Mother Goose on the Loose
in Spanish
Buena Casa, Buena Brasa (A Warm Home, A Warm Hearth) was a Spanish-language version of Mother Goose on the Loose developed and presented at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore by Anne Calderón from the Maryland Committee for Children and Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen. After two years of running this successful program, they began to dream about sharing their program with others. With much input and help from Anne, Early Literacy Programming en Español: Mother Goose on the Loose® Programs for Bilingual Learners was published in 2020 by Neal-Schuman publishers.
Currently available at the ALA Store, Early Literacy Programming en Español: Mother Goose on the Loose® Programs for Bilingual Learners is an adaptation of the original Mother Goose on the Loose program that incorporates successful experiences with Buena Casa, Buena Brasa. Because it uses the same Cass-Beggs Listen, Like, Learn approach, Mother Goose on the Loose en Español has also been called "Escucha y Disfruta con Mamá Gansa" which translates to "Listen and Enjoy with Mother Goose." A later version, still being using by public libraries, is "Mama Gansa si la alcansa."
The CD-Rom that comes with the book was recorded by children's librarian Rosa Hernandez. It includes songs in both Spanish and English, along with customizable forms for program preparation. The book also has flannel board templates, lyrics to songs and rhymes that work well in a Spanish language Mother Goose on the Loose program, and more.
An additional CD was recorded by Evelio Mendez and Rahel called "Escucha y Disfruta con Mamá Gansa"
Here is the Library Journal Review:
Escucha y disfruta con Mama Gansa
PreS-K.
These 49 child (and teacher) friendly songs and activities in both English and Spanish have been written or adapted by Canadian music educator Barbara Cass-Begg. The brevity of the songs (some only 40 seconds for both English and Spanish versions) make these ideal for very young children as well as for "sponge" activities during (or just prior to) transition times. Some of the songs come from the English tradition ("Eency Weensy Spider," for example) and some ("Bate, bate chocolate") from the Spanish. In both cases, the translations are informed and accurate, using as close to a generic Spanish as can be employed while still respecting rhythm and flow, and fitting the English well to the tunes when the translation is from Spanish. Evelio Mendez's Spanish renditions are clear, expressive, and engaging. Rahel, an Israeli singer and early childhood educator, has a clear, informal style that is instantly comforting. Preschool and kindergarten children will respond positively to these singable rhymes, whether familiar or not.
-Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
This is CD is no longer available online and can only be ordered by contacting Betsy directly via the contact form on this website.
To listen to Evelio's amazing rendition of La Araña Pequeñita and La Araña Grandotota (The Itsy Bitsy Spider and the Great Big Spider), move your mouse to the left most side of the black line below, and click on the blue square that appears.
To view a wonderful presentation by Miss Erika from the Ocean County Library System in Florida of a Mama Gansa program based on the Mama Gansa si la alcanza, click on the video below!