Ninez: Spanish Songs, Games and Stories of Childhood

By Virginia Nylander Ebinger

Book Overview

More than forty verses, games and stories of Spanish childhood folklore have been collected by the author from research based largely on archival materials gathered by WPA writers in the 1930s and in current interviews. A number of the pieces can be traced directly to Spain and were brought to America by early explorers and settlers. They serve as a link between the old and new worlds-a way to retain cultural and historical memory and transmit it to succeeding generations. Many interesting variations have occurred over the centuries, always the way with true folklore, as children have played the games and the stories have been told and retold. Literal translations, rules for playing the games and music for some of them are included. "Books of the Southwest" called this book "...a delightful little manual for persons who want to keep a culture alive with joyous song and gentle mystery." * * * * The author, a native of New Mexico, was raised by homesteader grandparents who came to the territory soon after 1900. She early developed an appreciation for the history and folklore of the American Southwest and her collection of legends and lore began with the "cowboy/frontiersman" culture of Quay County where she grew up. She is also the author of "Aguinaldos, Christmas Customs, Music and Foods of the Spanish-speaking Countries of the Americas" from Sunstone Press.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865341753
• ISBN13: 9780865341753
• Release Date: April 2016
• Publisher: Sunstone Press
• Length: 82 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7

Customer Reviews

Great Resource for Spanish

This book is a summary of folklore in relation to children. Some knowledge of Spanish is very helpful as you'd need to know how to pronounce the words to play the games. Some of these games seem rather old-fashioned and I don't think many modern children would like them. Consider those a history and folklore lesson. There is some background given on some of the traditions. This book seems to be extracted or have used the same research as Mexican American Folklore published by August House. This is not a book with quick and easy directions as it is more of a reading book. If you want to teach your children songs and games in Spanish, I'd choose another one. If you're a Spanish student or a native speaker who wants to know about the Latin culture, then this might be a good choice.