This collection of six bilingual childrens stories takes a regional and historical emphases. Sixteen provides the background of September 16, Mexicos day of independence from Spain, and places it in a present-day context with which children can easily identify. The Little General teaches children about Cinco de Mayo through a young boy who helps save his village from the approaching French army. The remaining four stories are fables that impart important moral themes to young readers. In Sweetie, the Lion that Thought He Was a Sheep, children learn to respect different backgrounds and abilities. A Parrot for Christmas demonstrates the friendship children can share with animals and Orlando, the Circus Bear emphasizes the importance of compassion toward animals. A Horse Called Miracle teaches the value of helping others in need. Each story is followed with discussion questions to help children recall the storys key details and suggestions for classroom activities designed to stimulate curiosity and expand knowledge of historical events. From "Stories of Mexicos Independence Days: "Sweetie, the Lion that Thought He Was a SheepAll the animals in the forest and the fields were trembling They were afraid something frightful was happening. The lions were roaring so loudly that the ground was shaking. No one had ever heard the lions roar that way before.The rabbits gathered together in small groups, very much afraid. What is happening to the lions? asked one rabbit. I have never heard such a deafening ROOOAR, ROOOAR, ROOOAR.Sweetie, el len que se crea borreguitoTodos los animales en la selva y en los campos estaban temblando; tenan miedo que algo terrible fuera asuceder. Los leones estaban gruniendo tan fuerte que daba miedo de veras. Numca se les haba odo grunir tan fuerte.Los conejitos se juntaban en grupos pequenos, bien asustados todos. Qu les est sucediendo a los leones? preguntaba un conejito. Nunca he odo unos GRUIDOS, GRUIDOS, GRUIDOS, como esos.Reading level grades 3-4