This book is a favorite in my elementary Spanish classes. The story and illustrations are super engaging and the low word count, high frequency vocabulary and many repetitions are perfect for promoting acquisition. All the additional resources and teaching ideas are very thoughtful and well designed and make incorporating this great story into my classes a breeze!

As a reading teacher and, more importantly, as a grandmother, I have found this charming and unique book to be perfect to share with little children.

This is such a cute little book. The story is perfect for little ones and the illustrations are very engaging.

### Reader Feedback for "Nico el Nēque"

"I recently used **Nico el Nēque** for my elementary Spanish class, and it's fantastic! The interactive content and colorful illustrations really engaged my students. The book effectively covers essential vocabulary and phrases, making learning fun and accessible. The included lesson plans and activities were incredibly helpful, saving me time and enhancing the overall teaching experience. Plus, the cultural insights added an enriching layer to our lessons. It's a wonderful resource for introducing young learners to Spanish. Highly recommended!"

Such a sweet book! The illustrations are adorable and the story is kind hearted and entertaining.

This book has beautiful illustrations and an engaging story! Students will love learning more about ñeques in Spanish that is easy to follow. I highly recommend this book!

I was charmed by the writing and cute illustrations. An excellent book for young learners of Spanish.

As a background, I teach K-8 students once a week for 45 minutes. Our progress is slow and super 7 verbs are something I start early with stories and games then start to dig into deeper around 4/5th grade. The one thing that has been elusive for me is a book long enough for an interesting plot to develop but short and easy enough that I can teach (and it doesn't take a year!) and students feel empowered by reading it. Well, this story is fantastic for this -in fact, it is my favorite one (and I have read a lot). I especially like: 1. the introduction includes walk, jump, run vocab - we use a lot of action in class and we already know these words plus they are fun to reenact in the story 2. lots of super 7 (see above) 3. I like how the verbs are repeated in the story e.g. seed dropping from his hands; dropping on his head. 4. the number sequence - again I can see students having fun playing out the story with vocab they feel confident about.

My three year old loves this book! It helped both his and my Spanish vocabulary. I bought copies for all of my friends who are hoping to teach their children Spanish.

My third grade students love Nico el ñeque! They enjoy learning about a new animal, the engaging text and illustrations.

I just recently bought this book, and it is a very good, refreshing, and yet necessary read. Bryan’s premise is that if we wish to see an increase in our world language classes, then we as teachers need to make some serious changes. Our current model of motivating students to take our classes by telling them that language will lead to future benefits is faulty. As Brian rightly states, the truth is that this actually sends the message of "Suffer now, and you might benefit later." In other words, we need to “give students what they want” so that they will actually want to continue on in our classes.

Yet, “giving students what they want” does not mean a watering down of expectations and standards, but it does require a change in how we conduct our classes and curriculum. Contrary to what we may think, students actually have very high standards. Bryan argues that students truly desire a healthy classroom culture, a community to which they can contribute, a place to communicate in the target language, and effective, engaging classroom activities. For each of these, he details and lists numerous ways in which we can begin to effect the changes needed to “give students what they want.”

Whether you are new to teaching or a veteran, I highly recommend this book!

"Amigos Lejanos, Secretos Cercanos" is a beautifully written Spanish novel weaving together the heartfelt stories of Alexis and Sofía, two pen pals navigating their own personal mysteries. One friend has a deeply personal secret about their identity that they are yet to share with anyone except their therapist. Meanwhile, their pen pal uncovers a life-altering secret about her family's past that challenges her beliefs and understanding of who she is. Through letters and virtual communication, Alexis and Sofía support each other in their quests for self-discovery and truth, making this novel a touching exploration of identity, friendship, and the power of sharing our most intimate stories with those we trust. Ideal for Spanish learners, this book offers not only engaging storytelling but also valuable lessons on empathy and courage.

"Guaitipán: La Guerrera Indígena que Desafió la Conquista Española" is a captivating novel that shares the remarkable story of Guaitipán, a fearless warrior leader who, alongside her people, spearheaded one of the most enduring resistances against the Spanish conquest. In Spanish novel, author Adriana Ramirez unveils the history of Guaitipán, whose legacy was obscured by the Spanish conquerors in their efforts to suppress Indigenous pride and resistance.

The novel dives into the profound impact of her courageous actions on Indigenous communities. Through vivid storytelling and Ramirez skillfully reconstructs the struggles and triumphs of Guaitipán and her people, highlighting their determination to defend their lands, culture, and identity against overwhelming odds.

What makes "Guaitipán" particularly compelling is its exploration of the broader implications of resistance. By reclaiming her story from historical erasure, the book serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples throughout history. It challenges readers to confront the complexities of colonialism and the legacy of Indigenous resistance, offering a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring such our past and reaffirming the significance of Indigenous pride and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

"Guaitipán: La Guerrera Indígena que Desafió la Conquista Española" is a must-read for anyone interested in history, social justice, and the celebration of Indigenous cultures. It is a testament to the power of storytelling in reclaiming lost narratives and amplifying voices that have long been silenced and is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf!

This reader takes all the intrigue of Day of the Dead and relates it through a compelling story of loss and acceptance. Students will love taking part in Sofia's first Day of the Dead celebration.

This reader accomplishes so much plot with so little vocabulary. With talking pets and a mystery to solve, level one students will love reading Chuchotenango!