Growing Up Bilingual: Grace Bastidas on Books, Culture, and Raising Connected Readers

So I'm wondering, you know, you clearly love books.

I'm wondering what other tips you might have for families to help their children see that reading is not something they have to do, but something that's joyful and a way to build their language as well as their cultural connections.

I would say use different accents and sounds, really leaning into those beautiful long Spanish words.

I w- I also encourage my kids to ask questions.

So I'll stop when I'm reading and say, "Hey, what do you think's gonna happen next?" Or just anticipating it a little bit makes kids get more engaged.

And I love creating a connection to whatever you're reading.

So the first time I read this book about paletas, which are Mexican ice pops-

Oh, yep, we have one right there

... to my daughters, you, you know what I'm talking about?

Yeah.

Well, I g- I got a box of paletas in all flavors, coconut, mango, and pineapple, and surprised them with them.

So whatever you can make that real-world connection, if you're reading a book about cooking something, maybe make that meal with them.

I think that is always a nice way to bring books to life.

Oh, that was such a perfect example.

I will link that book below, you know, in the show notes for everyone as well.

I have that book.

I've read it to my daughter.

It's a bilingual book.

And it just so happened that we read that book, and the next weekend we were at the playground, and who came walking by but the paleta man, and my daughter was like, instant connection there between the, that we had read.

Yes, the paletero.

[laughs]

Yes.

Good to see him out in the world, and how exciting to have that connection.

Good for you.

Absolutely.