New picture book coming in October!
The Remembering Day/El día de los muertos

In this special bilingual picture book for children, author Pat Mora creates an origin myth in which she imagines how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones—El día de los muertos or the Day of the Dead—came to be. With tender illustrations by Robert Casilla that depict Bella and Mamá Alma’s loving relationship, this book will encourage children to honor loved ones, whether by writing stories and poems or creating their own remembering place. Read more.

Pat is the recipient of the Texas Writers Award
She will receive the award during this year's Texas Book Festival and was the featured author at the South Texas Literacy Coalition Gala. Find out more.

Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Looking forward to Día's 20th
Apri 2016 is Día's 20th anniversary! Let’s invest in creative literacy throughout the school year and have the biggest and most effective April book fiestas yet. Let’s create such a national celebration that Día becomes an annual national tradition. Share Día! Share bookjoy! Read more.

I smiled at how relaxed I look in this Texas Book Festival photo from years ago. I don't know when I first went, but I've been fortunate to attend a number of times. Now, why don't I feel that relaxed now? I'm mighty honored to be receiving the TBF Writer Award which includes, yes, a pair of custom-made cowboy boots, made in my home town/city of El Paso. We are talking Texas you know.

I am excited and grateful to the Texas State Library and Archives and the New Mexico State Library for their evolving plans to promote Día state-wide. We are each needed to share bookjoy in creative ways. Let us hear your bold and clever ideas.

Savor autumn,