I love books that use song lyrics to create the story. This particular book, Sing Don’t Cry, is a great pair with a well known Mexican song as well as a story to remind students to look for joy even when things are hard.
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The Book
This semi-autobiographical book is about the author’s grandfather, Apolinar Navarrete Diaz, a successful mariachi musician. He comes from Mexico every year to spend time with his family, bringing his guitar and sings with his grandchildren. He talks about how some things can be lost but that opens the door for new things and using music to heal yourself.
Author, Illustrator: Angela Dominguez
ISBN: 978-1627798396
Buy the book on Amazon
Music
The text of this book is inspired by the refrain of the popular Mexican song “Cielito Lindo”. While I couldn’t tell you the title before coming across this book a few years ago, I knew the song as soon as I heard it and knew the refrain!
Ay, ay, ay ay,
Canta y no llores.
porque cantando se alegran,
cielito lindo, los corazones.
Ay, ay, ay ay,
Sing and don’t cry
because singing gladdens
the heart, sweet lovely one.
Pair this with this version of Cielito Lindo performed by Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitán.
Other Things
Culture:
This book is a great pair with an introduction to Mariachi music. It features a main character who is differently abled. While it is not really depicted in the drawings, the grandfather lost his leg in a bus accident as a child.
Social Emotional Learning:
The message of trying to find joy even when things are hard is good for kids to hear. The message does not say to ignore pain but singing gladdens the heart. It also gives the message that closed doors can also mean others are open.
I hope this gives you some ideas on using Sing, Don’t Cry in the music classroom!
