Theme: You can't tell much about a bird by looking at its feathers.
Cuckoo/Cucu by:
ISBN # 015202428X
Bilingual Text ISBN 0-15-200274-X
Languages available: English/Spanish
Available format: paperback, hardcover
Awards: Booklist Editors' Choice
Story Summary: Cuckoo is a beautiful, but lazy bird. The other birds get tired of Cuckoo flying around and singing beautiful songs all day. They complain she never does her share of the work! That is, until one day Cuckoo notices a field fire about to ruin the season's crop they had just worked so hard to plant. Cuckoo saves the seeds by carrying them to safety. This also demonstrates her willingness to put others' needs before her own beauty. The moral of this endearing story: "You can't tell much about a bird by looking at its feathers." This story adapted from a Mayan Indian tale from Mexico. The bilingual text appealsl to children of other cultures. The front cover includes authentic drawings of ornaments with the Spanish/English vocabulary that is presented throughout the book. The book has beautiful illustrations, a good moral ending showing bravery of the main character, and bilingual text that will appeal to young readers.
Relevance for CLD learners: Mexican students may be familiar with the illustrators art form from the Mexican culture. They will also enjoy the bilingual format. High interest art activities can be used to reinforce story and vocabulary.
Age/Interest: grades PK-3
WIDA proficiency level: Developing
WIDA standards: Standard 2: The Language of Language Arts Standard 5: The language of Social Studies