¡Cuenta cuentos! partnership with library engages Manhattan children in Spanish story time
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
K-State graduate students Camila Robles Cabrera and María Camila Ramírez Quimbayo read to attendees of a recent ¡Cuenta cuentos!/Tell Tales! bilingual story time at the Manhattan Public Library. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's department of modern languages is partnering with Manhattan Public Library to share stories and smiles at its bilingual story time series, ¡Cuenta cuentos!/Tell Tales!, at 11 a.m. every Saturday Oct. 26 to Nov. 23 at the library.
¡Cuenta cuentos!/Tell Tales! is geared toward children ages 3-8 and features award-winning Spanish and bilingual books, craft-making and other activities. Attendees also receive free books, while supplies last.
The project is spearheaded by Claudia Nazario, teaching assistant professor of Spanish in K-State's College of Arts and Sciences, to meet a need she has observed in the community.
"While reaching out to Spanish speakers and Latinos in our community, I learned that this demographic lacks a place, events and services dedicated to Latino cultures and peoples, and that many community members of diverse backgrounds are interested in cultural and linguistic diversity in Manhattan," said Nazario. "In a tiny way, I hope ¡Cuenta cuentos!/Tell Tales! can begin to fill those voids."
Nazario's Spanish students assist with the event and read to attendees. This provides them real-world Spanish experience as well as an opportunity to engage with youth and families and practice leadership.
"Volunteering with ¡Cuenta cuentos! is truly the highlight of my week," said Camila Robles Cabrera, graduate student in the modern languages department's Teaching English as a Foreign Language program. "It's a beautiful way to bridge language and culture, and I love making Spanish accessible and enjoyable for kids and watching them connect with the language and each other. The way everyone comes together to celebrate language and culture is inspiring. It's an incredible community, full of warmth, support and so much fun."
Each story time features a critically acclaimed book carefully selected by Nazario. One was "¡¿Ropa vieja para la cena?!/Old Clothes for Dinner?!," by Nathalie Alonso. The book reveals how language and cultural meaning can be lost in translation, but also how, with a little understanding, heartwarming traditions are shared. The phrase "ropa vieja" directly translates as "old clothes" but is also the name of a variety of Cuban beef stew.
One of the giveaway books was "Alma y cómo obtuvo un nombre/Alma and How She Got Her Name," by Juana Martinez-Neal. The 2019 Caldecott Honor book celebrates family and cultural traditions about naming.
The free books are made possible by K-State's Chapman Center for Rural Studies and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, in partnership with Scholastic Corporation.
The bilingual story time project was supported by an Integrate Engagement Across All We Do Grant from the Chapman Center and K-State's Office of Engagement. The grant supports efforts to build connections with, and positively impact, communities through research, creative activities, teaching and service.
"This event shows how partnerships between K-State and communities are good for everyone," said Mary Kohn, director of the Chapman Center and professor of English. "Students get hands-on learning experience while community members get fun programs and beneficial resources."
This endeavor supports the Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan by providing students with applied learning experiences and being a positive force for Kansans.
