How would you describe your neighborhood?
By Morgan on October 4th, 2010
What’s happening around your neighborhood? There are probably a lot of little things that go on — slices of life that take place in between the big parades and weekend sports events, the block parties and local festivals. Sometimes, it’s those quiet, everyday moments that are the most representative of a community.
That’s what I realize when I look at Welcome to My Neighborhood! A Barrio ABC, a new picture book written by Quiara Alegría Hudes and illustrated by Shino Arihara. This beautiful book walks Ava and her best friend through her neighborhood in alphabetical style — from her abuela to Z Street. It’s poetic and smart with a few twinges of sadness, and it’s gorgeously illustrated with the bright, watercolor-y shades that make up a neighborhood. And it turns out Quiara is also the author of the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights, and she based Welcome to My Neighborhood on her hometown of Philadelphia.
Welcome to My Neighborhood is also available in Spanish, which means it’s a great resource for teachers, students, and families. And guess what? Quiara was kind enough to sign three copies each of the English and Spanish versions before she read to kids in The Scholastic Store last week…and we’re giving them away!
GIVEAWAY: We have three sets of Welcome to My Neighborhood (in English and Spanish) to give away to three lucky readers. To enter, leave a comment with a few words on how you would describe your own neighborhood. Is it rowdy? Peaceful? Idyllic? Let us know and you’re entered to win! View the complete rules here.
UPDATE! Congratulations to the three winners, who were randomly selected: Monica, MeadowsDesigns, and Amber! It was so fun hearing about all the neighborhoods (some of your descriptions read like poetry – beautiful!). The three winners can expect an email with further instructions. Thanks for playing!
And meanwhile…we wanted to take this opportunity to also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15. (Why those dates? Find out here!) There are some class-friendly teacher activities available on Scholastic.com to help explain the significance of the month, and some more excellent family ideas here. And if you’re in need of suggested reading, here’s a fantastic themed booklist. And of course, the Scholastic Top Picks site helps you out with all sorts of themed book suggestions, all year round!
Posted: October 4th, 2010 under Books. Tags: giveaways, teaching resources, top picks.
16 comments
Comments
My neighborhood is peaceful and friendly.
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 7:25 pm
We have 8 houses on our dead end road. Our neighbors are all great and friendly. There are 11 children that all play together while they rides their bikes, scooters and play games.
It's a great neighborhood!
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Our neighborhood is loud and busy filled with city buses, street vendors, kids playing and dogs barking. It is a lot of fun.
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Our neighborhood, like our school, is diverse and full of oportunities. Between events at the Conxeion Comunidad Community Center to festivals and other events, there is always an opportunity to engage in wonderful family activities.
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 7:51 pm
LOVE it! Mi barrio is quiet with just a few homes, but great neighbors. We have lots of great wildlife, including deer and birds. Hope I get a copy so that I can share it with my readers, too!
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Our neighborhood is a ghost town. 95% of families are gone from sun up to sun down. Work, school and daycare. Even the summers are quiet.
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 8:02 pm
My Neighborhood is big, living in the middle of nowhere rural Indiana means I have to drive to find my neighbors
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 8:32 pm
My neighborhood is very family oriented. Everyday you can see children playing, families walking/riding bikes together, and all the children know one another regardless of the schools that they attend.I love my neighborhood 
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Our neighborhood is small and fairly quiet. Every morning and night I like to take the dogs for a walk up and down Main Street. On Saturday mornings it's great because we get to see the people around the Square selling their wares. Ms Ann and I usually run into each other, I with my dogs Hannah and Cupid, and her with her dog, Dusty. She always has a smile on her face as I greet her by name. It's nice when you can walk down the street of your town and wave at friendly people as they drive to work. It's great how a smile can spread!
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 9:31 pm
My neighborhood is calm, peaceful and quiet, except for when my kids are outside playing.
Comment on October 4, 2010 at 10:34 pm
The sleepy neighborhood awakens to the hustle and bustle of cars cranking, sanitation trucks roaring, and school buses beeping. Then, the streets become tranquil again until car doors open and shut, emptying the occupants to their peaceful domicile.
Comment on October 5, 2010 at 2:05 am
My neighborhood is a bustling, noisy city. Everyone walks everywhere so you are always running into people on the street. The smell of Falafel and french fries permeates the air.
Comment on October 5, 2010 at 2:32 pm
We live in a very quiet peaceful neighborhood surrounded by beaches and local vineyards. Our excitement for the day usually entails a visit from a family of deer, some rabbits or even a turtle.
Comment on October 6, 2010 at 2:50 pm
my neighborhood is relatively quiet. i love the friendliness of it. driving by people will wave at you that you don't know and we have neighbors that are true friends – it's a great place!!
amber (afren07@gmail.com)
Comment on October 6, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Really quite. My house is like near a small forest and only 3 houses at the area. Unless we take 10 minutes drive, we'll entering next neighborhood. and every morning we can piglets and their mom crossing our backyard..cool, isn't it?
darlyn225 at gmail dot com
Comment on October 6, 2010 at 3:05 pm
We live in a wonderful neighborhood where neighbors have become friends. We have block parties several times a year and are currently getting ready for a pumpkin carving party. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
teamjones5[at]yahoo[dot]com
Comment on October 6, 2010 at 11:26 pm
