Las vacas no pueden saltar - Cows Can't Jump

This is a sponsored book post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. It may use affiliate links.

I frequently get requests from bilingual families for book recommendations. And now that I have an almost preschooler in my house again, I'm always on the lookout for bilingual board books with full text in both English and Spanish. But they can be hard to find. So after I saw a copy of Las vacas no pueden saltar (aff link), I knew it was a good fit for MommyMaestra readers.

In fact, while I was looking at a review copy of the book, my 2-year-old walked into the room and immediately crawled onto my lap demanding that I read it to him. Which I was happy to do. When we finished, I asked him what he could and couldn't do. He said he couldn't fly, but that he could jump, jump, JUMP. (He then promptly proved it.)

Have you seen the English version, Cows Can't Jump, by Dave Reisman? Well, the bilingual version is even better because it allows bilingual families or classrooms to choose which language they want to focus on while reading. And the storyline is equally fun in both languages for little people with big imaginations. 

Reisman's book introduces children to animals and their abilities. You'll discover not only what specific animals can't do, but also what they CAN do. Check out this excerpt from the book...

"Los gorilas no pueden nadar...pero pueden columpiarse. Las jirafas no pueden columpiarse...pero pueden galopar.

Gorillas can't swim...but they can swing. Giraffes can't swing...but they can gallop." 

And so this book goes, on and on, animal after animal, teaching children all about animals and their special skills. Beautiful in its simplicity, the literacy nut in me delights in all the action verbs that children learn about as they go through the book.

For these exact reasons, this book is a treasure for language learners, also. What a great way to teach vocabulary - especially Spanish reflexive verbs!

The illustrations are engaging, too. Each page shows the subject animal doing - or not doing as the case may be - the various activities. Take a look...

What I love best about this book is how it prompted my toddler to go and find all his animal figures and start playing with them. Imaginative play is so important! And that, to me, is what makes a book a keeper.

Las vacas no pueden saltar / Cows Can't Jump is available both in paperback and board book versions.

App Review: Story Bug by Cricket Magazine

When my kids were little, we moved half way across the country far away from family. How I wish I'd had access to an app like this! Cricket Media has discovered a way to eliminate those distance barriers with their latest app, Story Bug. Whether you are a parent who travels far away from home for work, or a grandparent who is looking for opportunities to bond with your grandchild, or a military family that moves on a regular basis, this app makes those special moments with infants and toddlers possible.

Name: Story Bug
Subject(s): Reading
Brief Description: A new reading app that combines video chat with an interactive reader, allowing young people and adults in different locations to read specially curated selections drawn from Cricket Media’s portfolio of acclaimed children’s magazines including Babybug, Ladybug and Click.
Price: Free w/in-app subscriptions
Language: English
Ages: 0 - 6
Device: iOS 

What I like:

This is the perfect app for families! Story Bug allows children and adults who are in different cities, states, or even countries to enjoy reading time together. The app itself is free to download and comes with two free eBooks. Additional books can be accessed via an in-app subscription ($4,99/mo, $14.99/6-mos, $24.99/yr). You only pay for the subscription once and you can add as many family members as you'd like, so even abuelita or Tía María can take turns reading to your nene every day. 

Your subscription gives you access to dozens of books, magazines, and stories from Cricket Media, including Babybug, Ladybug, and Click. More stories are being added monthly.

Since both parties see the same screen, you can read aloud to your child if you are away at a conference, turning the pages at the same time. Both screens even show where the other person is pointing, so you can direct your child's attention to specific images and words. 

You also have the option to upload photos of each user, and these profile pictures appear at the top of the screen, so little children can see the face of their loved one while listening to him or her read the story (and vice versa). 

This is such a great app for early learners and the materials cover critical developmental topics, such as letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and more.

What needs work:
It doesn't appear to be available with their Spanish magazines yet. And it would be especially great if it were available on Android devices, too. 

Disclosure: I received access to this app for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Reading to Baby

A few days ago, I found it odd that by 7am my two year old had not called out for me. I peeked into his room and found him "reading" in his crib. He was flipping pages and pointing at the pictures just like I do when I read to him and his brothers. I remember relaxing and thinking, "Perfect! That makes 3 life-long readers."

How early can parents help turn children into strong readers? I started my three boys at birth and already know that at age 7, 3 1/2, and 2, they will enjoy reading their whole lives! Not only will they read for pleasure but it will help them immensely with other subjects throughout their academic years.

Reading to babies is super important, as well as having babies handle, play, and chew on books (board books are the best!).

Here are 5 reasons why you should start reading to your baby now: 

1) Listening skills are developed early. Babies love the sound of mami or daddy's voice, especially when it changes from high pitched to low. My boys love my barking voice when reading about dogs! They enjoy the pattern and rhythm of a story and the sounds every single thing seems to have.

2) Language skills are developed early. The more we read and talk to babies, the faster they will start to express themselves verbally. Books also help us start different conversations and themes that normally wouldn't come up in a regular day. Keep in mind that sounds that build vocabulary are learned in the first year! 

3) Reading is great for baby's memory. My two year old can already finish a few sentences from "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom." When I read, "Will there be enough room?" Jordi answers, "NO!" He's right! Two-year-old children will memorize quickly and that means they are strengthening their little brain muscles. If baby wants you to read the same book over and over again, please do! Repetition is brilliant!

4) They learn about the world around them. Where did the car go? What color is the sky? Who is this fish? Let's count in Spanish... Babies start to understand that books speak the truth. They understand that there is something happening in books just like in our real lives. Jordi points at a sad face in his book and knows that the character is feeling something.  There is more to numbers, letters, shapes, and animals in board books. We can teach babies about feelings, places, and experiences! 

5) Reading becomes the norm.  Read to your baby now and see that as they get older (and see you do it too!) that they will always turn to books for enjoyment. It's never too late to start making it a daily routine. The best part of reading together every single day? Snuggles and love!

Betty Galvan, is writing "for smart and stylish moms" over

at MyFriendBettySays.com