Simple vocabulary with colorful and stylish references to appeal to a multicultural and global mindset.
The importance of developing bi-literacy skills to underscore and maintain bilingual speaking skills cannot be overstated. Our new children’s book series is written from the perspective of an educator in the classroom and a bilingual mom of three in a first person voice, so that readers can adopt sentences and phrases into their daily speech pattern with ease. Simple, full sentences that can be read by native Spanish speakers or beginner second language learners, this series fills the gap currently missing in the market for bilingual books that tend to feature one word or offer translated fables that are too complex for beginner readers. Each book is 32 pages and designed to be read aloud over and over again with interactive questions at the end.
Meet the Family
The picture book series is aimed at modern multicultural families who navigate diverse backgrounds and seek connections beyond their own heritage and mother tongue. These people are sophisticated! Intended for young bilinguals or students in early second language acquisition with transferrable literacy skills, our bright and colorful illustrations create the comprehensible input to bridge translations of ‘foreign’ words (following Krashen’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition). Though still in the process, please meet the family below, though the biggest character is their beloved dog pictured above!
¿Cómo te sientes?
This book presents social-emotional vocabulary from the first-person perspective that is imperative for self-expression in Spanish. Inspired by interactions with a beloved family dog, the text is easy for children to adopt and incorporate into their daily speech patterns.
Tengo
The second in our series, addressing idiomatic phrases pertinent to basic expressions that are common to English speakers but do not translate directly. These are requisite for any child or adult (hehe) stating their age, hunger, or body temperature - as in, “I am hot!”
Es Loco
This is our first beginning reader book for emergent bi-literates that adds a silly twist to the morning chores of a young student. The high-frequency vocabulary words are illustrated with charm to facilitate comprehensible input that is simple yet accessible for elementary students.
“Experience wonderful bilingual teaching tools for the classroom or language learner at home. ”
Meet the Author: Amy Rush Conroy
Amy Rush Conroy is an anthropologist, educator, wife, and inherently flawed mother of three bilingual kids in Los Angeles, California. She founded Habla Blah Blah in 2006 to engage young children with second language learning through song and experiences. Habla Blah Blah was named “Best Children’s Classes'' by L.A. Parent Magazine in 2009, and later awarded “Best Children’s Song” and “Best Children’s Songwriter” by the Indie Music Channel in 2013 and 2017. She is a pioneer in the Global Parenting movement and was nominated as a bilingual thought leader by HundreED in 2020. Amy is an Advisory Committee leader of the Language Connects Foundation, a member of ACTFL, and CABE.
Amy seeks to inspire second language learning as a pathway to greater understanding and inclusivity of other peoples and cultures. She has advocated and implemented Spanish curriculum in numerous California elementary schools. Amy currently teaches Spanish at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Los Angeles, California, and curates bespoke Family Travel Tours to contextualize language learning within a greater cultural framework for other families.
Meet the Illustrator: Kasey Blaustein Greener
As a native Angeleno, Kasey Blaustein Greener has been creating, designing, and painting for herself, friends and family for over a decade. Kasey’s greatest inspiration comes from her grandmother Adela’s passion for creating personalized gifts, just for the simple joy of giving and her grandpa Roy’s meticulous dedication to stellar craftsmanship. Prior to founding Kasey Jones, Ink., she worked at a marketing agency focused on branding, entertainment marketing and events in Los Angeles, CA.
This all led her to form Kasey Jones, Ink. (KJI), a one-stop creative studio. Kasey and team create art-powered activations and interactive experiences along with delivering captivating designs and statement murals. Through KJI’s curated gifting services, they creatively bridge the connection between influencers, media, clients and your company. Kasey also loves creative collaborations for special projects (like book illustrations!) and is excited to team up with Amy on this project.
