Libraries in over half the country will celebrate Día!

Exciting news! So far, one hundred and sixty school and public libraries in over 30 states have registered their Día events with ALSC. Check out the interactive map on ALSC's Dia web pages for details about these events and programs.

When the Great Ones Were Little Ones

I’ve been wanting to suggest the fine reviews by Oralia Garza de Cortés in the fall/winter issue of the REFORMA Newsletter. Oralia reviews four children’s book biographies in Lectorum Publications’ Spanish-language series, “Cuando Los Grandes Eran Pequeños” (“When the Great Ones Were Little Ones”). Like Oralia, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about José Martí, Pablo Neruda, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and Julia de Burgos. I congratulate Teresa Mlawer, Lectorum President, for this excellent resource.

USBBY in New York City

Last week, I attended my first USBBY Board meeting in NY. What a committed group. If you haven’t joined USBBY (United StatesBoard on Books for Young People), I encourage you to do so. I also encourage you to add April 2, Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday, celebrated in many countries as International Children’s Book Day, to your literacy planning calendar. We say that every day is Día, an opportunity to celebrate children and linking all children to books. April 2, then, is a good day to focus on international books.

While in NY, my husband and I celebrated Valentine’s Day by seeing the 2008 Tony Award winning musical, “In the Heights.” Frankly, I seldom go to NYC, and it was an absolute thrill to see the talented and energetic Latino cast. Treat yourself to this if you can. You too will be part of an enthusiastic standing ovation.

2009 Día Materials from ALSC

The 2009 Dia brochure is now available from ALSC. Libraries registering their Día events can receive up to 200 copies of the brochure free. There's also a new interactive map so you can look up events across the country and Día wiki.