The American Flag Foundation’s Annual National Flag Day and Pause For The Pledge of Allegiance happens at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Flag Day, June 14th. May we each ponder how we participate in fostering “liberty and justice for all.”
Illustration from I Pledge Allegiance, by Pat Mora & Libby Martinez, illustrated by Patrice Barton
COVID, murder, riots, fear, sadness.
Privately, we sigh,
each remains accountable
for ourselves, family, friends, children,
our beautiful yet complex and unfair
world,
the circle of us spinning
in space
in gravity.
“Working expands my soul,”
says “Anna” in Encantado.
Let’s work together.
Albuquerque City Councilor Cynthia D. Borrego has launched Lavender Libros, a book reading project to demonstrate care and outreach to New Mexico’s children.
Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Raquel Reedy chose to read Pat’s Delicious Hullabaloo!
Pat wants to thank Dr. Joseph Castro, the President of California State University, Fresno, for sharing this reading of Tomás and the Library Lady with Sunset Elementary School.
Learn how to make a Hummingbird Cake, the sweet treat featured in the new picture book written by Pat’s daughter Libby Martinez and illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon, The Homesick Club.
This April 30th is our 24th Anniversary!
Gracias to all the families, teachers, librarians, professors, presses and youth promoters who have encouraged and supported children enjoying books and reading at home. We want to be a nation of readers! April 30th, enjoy a celebratory treat.
Imagine! Next April 30th will be our 25th Anniversary!
Pat
Long time Children’s Day Book Day Supporter, Association for Library Service to Children (ALA), has posted their 2020 graphics to promote Día: Children’s Day, Book Day. Here’s a note from Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Program Officer Angela N. Hubbard:
Each Story Matters—Every Child Counts. When ALSC developed its 2020 theme and graphics to promote Día: Children’s Day, Book Day, the idea was of course to encourage everyone to celebrate children and books, but it was also to highlight the importance of counting every child in the 2020 Census. While this April is unlike anything any of us imagined, it remains important that we continue to provide opportunities for children to connect with their families and other children through stories.
ALSC has created free downloadable graphics to help librarians and others promote Día: Children’s Day, Book Day. There are posters, social media graphics and booklists that Día supporters are welcome to share broadly.
Each year on April 22, Earth Day celebrations remind us to honor our planet’s resources throughout the year, just as Día celebrations held on April 30 remind us to make a year-long commitment to linking children and families to books. Parents and educators know that books, reading, and our planet’s resources should be celebrated every day.
Illustration by Meilo So from Water Rolls, Water Rises
