Education – Success Story
Children's magazine in Spanish to debut

Garfield Elementary School second-grade teacher Christianne Meneses Jacobs is launching an educational children's magazine, Iguana, published entirely in Spanish.

The sample issue of the magazine will debut Saturday and Sunday at the Phoenix Latino book and Family Festival at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Geared toward 7- to 12-year olds, Iguana features short stories, interviews with prominent Latino personalities, puzzles, crafts projects, recipes and science articles.

Meneses Jacobs, who teaches in the Phoenix Elementary School District, knows first-hand how important it is for Latino children to learn English to succeed. She moved to the United States from her native Nicaragua at age 17.

"I also believe that retention of their culture and language is equally important," said Meneses Jacobs whose 2-year-old daughter inspired her to launch the new magazine.

Bimonthly production is expected to begin with the spring 2005 issue. Information: www.IGUANAmagazine.com.

© 2004 The Arizona Republic. Reprinted with permission.

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