There were two Mora Honor Awards given this year to recognize literacy activities during the month of April in celebration of Children’s Day, Book Day; also known as El día de los niños, El día de los libros; or Día. The Mora Award is given annually by Pat and her sister, Stella Mora Henry, in partnership with First Book.

These two honor winners received $500 in credit to the First Book Marketplace: Andress High School Library in El Paso, TX and the Anaheim Central Library Children’s Room in Anaheim, CA.

At Andress High School Library, the theme was “Reading is Magical!” They had over 700 attendees and gave away over 850 free, brand-new books. The local public library brought their bookmobile, and the fiesta featured paper circuits, origami, rock painting, a bookmark station, plus lots of other free arts and crafts. They partnered with the El Paso Public Library, Barnes & Noble, the Army, the National Guard, the Marines, United Way, and the Sherriff’s department to put on the celebration.

A table full of books to choose from at the Andress High School Library celebration.

At the Anaheim Central Library Children’s Room, the theme was “Be a Superhero and READ! / ¡Se Superheroe y LEE!” About 250 kids and parents came, some dressed in superhero costumes. The goal for the event was to make kids understand that reading books will make your brain grow just like a superhero!

District librarians made this wonderful promotional video and it was shared to 30,000 students: