Celebrating Las Posadas

Jeanette Larson posted about "Celebrating Las Posadas" on the ALSC blog and mentioned Pat's book Gift of the Poinsettia/ El regalo de la flor de nochebuena. Las Posadas re-enacts Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem and is celebrated throughout Latin America.

Pat is a Guest Blogger too!

Recently, Pat was the Guest Blogger at the TeachingBooks.net blog. She wrote a wonderful post about harvesting ideas titled "From Seed to Song". My favorite line reads "Seasons exist is the interior as well as the exterior world."

This photo is of Pat's backyard landscape.

Coming Soon: New Bookjoy Logo

In April 2008, with the help of Laurina Cashin, I began this bookjoy blog. We include what I said then in the right hand column: I’m not sure when I coined the word “bookjoy.” I’ve been delighted, though, at how readers smile when I use it. For about a year, I’ve been working on a logo that we could use for this blog and on my web site, etc. Good news: it’s done, and soon we’ll be posting it.

Soon I’ll also be able to happily say that my book on seven creativity practices for educators and their students is also finished. I’m working on the final edits trying hard to include all I want to share about how important educators are, how developing our creative side enriches our teaching and life, and about how our students also need us to foster the seven practices in them.

I hope that you’re enjoying a good summer. What are you reading?

The Voces Blog

This is a good blog to add to your bookmarks or RSS feed. Voces, a place for and about Latino authors and their books; Spanish language translations; and news from the Latino book industry, is the blog of Adriana Dominguez, a ten-year veteran of the publishing industry. As she points out, her experience gives her a "unique insider's perspective" on Latino publishing and book market.

Her recent post about Día includes a roundup of recommended books.

SpanglishBaby Celebrates Día

In honor of Día, blog SpanglishBaby ("Raising Bilingual Kids") posted a great interview and article about Día and Pat's new book Book Fiesta. Check out the entry here.

Día in the Blogisphere

We're thrilled to see Día mentioned in various blogs about children's literature and literacy. Thank you to the bloggers for supporting and spreading the word about Dia.

Imagínense Libros is one part of ¡Imagínense!, a multifaceted program combining current research and practice to assist librarians, teachers, and other educators in meeting the literacy needs of Latino children and adolescents. The brand new blog is written by Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, the director and founder of ¡Imagínense!. There's lots of resources and book reviews will become a regular feature.

The Latin Baby Book Club is celebrating Día all week so click the link and read several posts including music and book reviews; book-centric activities; and give-aways.

Bookmark, the First Book blog, has a summary of Día events.

Thanks to the Reading Tub for the links.

Celebremos!

Share a Story/ Shape a Future

Back in March, a group of Kidlitosphere bloggers presented a week long online literacy event called Share a Story/ Shape a Future. In addition to a Literacy Resource Kit, (available as a pdf) there's now also a dedicated blog. Check it often for useful information and links.
(Logo created by Elizabeth Dulemba.)

Voces, a new blog

Dear fellow book lovers,

Greetings from cold Santa Fe. Yes, temperatures can get much too cold in the high desert. The hills outside my window dusted with snow are beautiful though.

I am so excited that my friend, Adriana Dominguez, an expert on Latino children’s books, a talented translator, and the wonderful editor of my new bilingual book, Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day, Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros illustrated by Rafael López is launching a new blog for and about Latino authors and their books. Adriana is knowledgeable, committed and enthusiastic. She has been a Día fan since she first heard about the family literacy concept. Visit this wonderful resource
Voces.

Wishing you good holidays, a Happy New Year and a year of savoring and sharing bookjoy,

Pat