Shake it, Morena! And other folk tales from Puerto Rico
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

Summary

A lively author-illustrator team treats young readers to the songs, riddles, stories, and games of their own Puerto Rican childhood. The playful, colorful watercolor illustrations reflect the diversity of the Puerto Rican people and the charm of their many traditions. An excellent choice for classroom or home! Ages 4-up.

Carmen writes:
Shake it Morena is a collection of games I played, songs I sang, stories and riddles I heard growing up in Puerto Rico. The idea of publishing it came from many librarians and many teachers who said there was a need for this bilingual material. My thanks to them.

A secret: The Juan Bobo story in the book is really a Pepito story. But in Latin America, you don't tell Pepito stories to children. Pepito is too much, to say the least. So, I gave this "clean" tale to Juan Bobo who sometimes acts like Pepito. That gave me a chance to portray the mountain jibaro culture of Puerto Rico.

It has been a thrill to share this material with educators and students, but more so with parents. I use the book in an interactive presentation in which the parents share with the audience their own childhood games, songs, stories, riddles. It's fun!

Praise

"People of all shades and ages eat, dance, sing, and cavort. A fine multicultural title for classrooms ...[and] settings where children sing, play, and have fun." — Booklist

About the Author

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is the author of six books for children and young adults. Her books include a biography in poems and one in prose, an anthology of Puerto Rican folk-tales and a second book of four illustrated folk-tales, and a novel. If you enjoy Shake it Morena, look for Carmen's other books, including: CESAR: Yes, We Can! ¡Sí, Se Puede!, winner of Pura Belpré Honors; FRIDA: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life!; and DIEGO: Bigger Than Life.