I love how Little Golden Books has changed from the children’s books we read when we was little to include celebrities and TV Shows because it leads to unexpected Gifts for my family. Including Selena: A Little Golden Book Biography a book I would like to get Charlie for Christmas but I also want a copy for myself because she brought mine and my son’s love of music together and has taught us so much.
I don’t know about your family but for my family some of the best memories begin with a movie, a song, or a little book that opens the door to something new. In our house, Selena became one of those special discoveries not only for myself but Charlie and Suzzane and even David through the movie of her life and her music.
I first heard that Selena had passed away on March 31, 1995. I was standing outside a beauty salon on Northside Drive in Fort Worth, Texas with my mother. That was the first time I had heard of her and now she is a huge part of my families lives. Mu mom and I were getting ready to have our hair done when I noticed ribbons on a car. I asked what they were for, and someone told me Selena had died.
I remember coming home and looking her up. Then time moved on and even though I would watch her movie at times I didn’t really listen to her music. Years later, I was watching the movie Selena, and Charlie came in and asked me what I was doing.
I told Charlie I was watching Selena and since he hadn’t heard of me he sat down with me to watch the movie. That movie introduced us to her music, and before long, Charlie had become a huge Selena fan. We both discovered Tejano music, began listening to other Tejano singers, and learned more about the woman so many people lovingly call the Queen of Tejano Music.
That’s why I was excited to find out Little Golden Books had published a book about Selena: A Little Golden Book Biography. The book is written by Maria Correa and illustrated by Paula Zamudio. Selena: A Little Golden Book Biography introduces young readers to Selena Quintanilla, the Grammy Award-winning Mexican-American singer whose music and legacy continue to inspire fans.
Little Golden Book biographies are a wonderful way to introduce children to real people who made a difference. They give families an opportunity to read together, ask questions, and discover something new. They can be used in #Homeschooling and there perfect for our 10 Minute Reading Challenge.
The illustrations in this book are amazing! I enjoyed looking through the artwork and learning more about Selena. It’s a lovely way to bring her story to a new generation of readers while giving longtime fans another reason to celebrate her life and legacy. I hope you take the time to share this amazing book with your families.
I wanted to remind you Selena’s story is about more than music. She was a performer, a fashion inspiration, a businesswoman, and someone who loved her family. She built a career through hard work and determination, and her influence continues long after her passing.
One of the things I appreciate about Selena is that her story gave Charlie and me something new to enjoy together. We both love her music, but we also admire her personality, her fashion, her relationship with her family, and the business she built. Charlie and I have talked about her life, her love story, and how much she accomplished at such a young age.
I wish we could have seen her perform live. One of the places Charlie and I would love to visit someday is the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas. It’s on our bucket list, and I hope one day we can make that trip together before he is grown and out of the House.
Selena’s legacy is still very much alive. Her music continues to bring people together, and her story gives families plenty to talk about. This Little Golden Book can be a starting point for a fun music appreciation lesson but it can teach us so much more because she was also a business women and owned a line of clothing.
After reading together, families can:
- Listen to a few Selena songs and talk about the music.
- Learn what Tejano music is and explore the instruments and musical influences.
- Look at photographs of Selena’s performances and discuss her fashion.
- Find Corpus Christi and Lake Jackson on a Texas map.
- Talk about biographies and how someone’s hard work can leave a lasting legacy.
- Watch the movie Selena
You don’t have to turn every book into a big school assignment. Sometimes reading a little, listening to music, and having a good conversation is a wonderful lesson all by itself. Which is what I liked the most about Homeschooling Charlie and Suzzane and being able to think outside the box.
I’ve already decided that Santa needs to bring Charlie his own copy of Selena: A Little Golden Book Biography for Christmas. But I also want to ask Santa to bring a copy for me as well because it will fit perfectly into my music collection of books I’ve collected over the years and this is why you will find the book inside our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List.
And that got me thinking about how many different ways we can celebrate the people we love through books and gifts. A Selena T-shirt, a pair of Selena socks, a movie night, or another fun surprise could make a wonderful present for someone who loves her music. In fact, I think we may have the makings of a separate Christmas gift guide for Selena fans!
Whether your family already knows and loves Selena or you are just beginning to introduce her music to your children, this biography is a sweet place to start. Grandparents, parents, children, homeschool families, and longtime Selena fans can all find something to enjoy in sharing her story.
For Charlie and me, Selena is more than a singer we listen to. Her music became one of those unexpected connections that brought us together and gave us something new to enjoy as a family. And now, thanks to a Little Golden Book, we have another reason to turn a few pages, play some music, and make a few more memories.
Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the purchases you make.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed,
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
