Saludos Amigos: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1943

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Some middle scary scenes - thunder/snow storm. 
• Tobacco - cigars

Before Beginning:

Be wary of outdated cultural presentations, like the description of music as “strange and exotic.” Discuss with children that other cultures are not objects to be observed, but real people just like us. 

Discussion Questions

• In this film we see portrayals of other cultures. Why is it important to learn about other cultures? How can we be careful to avoid stereotypes? 
• The little airplane Pedro took his first journey to deliver mail over the Andes mountains. How did he feel before, during, and after his journey? What difficulties did he encounter? How did his parents feel? What was a time you had to do something new? How did you feel? What difficulties did you encounter? How do you think God felt when we do something new? 
• Donald Duck met a new friend, Jose Carioca, who lives in a different place, speaks a different language, listens to different music, and eats different food. Tell about a time you met a new friend who was different from you. 

Scripture Connections

• Diversity. Gen 11:1-9; Ezek 47:22; 1 Cor 14:26; Eph 4:6; Col 1:16-17; Rev 7:9-10; 2 Nephi 31:3

Ideas for Further Study

• Research one of the places mentioned in the movie, like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Chile, Bolivia, or Peru. Is there someone in your neighborhood whose family history is from Central or South America? Talk to them to learn what it is like to live there.
• Research the ancient civilizations of Central and South America. Learn about European conquest and colonization of these areas. 
• Plan an imaginary trip to South America. Where would you go? Where would you stay? What would you like to do there? How much would it cost? Make a daily itinerary and calculate the costs. 
• Learn more about the gaucho horsemen and horses. See if there is a place near you where you can see or interact with horses. 
• Learn more about the types of music, dance, and other arts in South America. Is there a person or school in your community that teaches South American music or dance? 
• Find a recipe for food from South America and make it as a family. 
• Learn more about native animals in a certain area of South America. 
• Choose a language that is spoken in South America (there are many!) and learn a few phrases. 
• Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelves apostles is the first apostle of this dispensations from South America. Learn more about his life and teachings.