Written by José-Luis Orozco, illustrated by Sara Palacios.
Canta Conmigo is one of those gems lost in the quarantine year. I did not come across the title until last year and am writing this after our second checkout. With captivating lyrics and energetic illustrations, children and parents will not tire of the repetition, but will reinforce advanced Spanish vocabulary with each page turn.
Because of the content, this title is perfect for babies through about 8-year-olds. It is a great companion to Susan Middleton Elya’s La Madre Goose (2016). I definitely would gift both as a presents to new bilingual parents because they each carry such different artistic vibes.
About the Author
José-Luis Orozco could be considered the Hispanic Raffi (both are actually contemporaries, born the same year, 1948). I listened to his songs in the bilingual classroom back in 1995, and most libraries and educators likely still gravitate toward using his content in the classroom. In 2020, he celebrated 50 years of providing children’s music and has received many recognitions for his work in this sector.
His latest bilingual album, ¡Muévete!, containing 9 tracks in Spanish and their English translations, incites a healthy body and mind to a new generation of children. The songs are all sure to get kids dancing, and laughing especially Popcorn, which has children jump every time they hear “pop.”
About the Book
Canta Conmigo does not come with a CD or audio but the six songs are classics that parents can easily sing along.
- The ABC/El ABC
Orozco really makes you realize how easy it has been to sing this classic tune in Spanish all along, without leaving out the Ñ. - Where is Thumbkin? / Pulgarcito
This one teaches or reminds bilingual parents the proper names for our fingers: hint: Señor Anular is your Ringman. - Wheels on the Bus / Las ruedas del camión
Orozco stays true to the translation of this popular children’s song, even changing the spelling of swish to “suish” for the Spanish version. - Old McDonald / Juancho Pancho
I love the complete deviation here from the identity of Old McDonald to Juancho Pancho. Palacios’ illustrations obviously represent Hispanic characters but the use of “Juancho” instead of say “Juan” introduces another layer of flavor to the Spanish version.
Orozco also choses to replace “E-I-E-I-O” with “ay ay ay ay ay” in his version. At first this annoyed me, as it appeared too stereotypically Mexican, but then I realized I had to add more soul, and had fun channeling my Cielito Lindo “aays,” after which I loved his version. - The Eensy Weensy Spider / La araña pequeñita
Again, Orozco does not deviate much from the English version. I did love the inclusion of the Araña Grandotoda / Great Big Spider on the following spread and always made my voice deeper when singing the bigger spider version. - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / Estrellita
I actually do not know the original English lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle and it seems this is the nursery rhyme with which translators always take the most liberty. Orozco’s is sweet and a fitting conclusion to Palacios’ visual story line.
About the Illustrator
Sara Palacios, originally from Mexico City like Orozco, has a repertoire of children’s books to her name. Palacios truly contributes a unique stroke to the children’s illustrator canvas. Her art has grown since my introduction to her with Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match (2011). I am ecstatic to see Latino artists thriving and receiving awards for their talent. Palacios has a unique relationship with light and shadow that elevates her illustrations. The vibrant pastels that set her apart still predominate and identify her work.
What I love about Canta Conmigo is that Palacios ties the six unrelated songs and weaves them (pun totally intended) through a visual storyline. We do not know his name yet, but Juancho Pancho is actually the boy and girl’s father, whom we see in the title page, sending them off on the bus to school. In the classroom, the girl sings the ABC’s, after which her younger brother joins her to wait for Abuelita after school. Abuelita then accompanies them on the bus back to their farm, where Juancho Pancho eventually reads them a bedtime story after some afternoon outdoor play.
There are cultural Easter eggs in Palacios’ illustrations such as the names of the establishments in town and the boy’s luchador plushy. Palacio works with a lot of diverse authors to help tell their stories. She is a perfect illustrator for the dual language classroom or to learn about new cultures with your children.
More Bilingual Books by Palacios
Below is Between Us and Abuela (2019), a title dealing with immigration on the U.S./Mexico border, in a gentle yet conscious way:
A Song of Fruits (2021) is a celebration of the fruteros, the street vendors found in Mexico, Latin-America and many Hispanic communities in the United States. In this version, the grandfather lives in Cuba, where he is called a pregonero for singing to attract customers and make sales:
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