Children’s Day, Book Day Resources

Pat Mora

Whether you’re planning your very first Children’s Day, Book Day celebration or you’d just like to gather new ideas, there are online resources to help.

On this website, visit Día Resources to Share, where you’ll find a complete Planning Booklet, a printable flyer, videos to share, public service announcements and links to helpful websites.

ALSC DiaThe Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) provides many Día resources on their website and Facebook page, including:

Don’t forget to add your Día programs to the ALSC Program Registry!

First Book supports Children’s Day, Book Day by working within their own network; their website provides many great resources for teachers:

The Texas State Library & Archives Commission provides many resources through their Lone Star Dia page.

Share My LessonTeachers are important advocates for Children’s Day, Book Day. The American Federation of Teacher’s Share My Lesson website is a destination for educators who dedicate their time and professional expertise to provide the best education for students everywhere. visit their Día page to find lesson plans.

Teachers: 10 Ways You Can Celebrate Children’s Day, Book Day

Pat Mora

Many thanks to two of our Children’s Day, Book Day Supporters for these ideas: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and Colorín Colorado.

#1: Find some special books that represent different cultures to share with your students on April 30th.

#2: Host a Facebook Live special event with a visiting author–or just invite parents and friends to watch your classroom celebration.

#3: April is National Poetry Month, so plan a poetry slam! Or, for younger students, plant a poetry garden: write poems, paste on sticks and “plant” them outside the school.

#4: Schedule a Skype author visit with your class.

#5: Pair readers of different age levels for read-alouds: principals can read a favorite childhood book; teens can help with storytimes for elementary students.

#6: Plan a bilingual/multilingual story hour featuring readers of languages spoken in the community.

#7: Have students create bookmarks and posters for a Children’s Day, Book Day art show.

#8: Find and share videos of authors reading a favorite poem or book.

#9: Plan a school-wide book-themed scavenger hunt.

#10: Make a classroom video with students sharing the name of their favorite book and/or why they love to read.

If you want to share YOUR ideas with us, send an email.

Diapalooza 2018

Hooray for Children and Books!

Pat Mora

Twenty-three years of celebrating children and books. What a powerful duo!

Every day is Children’s Day, Book Day–all children, all cultures, all languages. On April 30th, all over the country in all languages including Spanish El día de los niños, El día de los libros (Día) families, libraries, and schools, etc. plan special celebrations, just as we plan for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

We want to be a nation of readers! What are your special plans for sharing bookjoy?

Pat

Celebrate Children's Day, Book Day!

Alive: March 2019

Pat Mora

So much snow this year in Santa Fe! How fortunate I feel safe and warm reading One Hundred Poems from the Chineseby Kenneth Rexroth.

“The city is full of flying pear flowers.”

I enjoy Penelope Lively’s Oleander, Jacaranda: A Childhood Perceived. All her wise and witty perceptions. How lucky I am to be a reader and to have access to books. Do you too savor that blessing? How it expands our lives and connects us across languages and countries. Diverse humans.

Across our country, educators—teachers, librarians, publishers–who are not only readers but reading advocates are planning their annual Children’s Day, Book Day celebrations on April 30th, a year of connecting children to bookjoy. Families join this yearlong commitment at home and can participate in the spring community celebrations.

I am more ALIVE because I’m a reader. You?

Pat

leaves

Celebrating powerful women in March

Pat Mora
Illustration by Raul Colon, from Dona Flor

Illustration by Raul Colón,
from Doña Flor

March is Women’s History Month.
Celebrate by reading about powerful women!
Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big HeartDoña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart
A tall tale peppered with Spanish words and phrases about a big, beautiful woman. Also available in a Spanish edition. 		A Library for JuanaA Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Inés
About the 17th-century scholar who devoted herself to words. Also available in a Spanish edition.
Maria Paints the Hills
Maria Paints the Hills
A picture-book story of real-life Santa Fe painter Maria Hesch. 		Agua Santa Holy Water
Agua Santa: Holy Water
Drawing on oral and lyrical traditions, this collection of poetry honors the grace and spirit of mothers, daughters, lovers, and goddesses.

2019 Tucson Festival of Books

Pat Mora

Tucson Book FestivalPat will be making several Sunday presentations at next weekend’s Tucson Festival of Books. We hope you can join us on Sunday, March 3:

WordJoy: Celebrating Poetry with Children
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Education Room 308
Explore ways of bringing the joy of poetry to children. Followed by a book signing from 12:30-1:00.

Tucson Voices
2:30-3:30 pm
Student Union Kiva
Tucson poets Sally Roundhouse, Logan Philips and Mele Martinez join with Pat in reading from Encantado: Desert Monologues. Followed by a book signing at 3:30.

¡Bookjoy Gran Fiesta!
4-5 pm
Nuestras Raíces/Presentation Stage
Familias and families, todos and everyone–gather around and listen closely: join us for a Book Fiesta with Pat! Enjoy a botanita (snack) and a free book!

Tomás and the Library Lady Chosen as a Featured Book for Choose to Read Ohio

Pat Mora

Tomas and the Library LadyThe State Library of Ohio has announced that Tomás and the Library Lady has been selected as a featured book for the Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO) initiative for 2019 & 2020. CTRO, a project of the State Library of Ohio and the Ohioana Library, spotlights Ohio authors and illustrators and promotes reading across Ohio.

CTRO has created a readers’ toolkit for Tomás and the Library Lady, written by Kathy Halsey, which features discussion questions and activities for young readers, teachers, librarians, and caregivers to extend the experience of reading the book. Download the toolkit.