This book is my new favorite from Margarita Pérez García and Patricia Martí Torres. It is has a super fun (requetedivertido) plot filled with adventure. It is appropriate for very novice learners, but also has a substantial length that could make it a great early, whole class novel. I have always been impressed by Margarita's books, and this one doesn't disappoint! It has a great blend of culture and plot that is not always easy to create, but these two authors do an amazing job! I could not recommend it any higher!
When I got my hands on Tonia Patagonia y la caja mágica, I knew I was in for something special. Margarita and Patricia’s talent was already evident in their previous book, Arroz con cosas, which I’ve used with my students. Their stories always reflect a deep understanding of beginner learners — they make their books accessible without ever sacrificing fun!
With Tonia Patagonia, I not only discovered another wonderful story to teach, but I was also genuinely moved by the twist at the end. The story is fun, relatable, and uplifting. I especially appreciate the natural incorporation of high-frequency expressions with tener, which can often be challenging for beginners to grasp. Tonia herself is a cheeky, brave, and inspiring girl who ends up discovering a precious treasure.
Tonia’s journey takes readers through the Andes Mountains and several iconic landmarks of South America. As a Chilean, I felt truly seen, and I know this book will offer the perfect opportunity to immerse my students in Latin American culture.
I started learning Spanish six months ago and highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone just starting out learning Spanish.
The book is very user-friendly, with page-by-page phrase translations and a glossary at the end.
Additionally, each page is beautifully illustrated with colorful pictures, which would be very appealing to young readers. Besides the wonderful illustrations, the book's plot is very engaging and introduces readers to various Latin American countries and cultures.
Margarita y Patricia, me han hecho llorar con el libro y lo digo en serio. ¡Qué libro más hermoso! Me encanta la historia de Tonia, me encantan sus amigos, me fascina cómo son su familia y cómo tienen hambre, rabia y sed. Mientras leía me imaginaba las mil formas en que podría utilizar esto con mi año seis. Tonia Patagonia es un libro lleno de emociones y sensaciones. Lleno de colores y un inmenso viaje. Es un libro con música e imágenes. Es un libro para leer en tu clase, compartir, disfrutar y celebrar la amistad. Me encantó y ya veo a mis clases encantados con Tonia Patagonia también.