Learning about Celia Cruz

Last night we start reading a bilingual biography series of significant man and women of Latin America. The books of this series are great to introduce important components and people of the Latino culture to our children.

Our favorite book of the series was My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz, written by Monica Brown and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This book talks about the Cuban-born singer known as “La Reina de la Salsa” (The Queen of Salsa Music).

Celia Cruz’s music was well-known in all Latin-America for being vibrant, happy and kind of magic, because everyone agreed that her songs make you want to dance. Celia even said: “when people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don’t want them thinking about when there’s not any money, or when there’s fighting at home. My message is always felicidad – happiness”

The book does a great job describing her charisma and fun personality seen on stage and in her flamboyant attire. But the story of her life also brought many first-time questions from my girl about issues like racism and important events like the Cuban revolution.

After we read our colorful book, I invited my daughter to listen to my favorite song from Celia Cruz, “La vida es un carnaval,” a fun and vibrant song, just like Celia was!

I love how the lyrics of that particular song are a great reminder that life is a carnival and we need to find joy regardless of the hard things.

“Ay, no hay que llorar
(No hay que llorar)
Que la vida es un carnaval
Que es más bello vivir cantando
Ooo ay, no hay que llorar
(No hay que llorar)
Que la vida es una carnaval
Y las penas se van cantando”