Magic Windows: Ventanas Magicas by Carmen Lomas Garza

Magic Windows is a book that is written in both English and Spanish.  The book talks about different Mexican traditions and its culture.  Stories include the eagle with the rattlesnake; which is depicted on the Mexican national flag.  The story of its Aztec origin is explained. Stories about different animals such as the deer, horned toad, fish, humming birds and the turkey are told to explain their importance in the Mexican culture. In this book, we also learn about the importance of making paper flowers and celebrating the Day of the Dead.  The illustrations for this book are depicted as a part of a papel picado; which its story of how it is made is also explained.  The colors in the illustrations are very bold using deep purples, blues, red and yellow.  Besides black, mainly one other color is used in each page that seems to complement the story that is being told.  This is a great book for students to learn a little bit about the Mexican culture and its traditions

Teachers can find lessons to incorporate this book at https://www.leeandlow.com/uploads/loaded_document/60/Magic_Windows_BG.pdf

Readers also enjoyed  Vejigantes Masquerade by Lulu Delacre

Additional books written by Carmen Lomas Garza include In my Family/En mi Familia and Family Pictures/Caudros de familia

Garza, C. L., Rohmer, H., & Schecter, D. (1999). Magic windows. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.