🎶Adela's Mariachi Band🎺
Embedded Files
Click to read on MackinVia!
Adela wants nothing more than to be a part of her family’s mariachi band, but when she tries the different instruments, everything comes out wrong. La trompeta fizzles, la vihuela squeaks, and trying to dance makes Adela fall on her face. From watching her family, Adela knows that practice makes perfect, but can she find a way to be a part of the band in the meantime?Â
Book Trailer
Read Aloud
Click here to complete the book tag activity!
Song Inspired by the Book
About the Creators
Discussion Questions
Look at the Spanish words found in the book. Can you figure out the meaning of each Spanish word based on the English text and illustrations?
What were the members of the band wearing for their performances? Why do you think they wore these clothes? Why do you think the dancers and the musicians were dressed differently? Have you ever been in a group where everyone had to dress alike?
How did Adela feel about not being in her family's band? Have you ever felt left out of something? How did that feel?
How did Adela react when she tried and failed to play the instruments and dance? Do you play an instrument? What was it like when you were first starting? How did you get better?
What is a grito? How is a grito like or unlike other sounds? What kind of feelings does a grito express? Why do you think Adela used the same sounds of Tia Evelyn's grito to express her disappointment?
Did Adela quit? She may have given up on certain instruments or dances, but did she ultimately give up her goal of joining the band? Is it always a bad thing to quit? Are there times when quitting one thing may be necessary to try a different way to get to your goal? When might quitting a goal entirely be necessary to pursue a different goal?
How did Adela'a family support her in her goal of joining the band? How do people in your life support you when you are working toward a goal?
Book Activities
Draw your family as if you are all in a band. Don't forget to write everyone's names and instruments underneath!
Related Resources
Mariachi music is traditional folk music from Mexico that includes five different instruments. Mariachi music was born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.
The guitarron is the bass of the mariachi and is the most important part of the mariachi. This six string bass guitar is played with two strings at the same time. The guitarrón strings are A, D, G, C, E, and A.
The vihuela is a creation of the Coca Indian of Southwestern Jalisco in Mexico. The vihuela is a five string guitar with a hump back. The vihuela is part of the armonia section of the mariachi.Â
The guitarra de golpe is part of the armonia section. It is a fretted instrument like the vihuela and has five strings. The guitarra de golpe strings are: D, G, B, E, and A.
The trumpet is a standard instrument used in the mariachi. A mariachi has one to two trumpets in the band. The trumpets and violins play the melody of the mariachi songs.
The violin is a four stringed instrument tuned in perfect fifths and is played with a bow. The violins and trumpets play the melody in a mariachi song. The strings on a violin are G, D,A , and E.
The guitar is a six stringed instrument and is part of the armonia family in the mariachi. It plays the rhythms of the mariachi in different patterns. Strings on a guitar are: E, A, D, G, B, and E.
What is the mariachi uniform (traje de charro)?
Jacket – Chaqueta
Hat – Sombrero
Neck Bow – Moño
Pants – Pantalones
Boots – Botines de Charro
Where is mariachi from?Â
Mariachi music is native to the region of western states of Mexico that include Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, and Colima.
What is a mariachi band?
If you played in a mariachi band, which instrument would you play?
Ballet FolkloricoÂ
Also illustrated by Erika Medina:
If you liked Adela's Mariachi Band, you may also enjoy...
Page updated
Report abuse