K-3 | Vamos a Leer

Photo is courtesy of Yuyi Morales’s website.

This week, we would like to take a break from discussing exciting books our youngsters will enjoy and turn our focus to someone who is equally exciting and spends her time creating that work. Yuyi Morales, author and illustrator, has published several books which have not only been successful, but which epitomize the type of work we look to showcase here at Vamos a Leer.

Morales is a Mexican author and illustrator who was born in Xalapa, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States as an adult. Although she has written most of her work while in residence in California, she maintains her Mexican roots. In fact, much of her work has been influenced by her childhood in Mexico in what is known as the “City of Flowers” and her Mexican heritage. As an aside, the colorfulness of her personal website is indicative of the liveliness of her illustrations as well as the vivid color and imagery she utilizes in her work. Continue reading →

As the fall gets underway, we hope that all of the little ones are off to a good start. Most students (and teachers) tend to start out with a great vision for how the year will unfold. Thus, it is a great time to explore what the word vision means. To most of us, vision signifies a goal or a dream. To our students, it means much the same; however, many, especially the younger ones, have yet to develop a voice for what exactly it means to have a vision, or goals. Since Hispanic Heritage month is also underway, we thought it would be appropriate to share with our students the inspirational story of one young Latina and what it means to follow one’s dreams.