Song of the Swallows

Author and Ilustrator: Leo Politi

Awards: Caldecott

Grade Level: K-3rd

Summary:

A young boy, Juan, is friends with an older man, Julian, who tells Juan all about the Swallows and how they come every year on Saint Joseph's day. Juan decides to plant a garden for the swallows to live in when they come to visit. He gets so excited to see them and sings the Swallow song with all of the other children. Even though he gets sad when the Swallows have to leaver, he can still hear his friend Julian singing the swallow song in the distance.

Evaluation: 

I think this is a great book to use in order to discuss traditions and customs with students. I would also use this book in a science lesson and ask students what they know about animals (especially birds) migrating and why they might be doing so. I also liked that this book had certain words/phrases in Spanish because it felt more authentic when the being read.