Juanita is a bilingual children’s book written in English and Spanish. It is designed to sensitize young readers to Trinidadian culture, Trinidad and Tobago’s ethno-religious diversity, and the contemporary migrant experience while simultaneously improving foreign language skills. Juanita follows the adventures of child-protagonist Juana, a recent Venezuelan migrant to Trinidad, and her diverse troupe of friends (including her cat Malú!) as they explore her new country and its culture while navigating the challenges of making a home in a new place.
Juanita is targeted at readers aged 7-11 and consists of sixteen chapters that contain vocabulary lists, reading comprehension questions, and a written reflection exercise. These activities enhance reader interaction with the text and gradually increase foreign language proficiency. As such, both native English and Spanish speakers can use Juanita to improve their second languages since the content and exercises are available in bilingual format.
The goal is for this book to be used both recreationally and in a pedagogical setting which would be a pioneering move for bilingual fiction in Trinidad and Tobago. The authors hope that you can see their vision, and most of all, that you love Juanita as much as they do.
- Format: Paperback (135 pages)
- Reading age: 7-11 years
- Publication date: March 26, 2024
