PatMora.com is Now a Great Website for Kids!

We're thrilled that Pat's website has been selected as a Great Websites for Kids by the Association of Library Service to Children, (ALSC) a division of the Amerrican Library Association. As the press release notes, Pat's site was added to the recommended list of exceptional websites for children ages 14 and younger and joins a select group of author sites.

Voices of the Ancestors

Looking for an entrancing title for your book group or just a good summer read? Try Pat's family memoir, House of Houses, a rich blend of poetic language and elements of magical realism.

Questions for your personal reflection or to enjoy with your book group or class.

1. In what ways is House of Houses like and unlike other memoirs you've read?

2. Why do you think memoirs have become such a popular genre?

3. Name the person you connected to most in the book and describe the reasons why.

4. The author asks "Why do certain events become central memories, part of the core life story we create about ourselves?" (page 24) How would you answer?

5. Spanish words and phrases are used throughout the book. How does this affect your reading and understanding of the memoir?

6. How is your family like and unlike the Mora family?

7. Look through family photographs taken before you were born. Choose one and write a page about it. Would you like to share your piece with your reading group? A family member or friend?

8. The author refers to her childhood home as the "house of houses." What does she mean? Would you describe your childhood home as your "house of houses"? If not, what three or four words would you use to capture your feelings?

9. What humorous scene and sad scene most appealed to you? Why?

10. The family stories in this memoir are organized through different seasons or rhythms - the rhythms of the garden, the church liturgy, the family. What seasons or rhythms would you use to organize your family's stories?

Literacy Nights at the Public Library

Anne Kissinger of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System wrote about "Literacy Nights at the Public Library" on this week's ALSC list-serv. We liked this idea so much we wanted to share it.

The Wauwatosa Public Library, a member of MCFLS, held two literacy nights each with a different approach. The first, for adults, was a summer reading promotion and included
communication, research, vocabulary games, book talks, story telling, library support and library programs. Kissinger credits the successful participation to the help of Title 1 teachers who spoke with parents/caretakers one-on-one or sent home invitations to the event, as many of the adults were not library users.

The second literacy night was held at an elementary school and included adults and children. The public library held read-alouds to different grade levels and talked about the summer reading program. Other activities included showing the viral video "Gotta Keep Reading," an author visit, reader's theatre by students and a book swap.

What great methods for attracting adults and children to the library and reading! What ideas do you have for "Literacy Nights"?

Do you have people attending your programs that speak a language other than English? Consult this suberb list from Language Castle, Making Families Who Speak Other Languages Feel at Home in Your Program for invaluable tips.

A New Día Dynamo

Exciting Reminder: April 2011 is Día’s 15th Anniversary! Some of you have been members of what I think of as the National Día Community from the beginning and some of you are deciding to join us now in linking all children to books, languages and cultures. As part of the celebration, by April 1, I’m going to honor 15 Día Dynamos, adding one a month. How special to add Rose Treviño.


At the end of April, my friend Rose died. I’d met her years ago thanks to our mutual friend Oralia Garza de Cortés and thanks to ALA. Rose was an early supporter of Día and served on its National Advisory Committee at ALSC. A Texas librarian deeply committed to all children including the under-served, Rose promoted Día when she was head of children’s services at the San Antonio Public Library where she discovered bookjoy as a child, and later championed Día at the Houston Public Library. I believe it was Rose, who when she was on the ALSC Board, was a grand champion who encouraged the Board to offer to be Día’s national home.

Rose will be remembered by many for a host of reasons: because she was an exemplary librarian and the first Latina to chair the Newbery Award Committee, for her books: Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English (2009) and The Pura Belpré Awards: Celebrating Latino Authors and Illustrators (2006), and for the gracious way she treated all who knew her. I miss my friend Rose with whom I could always talk deeply about Día’s purpose and importance. From personal experience, Rose knew how hard it is to be a literacy advocate for families not viewed by all as important. She always cheered me up and assured me that better days were ahead, that Día mattered and would grow and grow.

As we begin planning for Día’s 15th Anniversary April 2011, I carry Rose’s memory and hope with me. She is Día’s angelita, inspiring us to be brave and creative in linking all children to books. Join us.

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.