Thursday, January 12, 2023

LuzdelMes Celebrates Literacy Week, Florida!

The 15th annual statewide Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is scheduled for the week of January 23-27, 2023. This event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.

This year theme is “Take a Deep Dive Into Literacy – Splash Into New Worlds!” to encourage all school providers to participate in reading books to deepen children’s knowledge and instill a love of reading 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR LITERACY WEEK, FLORIDA!

Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Oceans by Janet Balletta (Goodreads Author), Alyssa Figueroa (Illustrator), Alexander C. Appello (Illustrator) 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38089580-mermaids-on-a-mission-to-save-the-oceans

Great tool for teachers and good read for children  #MermaidsonaMissiontoSavetheOcean

Mermaids on a Mission, as the title implies, is a book about seven mermaids who protect the ocean from mankind’s pollution. Each of the mermaids have a special power that allows them to save the valuable oceans and special creatures and plant life. The conversation between the mermaids describes the culture and characteristics of each of them. I love Fina from South America and her mission to protect injured animals in Aqua Pura.
Teachers have an excellent tool to teach children how important the oceans are by following the example and action the mermaids did to keep the waters clean from pollutants.


The illustrators, Alyssa Figueroa and Alexander C. Appello, created brilliant illustrations that make the story enjoyable to read to young children.
The author Balletta includes a helpful Teacher's Guide which introduces vocabulary, discussion questions on a deep and well research topic. Congratulations Mrs. Balletta!
Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Oceans is most highly recommended.

The Golden Seahorse: El caballito de mar dorado by Camelia Kuhn, Sara Cruz  (Illustrator) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75719850-the-golden-seahorse

The Golden Seahorse is a mythical character that helps a little girl faces her fears to swim. A girl named Camila was afraid of the ocean because she didn’t know how to swim, but her mother told her not to be afraid because in the ocean there was a golden seahorse that would rescue her.

It is a bilingual book (English-Spanish) with coloring pages with vivid images to illustrate this sweet children's book tale. I recommend this book for preschoolers to first grade students.

The Author, Camelia Kuhn is a kindergarten teacher based in Florida.   He was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in Puerto Rico. From an early age, she found a love for reading through her loving mother who told her children's stories that inspired her to write this tale.  


Good read for children to face fears #TheGoldenSeahorse

El caballito de mar dorado es un personaje mítico que ayuda a una niña a enfrentar sus miedos para nadar. Una niña llamada Camila tenía miedo al océano porque no sabía nadar, pero su mamá le dijo que no tuviera miedo porque en el océano había un caballito de mar dorado que la rescataría.

Es un libro bilingüe (inglés-español) con páginas para colorear con imágenes vívidas para ilustrar este dulce cuento infantil. Definitivamente recomiendo este libro para niños en edad preescolar a estudiantes de primer grado.

La autora, Camelia Kuhn, es maestra de kínder y está radicada en la Florida.   Nació en Hartford, Connecticut y creció en Puerto Rico. Desde temprana edad, encontró el amor por la lectura a través de su amorosa madre quien le contaba historias infantiles que la inspiraron a escribir este cuento.

The Purple Shell: La concha de mar púrpura by

Maritza Martínez Mejia, Valerie Mojica (Illustrator) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5257416526

The Purple Shell invites us to become ecologically aware to protect the beaches. This bilingual tale (English & Spanish) is based on a true story. Contains coloring pages, facts, and questions to take care of our planet, our common home.

On her first trip to the sea, a lovely girl realized how much garbage people leave in the sand and decided to clean up the beach with her mother. After collecting sodas and wraps, they found a purple shell, which they received with joy as a reward for such a laudable task.

The author and the project "LuzDelMes Ecotales" invite you to be aware of how to take care of the planet. This book contains facts and questions to take care for our planet, our common home.

Ecological Awareness for children #ThePurpleShell #LuzDelMes 

La concha de mar púrpura nos invita a tomar consciencia ecológica para proteger las playas. Este cuento bilingüe (inglés & español) se basa en una historia real. Contiene páginas para colorear, datos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.

En su primer viaje al mar, una niña encantadora se dio cuenta de la cantidad de basura que la gente deja en la arena y decidió limpiar con su madre la playa. Después de recoger sodas y envolturas, encontraron una concha purpura, la que recibieron con alegría como premio de tan loable tarea.

El autor y el proyecto "Cuentos Ecológicos LuzDelMes" invitan a tener conciencia de cómo cuidar el planeta. Este libro contiene hechos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 
ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com
Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016 

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The Three Kings Feast - La fiesta de los Tres Reyes Magos

 

Three Kings Day is celebrated after The Twelve Days of Christmas. Also known as Día de Los Reyes Magos or Epiphany. Observed on January 6th, but different churches recognize it on diverse dates. It evokes the biblical adoration of the Magi to the infant Jesus after his birth. 
Three Kings Day is celebrated after the Twelve Days of Christmas on January 6th. 
Read Mathew 2: 1-23

Some facts about Three Kings Day


*  The kings' names were Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. ~Read Matthew 2~
*  They gave Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.
*  The kings brought their gifts in vessels called ciboria.
*  In Puerto Rico, Argentina, and other places, children leave hay for the camels.
*   In Spain, children leave letters to the kings.
*   In Mexico and some Hispanic communities often serve Rosca de Reyes. 
*   In diverse places the kids leave their boots for the Kings to leave presents.
Three King Cake or Rosca de Reyes

More Recipes and facts: https://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2020/01/recetas-luzdelmes-rosca-de-reyes-three.html
Recipe: http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2009/01/gift-of-magi-bread.html

Three King Cake is a circular fruitcake inside which a small hidden statue of a baby Jesus. The person, who finds the child Jesus, must make a feast day of La Candelaria, which is on February 2nd.  That day is invited the same group that was at Three Kings party and the guess brings tamales or Mexican pastries. 

Kids Activities for Three Kings Day

1. Coloring Three Kings Cards: Visit the link to print the design
2. Cut and Paste Peace Card: Use old Christmas Cards
3. FREE Reading Activities from Lesson for Living
Happy Three Kings Day!
El día de los Reyes Magos se celebra después de los doce días de Navidad. También conocido como Día de los Reyes Magos o Epifanía. Observado el 6 de enero, pero diferentes iglesias lo reconocen en fechas diversas. Evoca la adoración bíblica de los magos al niño Jesús después de su nacimiento. 

LEER MATEO 2: Día de los Reyes Magos.
Curiosidades: En algunos países como, Puerto Rico, Argentina, los niños acostumbran dejar pajas de heno y agua para los camellos de los Reyes Magos, y sus boticas o zapatos para que los Reyes los llenen de regalos.
Actividad infantil
Create your own Three Kings Crown.

Hacer Corona de Reyes: Trazar, Cortar, Abrir
Visita enlace para detalles
Y para los que dejan sus botitas esperando un regalo de los Reyes Magos... 
¿Qué tal un libro? Visita: www.luzdelmes.com
 
Libros Recomendados LuzDelMes

Books available on Amazon. Visit:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32713454-las-estrellas-de-los-reyes-magos
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30413069-la-flor-del-dia-de-los-tres-reyes-magos
¡Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos!
Poemas y Reflexiones: www.luzdelmes.com

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 
ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com
Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016 

Sunday, January 1, 2023

 

Reflections by Maritza Martínez Mejía

January is usually a month to make resolutions. It is gratifying to meet our goals, but do we follow the resolutions throughout the year? Probably not! However, it is important to start the year with a purpose in mind and grateful heart. Set up small goals base on the good things and experiences learned from the previous year. Step by step, you can reach far.     
  

With a new beginning, I reflect that 
excuses limit us, desires drive us, and dreams are possible. Do not give up! Star the New Year with a grateful heart. ❤️

Happy and Blessed New Year! 

May the Bethlehem Star guide your path!
#LuzDelMes #2023


Enero es un mes usualmente para hacer resoluciones. Es gratificante cumplir nuestras metas, pero ¿seguimos las resoluciones durante todo el año? ¡Probablemente no! Sin embargo, es importante empezar el año con un propósito en mente y corazón agradecido. Planea metas cortas basadas en las cosas positivas y el aprendizaje del año anterior. Paso a paso, se puede llegar lejos. 

El  nuevo amanecer 2023, me recuerda que las excusas nos limitan, los deseos nos impulsan, y los sueños son posibles. ¡No te des por vencido! Empieza el año nuevo con corazón agradecido. 💖
¡Feliz y Bendecido Año Nuevo!

#reflexion #LuzDelMes #2023 
¡Que la Estrella de Belém guie tus pasos!
Poemas y Reflexiones: www.luzdelmes.com

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 
ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com
Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016 

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Receta LuzDelMes: Arroz con leche ~ Rice pudding


CELEBREMOS LAS TRADICIONES
La Nochebuena es un momento para celebrar las tradiciones y disfrutar con la familia y los amigos. Mi postre favorito durante  éste tiempo decembrino es el arroz con leche. Me transporta  a mi infancia, me llena de gozo y añoranza. Ahora, disfruto prepararlo con mi hija. Es un bonito momento para recordar a mi mamita, su abuelita. 
¡Aquí está la receta de mi madre para ti!

ARROZ CON LECHE INGREDIENTES:

1 tazas de arroz crudo
      6 tazas de leche
      1/2 taza de azúcar       
      1 lata pequeña de leche condensada
      1/2 cucharadita de esencia de vainilla       
3 astillas de canela y  canela en polvo al gusto
      Uvas pasas (opcional) 

Preparación: 
Poner a hervir la leche con las astillas de canela y azúcar. Cuando hierba, agregar el arroz y bajar el fuego al mínimo. Revolver constantemente y cocinar hasta que el arroz haya absorbido la leche. Aparte, mezclar la leche condensada con la esencia de vainilla y verter esta mezcla en la olla del arroz. dejar enfriar y al momento de servir agregar canela en polvo y/o uvas pasas.

 ¿Nos gustaría saber cuál es su tradición? ...Mi preferida es Arroz de leche.

FOR THE OCTAVE CHRISTMAS
For the ladies who asked me for the recipe in English. Here it is my mother's rice pudding recipe.
Now, my daughter's favorite dessert. Enjoy it ;)

Rice Pudding Recipe
Christmas Eve is a time to celebrate traditions and enjoy it with family and friends. My favorite dessert during this time is the Rice pudding. Here is my mother's recipe for you! 
Ingredients:
• 1cups of white rice
• 6 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 small can of condense milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla extract 
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• Cinnamon powder —to taste

• Raisins (optional) 



Preparation:

Put to boil the milk with the cinnamon sticks and sugar. When is boiling, add the rice and lower the heat to a minimum. Stir constantly and cook until the rice has absorbed the milk. Mix the condensed milk with the vanilla extract, and pour this mixture into the rice. Allow to cool and serve to add cinnamon powder and/or raisins.

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

Member: ANLMI, FWA, SFWA, Delegada ANLMI

Awards: Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Author’s Talk Book Show 2017- American Eagle2020 -Social Media: @luzdelmes