Definitely Dominguita Chapter Book Series

This is a sponsored book post that uses affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post uses affiliate links.

It was 1961 and Terry Catasús Jennings was only 12 years old when her family arrived in the U.S. from Cuba. She could count in English and recite the days of the week and the months of the year...but that was about it. The day after they arrived, she was enrolled in 7th grade. 

Since then, Terry has grown up to become a writer of non-fiction, or fact-based fiction children's books. But she has been inspired to take the leap and write this new series of children's books called Definitely Dominguita. The first two books in this series launched last week. 

This new chapter book series is full of fun and adventure, but also touches on serious issues such as bullying and the loss of family when they move away. Dominguita is the daughter of immigrants and marches to the beat of her own drum. I love that she is an avid reader, who loves the classics. In the first book of the series, Knight of the Cape (aff link), Dominguita is inspired by the story of Don Quixote, a book that she read with her beloved Abuela. And in the second, Captain Dom's Treasure (aff), she finds an old map in the back of a library book - Treasure Island! Of course, Dominguita gets carried away and passionately sets out in search of the treasure with her friends. Her bravery and determination to stay true to herself will inspire young readers. 

Illustrations by Fátima Anaya are scattered throughout the books. They help bring the stories to life. I especially appreciate the diversity of the characters in the book. Not only is it inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds, but it introduces them to children who may no otherwise interact with people of color.

I can totally related to this series because Dominguita reminds me so much of myself when I was young - shy, reading, close to family, and not a lot of friends. I wish my daughter was younger so that I could introduce this series to her.

And I think that there are a lot of young girls who will absolutely love this story and relate to Dominguita and how she feels.

You can also find an Educator's Guide and Activity Kit available for free download on the author's website. Both are fantastic and very creative. 

You can find them now at your local bookstore or you can use my affiliate links below to purchase them from Amazon...

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz - Lesson Plans, Videos, and Books for Kids

                                      A portrait of Juana during her youth in 1666, which states she was 15 at the time

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz has been on my mind a lot lately. She was a 17th-century nun, self-taught scholar, and poet. Her passion for women's education has led to her being recognized as the first (published) feminist in the "New" World. 

In fact, Juana was a child prodigy who learned to read and write in Latin when she was three and wrote her first poem when she was eight. A voracious reader, Juana was mostly self educated as women were not allowed to attend the university. But her pursuit of knowledge and great intelligence soon earned her a reputation and the nickname "The Tenth Muse."

Juana rejected many marriage proposals and instead embraced the church, becoming a nun so that she could continue her freedom to study. Her library is thought to have been one of the largest with more than 4,000 books. And she was quite a prolific writer, but few of her writings remain. She wrote poetry in all its various forms (sonnets, ballads, odes, etc.), plays, and even villancicos (carols). 

Unfortunately, Sor Juana's outspoken nature eventually resulted in punishment by the Catholic church. She frequently challenged the church's patriarchy and the final straw was her critique of a sermon by a Jesuit preacher. It led to the confiscation of her library,  as well as her scientific and musical instruments. Sor Juana's final written words appear to have been a document of penitence which she bitterly signed "Yo, la Peor de Todas" ("I, the worst of all women").

Despite this, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is recognized today as one of the most influential writers of her time, and is considered a national icon of Mexico. She is said to embody the bridge between the Spanish Golden Age and the Enlightenment, Spain and New Spain, and Catholic philosophy and scientific pursuits.

Equally important, Sor Juana’s outstanding poetry and other writings make her a major figure at the beginning of Mexican literature.

She really was a fascinating woman and remarkable historical figure. There's so much more I could write about her, but I'll let you or your students do some research. And the videos included below are wonderful. 

I truly wish there were more resources for children about her. I have listed a few materials below and am working on some printables for a variety of ages. I'll add them to the bottom of this post when they are complete. 

Retrato de Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695), painted by Juan de Miranda

Lesson Plans

• Teacher's Guide for A Library for Juana (K - 2nd) :: Lee & Low Books
  
  
• Writing Opinions About Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (4 - 5th grades) :: Education.com
  
  
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: The First Great Latin American Poet (9 - 12 grades) :: Edsitement
  
  
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Obedience and Rebellion from the Convent (Lesson) (9 - 12th) :: University of Texas at Austin

Books

Videos

I really enjoyed this video from TED-Ed, though I think the title is not quite accurate:

Another good one from BESE (best for older students):

Printables

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Coloring Activities
(PreK - 2nd)

Two coloring and counting activities to introduce little ones to Sor Juana. Strengthen number recognition and number order with this simple set of activities.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Reading Passage & Comp Questions

(4th - 8th)

This is a brief history of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century nun, self-taught scholar, and poet. Learn who she was and why she is significant in world history. This informational text is written for students in 4th - 8th grade. It includes an 6-question comprehension quiz plus answer key.

You May Also Like Learning About...

Here are some of my other posts and reading passages that you may enjoy for Women's History Month.

• Welcome to Women's History Month
• Dolores Huerta Lesson Plans, Activities, Coloring Sheets and More
• Frida Kahlo Lesson Plans, Activities, Coloring Sheets and More
• Women in History: St. Katharine Drexel
• Las Adelitas for Kids & Young Adults
• Susan B. Anthony Glossary for Families
• Women in World History Activity Pack
• 3 Hispanic Women Who Rocked World History

Kid Writers Live with Lulu Delacre TONIGHT

What a wonderful opportunity! Don't miss this live event with the most wonderful author, Lulu Delacre. I've worked with her before on various projects and she is simply the loveliest person. And SO great with children. Her books are treasures that should be in every Hispanic family's home library. 

TONIGHT!

Join children's author and illustrator Lulu Delacre tonight (Monday, Sept 28th) at 6 pm ET as she answers 10 questions with a story, anecdote, book reading, visual demonstration, and/or a look around her studio.

From the event page:

Three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree Lulu Delacre has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1980. The New York Times Bestselling artist was born and raised in Puerto Rico to Argentinean parents. Delacre says her Latino heritage and her life experiences inform her work. Her 42 titles include Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America, a Horn Book Fanfare Book in print for over 30 years. Her bilingual picture book ¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! Descubriendo el bosque nublado; Olinguito, from A to Z! Unveiling the Cloud Forest and her story collection Us, in Progress: Short Stories About Young Latinos have received multiple starred reviews and awards. Among her latest works are the art of Turning Pages by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Luci Soars. Delacre has lectured internationally and served as a juror for the National Book Awards. She has exhibited at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, The Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators in New York, the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, and the Zimmerli Art Museum among other venues. Reading is Fundamental honored her with a Champion of Children’s Literacy Award. For more visit her at www.luludelacre.com. Find her @luludelacre.

This online event is hosted by Enoch Pratt Free Library, Carroll County Public Library, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, and Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County. 

How to access it:

Visit the Facebook event page to find the link and register for this FREE event.

Enjoy!