Reclaiming Early Literacies by Learning about Self and Others Through Global Literature and Art

Robbie held In My Family [En Mi Familia] (Garza, 2000) as her kindergarteners gathered around her. “What did we talk about in Mexico yesterday?” Robbie asked. “They have piñatas for their birthdays,” Carly suggested. “They call their grandma ‘Abuela’,” Ryan added. Robbie explained that in this book, author/artist Carmen Lomas Garza told about her Hispanic family and growing up near the Mexican−American border in Texas. “Who’s going to take graffiti notes?” Julie went to the easel and picked up the marker. As Robbie read, children suggested information that Julie wrote. “Write that they cook cactus and eat it!” Ethan said. Later, Christina inserted, “They decorate egg shells for Easter. The eggshells are cascarones. Write that!”