A Letter from Pat - June 2004

Dear Girls and Boys,

One day I visited a museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I now live. I saw some paintings I really liked by Maria Hesch. “These paintings would make a wonderful picture book,” I said.

Maria had studied the art of Grandma Moses, and then Maria had painted the Santa Fe of long ago when she was a little girl. I studied Maria’s work, and then I wrote a book about her, Maria Paints the Hills. We used Maria’s paintings in the book. Have you read it?

Maybe you would like to look at a book of paintings and write a story or poem about it. You could also find a book partner. One of you could write the book, and the other could illustrate it.

I’m busy writing new books for you. I sit at my computer and play with words and ideas. Writing is fun, and it is also hard work. Because I’m bilingual, I can choose words in English or Spanish. I can choose abuelita or grandmother.

Soon I will visit my three grown children who live in Austin, Texas. I will see their pets too. Our family will laugh together and talk about books. We feel lucky that we are all readers.

Enjoy many, many books!

Your friend, Pat Mora ☺