Giveaway: First Spanish Words book

A few feet from the cubicle I called home for many years, there was a Free Table. That's where all the "graft'' PR people sent the newsroom got put up for grabs. There were CDs, books, T-shirts, toothpaste, cookies. You name it. It was excessive and ridiculous and very fun. We got to try out new ice cream flavors first and read future best-sellers before they hit the stands. See, it used to be fun to be a journalist.

It appears my cyber cubicle has become a Free Table. 

I'm getting asked with more regularity to tell you, the reader, about new books, videos, toys, etc. I gladly will as long as it is something 1) I would buy myself and 2) it fits in with the spirit of this blog -- which is to futher not just love of guinea fowl but bilingualism and diversity.

So, the most recent loveliness to land on my desk: First Spanish Words, illustrated by David Melling and published by Oxford University Press. List price: $12.95.

The book, released earlier this month, is bright and colorful, depicting scenes of everyday life -- like school, the grocery store, a museum outing.

Our two favorite pages are Magia Animal (Animal Magic). It's full of energy and movement and reminds me that a walrus is a morsa. I keep forgetting that. The bedtime page (A la Cama) shows a dad snuggled up reading in bed with two children, while the characters of favorite stories fill up the room. There's the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and a friendly ghost.

The book description says the reading level is for ages 9 to 12, but really, this is the kind of book to leave within easy reach of a toddler or preschooler...or a Mami who regularly forgets how to say kettle or slide in Spanish.

In the back pages, there are shapes, counting and opposites words pages. Useful and fun. There are more than 400 words depicted in the book.

So, we're sharing our good Free Table fortunes with you. If you'd like to have this sweet Spanish picture book here are the rules: 

- Leave a comment on this post and tell me what Spanish word you constantly forget or mess up. If you don't speak Spanish, tell me what English word confounds you.

- One entry per person.

- You have until midnight EST on Monday, Nov.3 to enter.

- Anonymous comments are not eligible.

- You must live in the United States or Canada. 

- The winner will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- Election Day.

Have a safe Halloween and a great weekend.

Tell me how beautiful my Guinea fowl are

We are officially the crazy people with the "strange plucked turkeys,'' as one man who stopped in my driveway put it.

The guineas are 4.5-months-old and they're apparently as entertaining to the people who drive by as they are to me. People are parking in our drive to watch them and my husband and I get stopped on our way in and out by people curious about the birds. 

You see, despite having wooded acreage and many crawling bugs by the house, the gang prefers to hang out in the grassy patch out front. I hung out with them longer than usual this morning and lured them to the back of the property with food. They are a wonderful escape from housekeeping and deadlines and politics y la buya.

And so because it has been a while since I photographed them, here they are, in all their juvenile glory. 

And no, we won't be making sopa (soup) out of them.

At Parenting.com: Pass the Reese's

I am not on vacation again, just a little busy with Pollitos and PR. Hang in there with me un poco.

Some of you who follow along here regularly may know Maria was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she was 1. Well, la Nena got a new diagnosis last week and she has outgrown her nut allergy.

It is a whole new day, let me tell you. Our gratitude knows no bounds for this gift.

I wrote about it with a little more detail over at Parenting.com today.

Next week, I begin a regular gig volunteering in her classroom, working with the kids on their reading in Spanish. If, perhaps, I can help the nenes to read in the Mother Tongue, then maybe I will increase my own regular usage, which has been slipping slowly downhill lately. My guess is the exercise will provide mucho blogging fodder, as those bilingual kids are hee-larious -- in both languages.

Giveaway: Free Reina doll

One of my favorite online places to shop, Dolls Like Me, is giving away a Friends Forever Reina doll and book.  The doll is 19'' tall and is a muy preciosa Latina.

Contest runs though Nov. 15. No purchase necessary.

If you're looking for gifts that celebrate culture -- and have someone else do the shipping for you -- shop at Dolls Like Me.  Tell the owner, Denise, I said hey...

Wonderful Global Wonders

I have a semi-automatic reaction to "ethnic'' media. Maybe blame it on TV comedies and movies that tend to portray non-Hispanic, white Americans as caricatures of one dimension. But, other than the ick Tico the Squirrel gives me, the kid books and videos we own that depict Latinos and Hispanic culture, have been great -- a lively and colorful way to inspire and educate Maria on this bloodline of hers.

So, here's a new series I'm happy about: Global Wonders, a DVD collection that teaches children about culture and customs.

Global Wonders launched this week with four titles: Around the World, India, Mexico and African American.

We got a review copy of the Mexico DVD and I watched it by myself. Maria hasn't seen it yet, because if you read my post from Wednesday, you know she's on a TV fast.

Anyway, I am looking forward to sharing it with her. It was delightful and entertaining and the real pictures of Mexico and its people mixed in with the cartoon characters were great (and even made me hungry). I can guarantee Maria is going to love it and no doubt she's going to instantly memorize the catchy "Hello Song.''

Global Wonders hit the highlights, from Spanish words and music to enchiladas to quinceañeras to Dia de los Muertos. A little predictable, maybe, if you live it. But, educational if you don't and certainly reinforcing if you do. The Mexican video will certainly allow Hispanic kids like mine to see and hear reflections of themselves through the charming and colorful characters and imagery.

Here's what Global Wonders says about itself, just in case I haven't told you enough:

"Each product is designed to help the individual child gain a more enlightened and educated view of the world, and inspire and encourage them to form cross-cultural friendships. By having a broader understanding, children can increase self-identity, self-esteem and their overall social competence.''

It is a Small World, afterall, isn't it?

We're buying the series, for sure, and I've added Global Wonders to our Amazon store.

And here's a coupon for $2 off.

Virtual travel day: Spain and a contest

It is raining here. Not complaining. It is lovely and we need it.

Here's another lovely and welcome thing as the days in Tennessee get cooler and shorter. A virtual travel day over at Delicious Baby. Debbie took her family to Barcelona last year, as did we, and writes about it in this post. After reading it, I want to travel with Debbie and her family.

Be sure to click on this interesting link too. Oh those kooky Spaniards.

Be back later with a couple of reviews...Need more coffee at the moment.

And wait, wait...there is more.

There's a cool contest going on over at Riding with No Hands (a great blog name!). She's giving away a DVD that my kid would actually eat asparagus for: Prima Princessa Presents Swan Lake. If you have a little one in love with tutus, enter to win...

Parenting.com: The chancletaso that never was...

My girl, nearly perfect.

Today's post at Parenting.com...

What fear looks like...

Warning, rant ahead...

The city of Nashville will spend $350,000 to $500,000 to hold a special election in January. The issue: Making sure that Nashville business is done in English only.

Thing is, English already is the official language of Nashville. And so, the protectionist message is, in my opinion, just a P.S. to newcomers that well, we don't like you so much. 

And, if you're one of the many European tourists who come here for country music and barbeque, and you need our police or rescue to help you, well, you'd better speak English, gosh darn it. But, maybe OK, we'll make an exception because you're a different kind of foreigner.

Here is the local paper's Sunday editorial, and a con position by a well-respected local attorney, the pro position by the kooky and crafty councilman who has pushed this. He wants to make sure that Metro meetings are held in English "in the future.'' What American city holds public governmental meetings in a foreign language? (Miami? If so, tell me...)

Seriously, besides my grandma and older immigrants, few are the newly arrived I have met in Tennessee who decided not to learn to speak English. They are learning English. They are thriving, opening businesses and keeping this booming town booming. And what is more, their kids -- raised as Americans -- speak fabulous English. And Spanish.

I have one piece of advice for Crafton: You'd better learn how to say chimichanga correctly. Or you never know what will end up in your Numero 8 special, hombre.

Parenting.com: New York City, baby

It has been quiet around here, I know.

Tell you why: We're in the Garden State visiting la familia, eating gelato and barely surviving Jersey drivers.

All about our NYC excursion over at Parenting.com.

Be back at a more full speed over here in a few days.

Biggest Sale Ever of our Spanish t-shirts

There is no denying the children who wear Los Pollitos Dicen t-shirts are the cutest, funniest, most colorful little people on the planeta.

Evidence: Just look at this girl! (And of course, her handsome brothers, who have their own collection of Pollitos.)

So, to help you dress your babies in cool Spanish t-shirts, and to celebrate the last days of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are announcing that all tee shirts in the classic wooden gift box are on sale for $15.99. That's an $8 reduction from the regular price and the biggest price drop we've ever offered. 

The sale runs through Oct. 15 or while supplies last. No rain checks.

Watch this space too for an announcement about much-requested additions to our line.

Have a good weekend everybody.

Parenting.com: The Little Voter

How it went during our afternoon standing in the Center of the Universe -- aka outside the Presidential Debate Hall at Belmont University in Nashville.

I write about it at Parenting.com.

Nashville, and us, in the Center of It All: Presidential Debate tonight

The city where country music stars roam, where macaroni and cheese is a vegetable and where only tourists wear cowboy hats is in the spotlight today. If you watch the presidential debate previews tonight look for images of my adopted hometown -- some will be right on, some will be hokey -- and look for Maria and me in the crowd outside. 

I'm taking her to watch the parade of passionates and crazies waving signs and cheering their candidates. I want her to part of history and to learn early that her vote and her involvement in her community matters. (It is the first time in my adult life I will be at a political event without  a reporter's notebook. I may have a seizure from the excess freedom of expression...)

And, if you want to know more about Nashville -- and I know you do -- click here.

Vote! 

Super Spanish Children's T-Shirt Sale

An insider view of our shipping room, which will be hopping at super speed when we announce our Gigantic, Grande, Oh-my-Goodness, Golly Gee Sale this week.

Our Los Pollitos Dicen newsletter subscribers will be the first to know when the t-shirt and onesie sale kicks off, giving them first choice, so sign up here. 

Plus, we've got some other wonderful news and designs coming out soon and we will once again announce in the newsletter first.

Teaching the viejos to speak a little ingles

Dinner time. It's Maria, my husband, me and my parents. We all hold hands.

"Gracias, Dios por todas las cosas ...'' I begin to say as Maria interrupts me.

"No, in English. They need to learn English,'' she says, nodding toward her abuelos.

On Parenting.com: Zen and the Art of Quiet Time

or, just a plain old brag.

Visit aqui.

My Big, Fat Cuban Family Blog turns Dos. A celebrar!

My Absolute Favorite Big, Fat Cuban Family Blogger and Amiga del Alma Marta is celebrating her second blogging anniversary with mucho giveaways: Coffee mugs, aprons, and most fabulously, her wonderful Cuban cookbook.

Go see Marta. Leave a comment. 

Then, go back and read Marta often. 

She, and her entire adorable family, will delight you.

Te lo prometo.