Congratulations to Award Winners

Congratulations to Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Sonia Manzano, and David Diaz  for winning the Pura Belpré Awards and Honors and to all who received ALA Youth Media Awards.

April Literary and Literacy Celebrations

April: an exciting literary and literacy month! Look at the varying observances in this Wordle and savor the thought that all over the country diverse people and organizations work to share bookjoy.

Grijalva Will Receive ALA 2011 Public Service Award for Support of Libraries in Public Education

Warm congratulations from Pat to Representative Raúl Grijalva, a Library Champion.


" The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced it will award the 2011 Public Service Award to Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva May 9 as part of National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. In 2009 and in several previous Congresses, Grijalva introduced the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act, which seeks to place at least one highly qualified school library media specialist in each public school."
 
Read the full press release.

Día = Diversity in Action

I attended a fine program on Día at the ALA Annual conference last week. Originally, staff from the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County  were scheduled to present Día is Diversity in Action but unfortunately were unable to attend because of severe funding problems. Oralia Garza de Cortés and Jamie Naidoo Ph.D., both known as Día supporters and knowledgable presenters, stepped in to report on Charlotte's Mecklenburg's success in using Día as a tool in dually reaching the Spanish and international community for literacy, as well as informing the audience about a wealth of multicultural books and resources for programming. The importance of planning and promotion, as well as collaboration with local agencies was discussed.

See this blog's Díapalooza's post about Charlotte Mecklenburg's 2010 celebration here.

Movers & Shakers Serving Young People & Teens

We postponed writing about the 2010 Movers and Shakers because of Díapalooza but didn't want any more time to lapse before noting all the creative and forward-thinking librarians on this annual list compiled by Library Journal from field nominations. Congratulations to all the Movers and Shakers 2010!

Many of the names on this year's list are doing marvelous work for children and teens in libraries -- grass roots teen literacy, grant writing to improve services, state-wide preschool literacy, demystifying picture book organization, revolutionary teen programming, and training. We applaud those contributing to a brighter future for libraries and youth.

Rhymes for the Little Ones

Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English
Rose Zertuche Treviño
ALA Editions, 2009
paperback (978-0-8389-0982-9)

Rose Treviño is the Youth Services Coordinator for the Houston Public Library, one of the largest library systems in the country that serves one of the biggest Spanish-speaking populations in the country. She is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA), the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the Texas Library Association (TLA), the Public Library Association (PLA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. Her work has great impact on library services provided to Latinos on both the local and national level. Past chair of the Newbery Award Committee, Treviño is also a passionate advocate for Latino children’s literature. Amazingly, she has time to write, too! Her new book is a collection of ready-made bilingual storytimes for babies to primary school children.

We asked Rose to answer some questions about her book and she graciously agreed.

Tell us the story behind Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English – why did you write this book?
I was approached by an editor at ALA Editions and asked if I would consider writing a book with ideas to help those who work with bilingual children. As a children's librarian, I offered bilingual storytimes for children for many years and thought I'd give it a try. I used many of the songs, rhymes, and fingerplays that my Mom had taught me as a child.

Describe your research process; what were your sources?
My best sources were my Mom, my Aunt Bea, and my daughter-in-law, Vicky. I also contacted Jose-Luis Orozco, author and songwriter and requested permission to use a few of his renditions of traditional songs. Over the years, I had learned different versions at conferences and workshops and kept these in my idea file.

Give us a sample of one of the rhymes you included in the book.

Here is one from the chapter for babies:

This nursery rhyme is a favorite with babies. Ask parents to hold baby’s hand open and tap the baby’s palm as the simple verse is recited.

Pon, pon, tata,
Pon, pon, la la,

Mediecito pa’ la papa;
A little sock from papa;

Pon, pon, tía,
Pon, pon, maybe,

Mediecito pa’ sandía;
A little sock for baby;

Pon, pon, pon,
Pon, pon, pon,

Mediecito pa’ jabón
Wash my socks

Y me lavan mi camisón.
And nightie.

Thank you Rose!

Off To ALA in Anaheim

Finally, huge, wonderful clouds in the blue Santa Fe sky. We’re all hoping for rain. Hot summer days here remind me of even hotter days in El Paso. When I was a little girl, my sister Cissy and I liked the Summer Reading Club and afternoons when we’d stretch out and enjoy our books. That’s the quiet pleasure—the bookjoy—I want for all young people.
I look forward to seeing old friends next week in Anaheim. It’s always a particular pleasure to meet or re-connect with librarians who are ardent Día supporters. Last January, when I opened the envelope notifying me that I’d be receiving an Honorary ALA Membership this June, I was, quite frankly, amazed. I feel very humbled by this totally unexpected honor and am deeply grateful to the Texas librarians who nominated me. This recognition, like all honors, makes me want to work not only harder but more strategically with my partners to link all children to books, languages and cultures.
Today is the summer solstice, the “longest” day of the year. Since I’m solar-powered, this should be a productive day. I’m off to make a Tres Leches Cake and wish I could invite you all over for a piece.
Wishing you a summer that includes time to reflect on the question: am I creating a life I love?
(written on June 21, 2008)