Wonderful AASL in MN

I was so excited flying to Minneapolis last week to speak at the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a group I’d not met before. Talk about committed literacy professionals! The librarians at all levels—elementary, middle and high schools, as well as university faculty members—all expressed how much they enjoyed their work and the excitement of their students.


As always, I learned so much from my conversations with these professionals, one of the joys of being a presenter. Not enough of the school librarians were familiar with Día , but many are eager to plan their first culminating Día celebrations for this coming April. I hope that they, and all of you who may be planning your April book fiestas, are finding helpful information on the Día section  of my site and on the various links on the site. I welcome your suggestions and ideas.

AASL members ready to promote the Día family literacy concept to their schools and districts, brainstormed about how to increase Día’s impact within their organization and in the national literacy community. Ideas included presentations/sessions about planning Día events at district, state, regional and national meetings.

Join us in linking all children to books, languages, and cultures. Be part of establishing the national tradition of celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros, Children’s Day/Book Day just as we annually celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Share bookjoy!

Pat signing books following the Author Banquet

Winners of the 2011 Mora Award Announced!

Congratulations to the Santa Ana Public Library (CA) and the Springfield Public Library (OR) winners of the 2011 Estela and Raúl Mora Award!

The award was established in 2000 by author Pat Mora and her family to honor their parents and to motivate libraries to celebrate "Día," El día de los niños/El día de los libros, Children's Day/Book Day on April 30th.

Read the full press release in English and in Spanish.

Who won the 2011 Estela and Raúl Mora Award?

Twelve wonderful applicants. REFORMA will announce the two winners next week. My congratulations and thanks to all who applied and my thanks to the REFORMA Mora Award Committee, especially the chair Beatriz Pascual Wallace. For more information about the award, go here -- http://www.patmora.com/dia/mora_award.htm.

Opportunity Nation

I’ve joined Opportunity Nation, a campaign to help put promoting opportunity, social mobility and access to the American Dream back on the national, state and local community agendas.The Opportunity Nation campaign officially kicks off at a national summit on Nov 4.  Click here to sign up to watch a livestream of the event.  You can also participate on the web on Nov 4 to lend your voice to the discussion.