Disney VoluntEARS Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Local Classrooms
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 1, 2013 – Kids around Central Florida are learning more about Hispanic culture thanks to some Disney VoluntEARs and a new bilingual book to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month.
Written in English with some Spanish words, Rubia and the Three Osos combines humor and music to retell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Cast Members are reading the book in local classrooms and learning centers. For many years, Walt Disney World Resort has provided Cast Members the opportunity to engage in a VoluntEAR reading activity designed to highlight Hispanic culture during the annual celebration Sept. 15 – Oct. 15.
Wrriten by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Melissa Sweet, the book is recommended for ages five through eight, and is helpful for bilingual families, new Spanish speakers and anyone who likes a ‘bueno’ twist on a fairy-tale classic.
“As soon as I found out about this opportunity I called my son’s school,” said Matt Gomez, a Cast Member who recently shared the book with students at Keene’s Crossing Elementary School. “I took a lot of pride in sharing some of my culture with my son and his second-grade classmates.”
The celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1988 by Presidential Proclamation to honor the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States. The original proclamation in 1968 designated a one-week celebration to commemorate the independence of several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.
