Rice with Milk / Arroz con Leche

Posted: Monday, June 9, 2008, 9:07 am

Why is rice pudding referred to in this rhyme? Perhaps it is because the two main ingredients marry each other so sweetly. Whatever your interpretation, say this rhyme in either English or Español (Spanish).

One way to help your child gain early literacy skills is to share with him or her your favorite rhymes, songs, and stories in your own language. Rice with Milk / Arroz con Leche is a traditional Latin American rhyme.

English
(adapted by Beverly J. Irby & Rafael Lara-Alecio)

Rice with milk; I want to marry
A sweet little girl from the capital city,
Who is able to sew,
Who is able to embroider
And set a fine table with all in order.
I am the pretty little girl
And the daughter of the king.
I wish to marry,
But I don't know with whom.
With you? Yes. With you? No.
With you my life, I will marry.

Español

Arroz con leche me quiero casar
con una damita de la capital.
Que sepa leer, que sepa escribir,
que sepa también los postres servir.
Que sepa coser,
que sepa bordar,
que ponga la mesa en su perfecto lugar.
Yo soy la damita,
la hija del Rey.
Me quiero casar y
no hallo con quién.
¿Contigo?, Sí, ¿Contigo?, No.
Contigo, mi vida, me casaré yo.

Help your child be ready to read by practicing early literacy skills. You can help your child increase his/her vocabulary by reading books to them, by narrating your day, and by sharing family stories with him/her. All of these activities expose kids to a wide variety of words which will help them later when they are in school learning to read.

Worthington Libraries has children's books in the following languages: Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. If you need help finding books in our International Collection, please ask a librarian for assistance.

More like this: early literacy espanol rhymes Audio and video for Preschoolers Audio and video for Toddlers