory ones for school. But I love the beauty, repetition and rhythm in children’s poetry and how great they can be to explain certain concepts in simple terms.

To celebrate Children’s Poetry Day on March 21, I wanted to share some of our favorite bilingual children’s poetry books:

Poems to Dream Together/Poemas para Soñar Juntos by Francisco X. Alarcón — This was the first book of poetry I read to my daughter. I had the pleasure of interviewing award-winning Chicano poet Alarcón who told me that he writes poetry for children because “I believe poetry is a direct way to empower children, so that they can see themselves not just as ‘readers’ of poetry but as ‘creators’ of poetry”. Alcarcón has written several books of poetry for children; this particular one is perfect to explore dreams both literally and figuratively.

Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Qué rico! by Pat Mora — This series of haikus is perfect to teach little kids the colors and names of all kinds of yummy foods native to the Americas. It’s one of Santiago’s favorites! Although not fully bilingual, Spanish words are embedded in the English version and there’s a Spanish version of the book too.

Guacamole: un poema para cocinar/A cooking poem by Jorge Argueta — This is the third in a series of cooking poems written by Argueta and jus like it’s title says, it’s a poem to learn how to make delicious guacamole, one of my daughter’s favorite Mexican dishes.

Sol a Sol by Lori Marie Carlson — A collection of bilingual poems written and selected by Carlson. We found this in our local library and my kids were delighted by the poems, which basically tell the story of a family from when the sun rises to when the sun sets.

¡Muu, Moo! Rimas de animales/Animal Nursery Rhymes by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy — Another one of Santiago’s favorite, these traditional nursery rhymes from Latin America, Spain and the United States will probably bring back some memories of your own childhood. The collection also includes original poems by Ada an Campoy. A great baby shower gift!