September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. As I’ve said before, I’m very much a person who makes sure that I cover different cultural groups all year and not just in ‘the’ month that is set aside. But I still think it’s important to cover them in that month. So here are five books about dance, and some links to go with them that are great for Hispanic Heritage month or any other time of year!
Full disclosure: Some affiliate links. I get a small kickback and it doesn’t change your price. No pressure!
Danza! : Amalia Hernández and el Ballet Folklórico de Mexico
Author, Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
ISBN: 978-1419725326
Buy the book
YouTube Link:
Ballet Folklórico de Amalia Hernández en el Festival Internacional Cervantino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1136iMm1xM
This book is about Amalia Hernández and how she founded el Ballet Folklórico de Mexico, one of the most successful and famous dance companies in the world.
José!: Born to Dance: The Story of José Limón
Author: Susanna Reich
Illustrator: Raul Colon
ISBN: 978-0689865763
Buy the book
YouTube Link: Missa Brevis – José Limón https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7del1E7qEo
This issue the story of José Limón, his life growing up, and how he found dance. There are several onomatopoeia and repeated word places that students could add to as well in this book!
Mambo Mucho Mambo! : The Dance that Crossed Color Lines
Author: Dean Robbins
Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
ISBN: 978-1536206081
Buy the book
YouTube: Mambo – Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba for the Sabado de Rumba program dancing the mambo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXpnuyqloKU
This is a book about how the Palladium broke the segregation norms, hired Machito and His Afro-Cubans to play Latin Jazz, and people of all races came to dance.
Under the Mambo Moon
Author: Julia Durango
Illustrator: Fabricio VandenBroeck
ISBN: 978-1570917233
Buy the book
YouTube: Students from a dance school performing a mambo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeIeLLI32p0
This is a cool book with stories within the story. Marisol helps Papi at his music store where people who come in each have a story, a memory, and a fun, colorful way to share
A Girl Named Rosita : The Story of Legendary Puerto Rican Performer Rita Moreno
Author: Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 978-0062877703
Buy the book
YouTube Link: America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhSKk-cvblc
This is about Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano, her immigration to the continental US from Puerto Rico, learning to dance, and finding a place for her on the silver screen.
I hope this has given you some ideas!
