Bookjoy in Action

Jane Gagni, Ph.D. shares a wonderful Bookjoy story:
 “This semester I took my undergrads into a mostly Hispanic fifth grade. Part of what we did was choral reading. I gave the children a choice of which language they wanted to read, and they mostly chose Spanish, which was made even more fun when three of my undergrads also performed the Spanish version.

When we finished I asked, "What was that like?" A girl answered, "It was like living in a dream of music."

Jane is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Literacy at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. She has published Encountering Children's Literature: An Arts Approach (Ally & Bacon, 2004), and over a dozen literacy-related articles. Her forthcoming book, co-authored with Mary Ann Reilly, is Deepening Literacy Learning: Art and Literature Engagements in K-8 Classrooms (Information Age Publishing, 2010). Jane's website has extensive resources, including several fine bibliographies on children's literature, early literacy, and diversity.

Literacy News

We’re catching up on some literacy related news that we didn’t get to last month. Reach Out and Read, the non-profit, national initiative that fosters reading readiness as a crucial element of school success, launched a Spanish-language version  of its website in mid-April. The ROR program already serves Latino children and families, and 86% of programs serve families for whom Spanish is their first language. The new website offers a multitude of resources including reading tips, recommended booklists, (including some of Pat’s books) guide to developmental milestones, and information on how Spanish-speaking families can support or volunteer for ROR in their communities.

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.

Happy Día Everyone!

¡Gracias, gracias, gracias! What a Díapalooza we’ve had this month!

Thanks to each of you who sent us posts and to all who visited our bookjoy blog. Yea to the librarians, teachers, parents, community organizations and sponsors who planned meaningful Día events that celebrated children and demonstrated that family literacy is FUN. Thanks also to ALSC and REFORMA, my Día partners.

A special thanks to Laurina Cashin who gathers material and helps design the blog. Since Laurina and Bobbie Combs, the team who manage my web site and newsletter, suggested the great Díapalooza idea and creatively help me grow Día, they are the new Día Dynamos. Thanks for your steady help, mis amigas.

Have ideas for our next Díapalooza? Please send your suggestions to webcontact, etc. Hint about Díapalooza April 2011? The number 15!

Those of us committed to sharing bookjoy promote 365 READ, reading as a daily pleasure. Since many Día celebrations are now a kick-off to Summer Reading Clubs, May is a good month to stress pleasure reading and to remind children and families to sign-up for Summer Reading Clubs.

The members of Día’s National Community are a bit weary after a month of hard work, united in our commitment to link all children to books, languages and cultures, important work. Though apart geographically, we’re smiling together.

15 Día Nuggets: Bookjoy Quotes

Our last Día Nugget -- enjoy!

15 Día Nuggets for Día’s 15th Anniversary

#15 Bookjoy Quotes

1. I think its fun to read a dog story to my dog. Katelyn, 8

2. I love reading because it is so relaxing. Kyra, 7

3. I love to read because I enjoy getting lost in stories. It takes me away from reality for a while, and that is truly a blessing! Jean, 45

4. My books are portable and can go anywhere - the biggest benefit of all is you can read them as many times as you like! Kermit, 72

5. I am happy when the story isn’t scary. Julia, 3

6. Bookjoy (or the pleasure of reading) means turning off the outside world and escaping into a universe that I choose. Karen, 45

7. I like reading cause you get to read cool books and learn cool things. Paige, 9

8. MY favorite time to read is after everyone has gone to bed -- a good book can take me to places of adventure - of peace - of beauty - I'm only limited by my own imagination. What a great way to end the day! Diana, 50

9. I like to read because I get smart. Keane, 5

10. Well, reading is how you hear about interesting stuff. Gavin, 7

11. Reading is fun because it brings me to a whole new world. John, 10

12. I love (she drew a heart) books because there are adventures and magic and fantasy and I feel like it is happening right in front of me! Lucie, 9

13. I like books because you get captured in the book. Sam, 9

14. I love reading because if helps me with my writing and gets my imagination flowing. Drew, 16

15. Because I like to pretend I'm a librarian. Lauren, 5

All 15 Nuggets are archived and also available as a downloadable pdf.

Día in Tucson

We planned on attending Día events in Tucson since we spent the winter there, but plans changed and we headed east sooner than expected. I'd hoped to post photos from our local Día.

Join the Pima County Public Library in its 13th annual celebration of Día! We will have a variety of programs throughout April that are sure to bring lots of Bookjoy:

• The Santa Rosa Branch will have a series of 3 programs where children will write, illustrate and “publish” their own stories to take home and enjoy.
• Children will celebrate Bookjoy at the Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch with storyteller Glenda Bonin. They will get a chance to participate in the telling of stories that are just for the fun of it.
• For the youngest children and their caregivers, Woods Memorial Branch will have a Sign and Play program where families will bring their favorite stories to share and then learn the signs that go along with them.
• If you like to read and you like to eat, the Valencia Branch library has a very exciting program planned. Children will hear some Mexican-American food stories and then watch a live tortilla making demonstration.
• Local author Marge Pellegrino will present a workshop for kids at the El Rio Branch where she will read Book Fiesta by Pat Mora, share Bookjoy, and guide the children in authoring their own books.

Thanks to our guest blogger April Gering, Librarian Supervisor at the Pima County Public Library in Tucson AZ.

Broward County FL Celebrates Día

Broward County Commission Libraries Division Celebrates Día with Children’s BookFest on April 24th
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Broward County Library’s Children’s Bookfest is slated for Saturday, April 24, 2010, at North Regional/BC Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This free festival, which celebrates children and their books, is geared for youngsters ages 3 to ten and their families.

Children’s BookFest is held in recognition of Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), a national cross-cultural celebration of children and reading (April 30).The theme for this year’s Children’s BookFest is: “One World, Many Stories: The oceans link us together.” In that spirit, the festival promises all little pirates and mermaids an ocean of stories and fun, and invites them to come in costume to the event (as pirate, mermaid or other sea creature), and join the BookFest parade.

BookFest will feature professional storytellers, top-notch children’s entertainers, authors,

strolling storybook characters, hands-on crafts and free books to the first 700 children at the event. We will be also giving out 200 books in Spanish, courtesy of Hoopoe Books and All Bilingual Press.

Featured presenters include:

David Novak - Storyteller David Novak combines the simple magic of theatre with the
evocative movements and voices of the master storyteller. Novak invites kids to “Get Wet Inside the Ears” with his presentation Sea Changes: Stories of transformation and magic from sea and shore. David Novak is a gifted teller who has been nationally acclaimed for his work. He currently resides in Asheville, NC.

Shana Banana - Award-winning national children's entertainer, singer & songwriter, Shana Banana (Smith) is a vivacious and creative performer whose music has won many prestigious honors, including two Grammy nominations, and several Parents Choice awards. Shana Banana has just completed season one of “Banana Bread,” her new TV show on Florida PBS for kids. She is working on her fourth CD, an ocean-themed treasure called “Banana Beach Party USA.”

Magician Cesar Domico – This Tampa Bay-area magician, a native of Colombia, has performed at cities and events throughout the United States and South America. Once called “the best magician in Colombia,” his bilingual comedy/magic show will delight and thrill kids and parents alike.

Tales and Trails Storytellers –This renowned storytelling couple from New Mexico – Bob Kanegis and Liz Mangual - say that their stories are for “everyone older than yesterday
and younger than tomorrow.” They’ll entertain with stories from around the world, including some bilingual tales.

Others – Adding to the BookFest entertainment lineup will be: Salty Sue the Pirate (aka
Suzy Hammer); Geddy the Gecko’s new Walking on Water show, and others.

Children’s BookFest is funded by the Broward Public Library Foundation with support
from Broward Family Life Magazine and the Florida Marlins Community Foundation.
                                                           # # #

Thanks to our guest blogger Freda Mosquera, a youth services librarian with the Broward County Library.

A Día Wordle

We had fun creating this Día Wordle. You can make your own word cloud at the Wordle website.

Día in School Libraries

My library will be participating in Día de los Ninos/Day of the Child. We will be celebrating by having the students do their artwork depicting reading and literacy. It will be an on going process throughout the month of April, with the finished products to be displayed on Friday, April 30th. Paperback books will be given to the participants.

Thanks to our guest blogger Linda Hinojosa, Librarian at Buckner Elementary/ Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD  in Pharr, Texas. We're happy that school libraries are holding Día celebrations too, whether on their own or in cooperation with area public libraries. April 2010 is the 25th Anniversary of School Library Month.

Linda sent us several examples of her students' artwork.

Publishers Support Dia

We thank the many publishers who sent their good wishes for Día and contributed images and links about their diversity books. We hope to see growing support for Día from the publishing community.

Candlewick supports Dia’s goals of linking all children to books, languages and cultures by publishing books like Roberto's Trip to the Top.

Here are some links to downloadable material such as activity and discussion guides and posters for a few Charlesbridge books that we think would be a good addition to the DIAPALOOZA festivities!

“Get swept away in a book” -- a Literacy Poster with art from Our Seasons by Grace Lin, illustrated by Ranida McKneally

“Get down to your library!” -- a Literacy Poster with art from Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Activity and Discussion Guide for Join Hands! by Pat Mora and photographs by George Ancona


Cincos Puntos Press has teacher's resources for many of their titles and author videos.

Children's Book Press helped create the poster and bookmark for the San Francisco Día celebration. These materials are also available for download on theirwebsite, in a blog entry posted about Día.

Little Brown has an educator's guide available for Confetti Girl by Diana Lopez.

Penguin Young Readers offers a great resource for educators, a website for teachers and librarians that contains all sorts of curriculum and discussion guides, title information, and a wealth of other materials available for download.

Pat Speaks in Las Vegas & Writes About Día States

Over a thousand visitors since April 1 at our first Díapalooza! Wow! Laurina Cashin who is coordinating this project and I are really smiling. I smiled lots this month as I participated in Día events in Galveston, Corpus Christi, Las Vegas, Nevada, and when I chatted about Día with dedicated librarians at the Texas Library Association (TLA). In Corpus Christi, I had the honor of reading from my work for adults at the Texas A & M English Department and of speaking about Sharing Bookjoy (and Día) at a reading and literacy conference on campus. I met inspiring librarians and teachers in Las Vegas, NV, thanks to the commitment of Mary Nelson Brown, Youth Services Coordinator for the County Library District. Mary believes that we want children and families reading all year long, and that  Día is an important annual celebration of family reading. Mary and her team are thinking about how to grow relevant literacy celebrations throughout the city. Are your schools and libraries planning to work together to promote your community as a reading community?

One of the Día activities at Las Vegas is making milagros for the children's department bulletin board.

Día States

Flo, Trujillo, one of our Día Dynamos, promotes Día throughout New Mexico and secures a Día proclamation from the Governor. Freda Mosquera is doing this same important work in Florida. The California State Library promotes Día state-wide as does the Texas Library Association. Know of any other states who promote Día state-wide?

Literacy Quote of the Week

"Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today."

                                                  — Gabriela Mistral