Playing Loteria /El Juego de la Loteria (Bilingual) [Multiple Languages]

by Rene Colato Lainez

Book Overview

Together a little boy and his grandma discover a world of language and realize that loved ones have special ways of understanding each other.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: Multiple Languages
• ISBN: 087358919X
• ISBN13: 9780873589192
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Cooper Square Pub
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 9.1" x 10.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Mexican Bingo

This is a bilingual book about the old game of loteria, which is similar to bingo and played widely in Mexican culture. The story is about a young boy who is (rather abruptly in the opening sentence) shipped off to stay with his Spanish speaking grandmother. He does not speak very much Spanish, how will they communicate? Ahhh, the magic of the cards, loteria! The story is told in the first person so we never learn the little boy's name. Abuelita(grandmother)meets him at the bus station and his foreign language adventure begins. They immediately go to a fair, listen to mariachi music and in general take in the smells,sights and sounds of the colorful festivites , which are detailed quite nicely. Abuelita owns a loteria stand and the little boy is explained the rules as the crowd gathers around to play. The children play the game and the little boy learns about loteria and his grandma. Later, once at home, through the cards, they both begin to learn each others language(English and Spanish) through the cards images and charades. The boy learns enough to eventually call the card game at abuelita's loteria stand. He eventually has to go home to return to school but not before the little boy has learned to speak Spanish better. The book is nicely illustrated throughout with full page colorful, dynamic drawings. There are also pictures drawn of the loteria cards and a section that explains the simple rules of the game. This book is a great teaching tool. It may be used in a variety of ways for a classroom of bilingual students. Recommended for K-8 school and community libraries.