According to the book "Looking for Carrascolendas: From a Child's
World to Award-Wining Television" by the show's creator Aida Barrera, the title of the series
was a corrupted version of the word "Carnestolendas" meaning Carnival, the
original name of a South Texas town known today at Rio Grande City.
The program was designed to help children four to nine
years of age (based mainly in the Southwest) cope with their feelings
and relationships in a multicultural society.
Other cast members included Mike Gomez as Campamocha, the handyman;
Dyana Elizondo as Dyana the Doll; Agapito Leal as Carrascoles, the village cafe
owner and Lizanne Brazell as Pepper, the detective.
CARRASCOLENDAS, one of many bilingual series created because of Federal
funding for the 1968 Bilingual Education Act, also spawned such children's
series as QUE PASA, USA?, VILLA ALEGRE, MUNDO REAL, and LA BONNE AVENTURE (in
English and French).
In later years, series like DORA THE EXPLORER and THE MISADVENTURES OF
MAYA AND MIGUEL continue the legacy of bilingual programming in the United
States..
Theme Song Lyrics
Have you been to Carrascolendas,
Carrascolendas, Carrascolendas?
If you've never been to Carrascolendas.
Come along, come along,
Come along, come along
to Carrascolendas.
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