Little Luchadores / Luchadores pequeños
Watch a video with ideas on this program, performed by Devo Carpenter
Books to Share
Kid Cyclone Fights the Devil and Other Stories by Xavier Garza
Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask by Xavier Garza
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
Super Cilantro Girl / La superniña del cilantro by Juan Herrera Felipe
Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod
Books to Show or Booktalk
Captain Underpants Series by Dav Pilkey
The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich, Vol. 1. by Greg Trine
Ladybug Girl Series by Jacky Davis and David Soman
Lucha Libre, The Family Portraits by Lourdes Grobet
Lucha Loco: The Free Wrestlers of Mexico by Malcolm Venville
Bulletin Board
Alter Egos: Superheroes & Luchadores
Cover the bulletin board with blue butcher paper. Cut the words “Superheroes & Luchadores” out of red construction paper and affix to the butcher paper. Decorate with images of popular superhero and luchador characters.
Nametag
The Champion / El campeón
Print the champion template at the end of this program onto yellow construction paper.
Displays
Superheroes around the World
Ask a local comic book store or comic fanatic to lend a variety of comic books about popular superhero characters to exhibit in a display case.
Decorations
Use the Luchadero Mask Template at the end of this program to print out a Lucha Libre Cartelera to promote your event throughout the library.
Refreshments
Snack de campeónes
Serve popcorn and apple juice.
Contests
The Muscle Show
Have children participate in a muscle show by flexing their arm and leg muscles, just for fun. The participant with the most interesting muscle show wins a small prize.
Costumes and Props
Decorate the program area with luchador masks and capes.
Songs
Super Heroes vs. Super Villainsby The Backyardigans
Action Rhymes
Muscle, Muscle Show
(by Priscilla Celina Suarez)
Muscle, muscle show,
I want to show
my muscles off.
Watch me flex my right arm
watch me flex my left arm.
Muscle, muscle show,
I want to show
my muscles off.
Watch me flex my right leg
watch me flex my left leg.
Muscle, muscle show,
I want to show
my muscles off.
Watch me flex my right thumb
watch me flex my left thumb.
Muscle, muscle show,
I want to show
my muscles off.
If I Were a Gran Mascarado
(by Priscilla Celina Suarez)
If I were a Gran Mascarado
you would not know it so,
my mask would hide me
and my identity
so that you would wonder
“Who is that Gran Mascarado?”
Si fuera un Gran Mascarado
(by Johana Resendez and Priscilla Suarez)
Si yo fuera un Gran Mascarado
usted no se daría cuenta,
mi máscara me ocultaría
la identidad
de modo que usted se preguntaría
"¿Quién es ese Gran Mascarado?"
Audio Recordings
Flashby Queen
Kryptoniteby Three Doors Down
Reader’s Theater
The Three Little Luchadores
(by Priscilla Celina Suarez)
Characters
- Little Luchador 1
- Little Luchador 2
- Little Luchador 3
Little Luchador 1: My mom tells me I am too little, but I don’t really, really don’t think so.
Little Luchador 2: My mami says I am too nice of a boy to be the luchador I’d like to choose.
Little Luchador 3: Well, my mother tells me I am too big of a boy to be a sidekick instead of the gran luchador.
Little Luchador 1: My mom tells me that I will get hurt, but, you see, I have my own technique. Not everything I do has to be so rude, and superheroes come in all sizes. Haven’t you seen Clark Kent before, he is superman even though he might not look so at first sight. I’d like to tell you, don’t judge a book by its cover.
Little Luchador 2: As nice as I can be, I have so much energy, that sometimes I think I’d like to wear the rough masks as scary as Halloween. You might think I’m mean because I choose to be a rudo, but really, it’s more flying and climbing I get to do. But being a rudo and enemy of the ring, I sure do think I’ll have my own fans. For as nice or as mean as I might seem, I’d like to tell you, don’t judge a book by its cover.
Little Luchador 3: Sure I am tall and bigger than Little Luchador 1, but I have my own techniques too. If we were a team, I could have his back and keep an eye out to make sure nobody tags him. Because, if we were a team we would never be beat and Little Luchador 1 and I would always win the grand championship. Being a sidekick doesn’t make me any less important in the ring, so I tell you, don’t judge a book by its cover.
Luchadores 1 and 3: But here as a team, we just might win, root for us if you agree.
Luchador 2: Who needs a team when by myself I can win, and if you like you can root for me, but there is no doubt about it, I’d win!
Shopping for My Luchador Mask
(by Priscilla Celina Suarez)
Characters
- Little Luchador
- Mami
Mami: Little Luchador, are you ready to choose?
Little Luchador: No, Mami, I just need a little more time.
Mami: Little Luchador, from so many to choose, I fear you might never decide.
Little Luchador: No, Mami, I am almost done.
Mami: Little Luchador, which do you like the most.
Little Luchador: (pointing at several different masks) It is between this one, and that one, and that one. And maybe that one or that one.
Mami: Little Luchador, I agree with you, those are just so beautiful.
Little Luchador: Ay, Mami, they are all so unique, I just want to make the right choice. That one there is my favorite color, green, with layers of gold around the eyes. But that one there looks like El Gran Santo’s, and he is my favorite wrestler. Look at this one, white and so plain, but it stands out the most. Or this other one here, with a braid on the back, would make me look like a rudo. So many to choose from, I just need more time before making my final decision.
Mami: I know what you mean, just look at me…
Little Luchador: Mami, you found a mask for yourself!
Mami: Little Luchador, how could I not, with pink and flower details?!
Little Luchador: Ay, Mami, this is not fair. It didn’t take you long to choose your own mask, and yet, here I stand with so many possibilities!
Tongue Twister
Lucha Libre Ring
(by Priscilla Celina Suarez)
This lucha libre ring looks longer and wider the longer I look around this large-looking lucha libre ring.
Crafts
Luchador Cubee Craft
Provide crayons, glue, and scissors. Copy the template provided at
http://www.cubeecraft.com/blog/red-demon-lucha-libre-now-available/ and let the children create a cool Lucha Libre cubee craft.
Luchador Mask
Materials
- Cardstock paper (white)
- Jumbo Craft Sticks
- Crayons
- Glitter
- Glue
- Scissors
Directions
Print the Lucha Libre mask template provided at the end of this program onto white cardstock paper. Let children decorate the mask with colors and glitter. They can then cut out the mask and glue a craft stick to the back.
For older kids that can do more complex crafting, see How to Make a Lucha Libre Mask – Viper Comics
Games and Activities
Show the children how to thumb wrestle and host a contest. Bring in a face painter and let them choose a design for their cheek or arm.
Guest Speakers
Inivite a comic book artist or local high school wrestling team to present a library program. Or, invite a Police or Fire Department to bring their mascots to show the children.
DVDs/Films
Nacho Libre (92 minutes)
Web Sites
Consejo mundial de lucha libre - site for Spanish speakers with details on current and upcoming Lucha Libre events.
Lucha Libre USA - Find out about upcoming luchas in the United States, as well as news about your favorite American luchadores.
Professional Resources
Cubee Craft - Create a paper cubee craft using the template provided in this website.
How to Make a Lucha Libre Mask – Viper Comics - Create your own lucha libre mask using a simple cotton tee. This one would be great for older boys as it does take some significant cutting and other work.