Ninez: Spanish Songs, Games, and Stories of Childhood [Paperback]

Virginia Nylander Ebinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993

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. Winner of the Southwest Book Award from the Border Regional Library Association.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Spanish (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

About the Author

Virginia Nylander Ebinger is a native of New Mexico and 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. When she moved to northern New Mexico as a school music teacher, her interest quickly grew to include first the music and dance of the nearby Pueblo Indians and then the culture of the Hispanic people, especially the songs and tales of childhood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sunstone Press; Bilingual edition (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865341753
• ISBN-13: 978-0865341753
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #931,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > Hispanic
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science > Folklore & Mythology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Spanish, March 2, 2005

By 

Kyra_Athena "Kyra_Athena" (Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ninez: Spanish Songs, Games, and Stories of Childhood (Paperback)

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.