25 Latino Craft Projects

From School Library Journal
A good resource to have on hand to help support multicultural curriculum programming. Following an excellent chapter on planning, the projects are organized around important Latino holidays and are inspired by artesenias (Latino folk art) traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. For each celebration, there is a suggested program for preschoolers, after-schoolers, and families; each program incorporates the craft with songs, poems, and books. Activities include making pinatas, paper flowers, sweet tamales, and salsa. Each project includes a brief background, supplies needed, clear instructions, and recommended books to round out the activity. Each chapter ends with a list of additional songs and poems. Black-and-white photos accompany some of the instructions. The annotated bibliography is an excellent source to refer to when deciding which other books to use to round out a storytime/craft program.
Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CA

From Library Journal
Two California children's services librarians offer step-by-step guidance, along with detailed instructions and photographs, for 25 crafts projects that revolve around Latino holidays (Cinco de Mayo, Hispanic Heritage Month, Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos, and Christmas/Navidad) and are inspired by (mostly Mexican) folk traditions. The projects include masks, cornhusk dolls, and pi$atas and require inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. Each chapter also includes suggested books to encourage children to read and additional activities for families.-WWW