La gran aventura de Alejandro: A Fun and Educational Spanish Reader with English Translation
La gran aventura de Alejandro: A Spanish Reader for Beginners
If you are learning Spanish and looking for a fun and engaging way to improve your reading skills, you might want to check out La gran aventura de Alejandro, a Spanish reader for beginners. This book is not only a story, but also a cultural and historical journey through Spain. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this book, including what it is, why you should read it, how to read it, and where to find it.
english translated version la gran aventura de alejandro pdf
What is La gran aventura de Alejandro?
La gran aventura de Alejandro is a Spanish reader written by Abby Kanter and illustrated by John Dyess. It was published in 1994 by AMSCO School Publications. It is designed for middle school students or adult learners who have some basic knowledge of Spanish. The book has 136 pages and contains 15 chapters, each with exercises that reinforce reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills.
The plot of the story
The story follows the adventures of 13-year-old Alejandro, who travels with his family from Mexico to Spain for a summer vacation. Along the way, he meets a mysterious old man named Don Quixote, who claims to be the famous knight-errant from the classic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote invites Alejandro to join him on his quest to revive the spirit of chivalry and romance in modern Spain. Together, they visit various places and encounter various characters from Spanish history and culture, such as El Cid, Christopher Columbus, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Francisco Franco, and many more.
The author and illustrator
Abby Kanter is a Spanish teacher and author who has written several books for Spanish learners, such as El viaje perdido, El cuarto misterioso, and Fiesta fatal. She has a master's degree in Spanish literature from New York University and has taught Spanish at various levels for over 20 years. She currently lives in New York City.
John Dyess is an illustrator and graphic designer who has worked for many publications and clients, such as Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest, Coca-Cola, IBM, and NASA. He has also illustrated several books for Spanish learners, such as El viaje perdido, El cuarto misterioso, and Fiesta fatal. He currently lives in St. Louis.
The cultural and historical aspects
One of the main attractions of La gran aventura de Alejandro is that it introduces the reader to the rich and diverse culture and history of Spain. Each chapter focuses on a different region or city of Spain, such as Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, etc. The reader learns about the geography, climate, cuisine, art, architecture, music, literature, festivals, traditions, customs, and people of each place. The reader also learns about the historical events and figures that shaped Spain's history, such as the Roman Empire, the Moorish invasion, the Reconquista, the Spanish Inquisition, the discovery of America, the Spanish Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, the transition to democracy, and the modern challenges and achievements of Spain.
Why read La gran aventura de Alejandro?
There are many reasons why you should read La gran aventura de Alejandro if you are learning Spanish. Here are some of them:
The benefits of reading in Spanish
Reading in Spanish is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. Reading can help you to:
Expand your vocabulary and learn new words and expressions.
Improve your grammar and learn how to use different structures and tenses.
Enhance your comprehension and learn how to understand different types of texts and contexts.
Develop your fluency and learn how to read faster and more accurately.
Boost your confidence and learn how to enjoy reading in Spanish.
The features of the book
La gran aventura de Alejandro is a book that is specially designed for Spanish learners. It has many features that make it easy and fun to read, such as:
A simple and engaging plot that keeps you interested and motivated.
A clear and accessible language that matches your level and needs.
A colorful and attractive illustration that helps you visualize the story and the culture.
A variety of exercises that help you check your understanding and practice your skills.
A glossary of words and expressions that help you learn new vocabulary.
A map of Spain that helps you locate the places visited by Alejandro and Don Quixote.
The reviews and ratings
La gran aventura de Alejandro is a book that has received many positive reviews and ratings from readers and teachers. Here are some examples:
"This is a great book for beginners. It is easy to read and has a lot of cultural information. I learned a lot about Spain and its history. I also liked the exercises at the end of each chapter. They helped me review what I read and practice my Spanish."
"I used this book with my students and they loved it. They were very interested in the story and the characters. They also enjoyed learning about Spain and its culture. They improved their reading skills and their vocabulary. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn Spanish."
"This is a fun and entertaining book for Spanish learners. It is not only a story, but also a journey through Spain. It is like traveling with Alejandro and Don Quixote. You get to see different places and learn about different aspects of Spain. It is a great way to improve your Spanish while having fun."
How to read La gran aventura de Alejandro?
If you want to read La gran aventura de Alejandro, here are some tips and strategies that can help you get the most out of it:
The recommended level and pace
La gran aventura de Alejandro is suitable for beginners or intermediate learners who have some basic knowledge of Spanish. You should be able to understand simple sentences, common words, and basic grammar. You should also be familiar with some aspects of Spanish culture and history.
You can read La gran aventura de Alejandro at your own pace, depending on your level, goals, and preferences. You can read one chapter per day, per week, or per month. You can also read the whole book in one sitting if you want. The important thing is to read regularly and consistently.
The tips and strategies
When you read La gran aventura de Alejandro, you can use some tips and strategies to make your reading more effective and enjoyable, such as:
Before reading, activate your prior knowledge and make predictions about the topic, the characters, or the events.
While reading, use context clues, cognates, or illustrations to guess the meaning of unknown words or expressions.
After reading, answer the questions or do the exercises at the end of each chapter to check your comprehension and practice your skills.
Review the glossary or look up any words or expressions that you want to learn or remember.
Summarize or retell what you read in your own words or write a short reflection or opinion about it.
The resources and activities
If you want to enrich your reading experience, you can also use some resources or activities that can help you learn more about the book, such as:
Listen to the audio version of the book 71b2f0854b