New Book about Día from ALA Editions

Pat Mora
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost fifteen years since Pat started talking about Dia. I still remember her telling me about her idea and my response that the Texas State Library would be happy to help promote this fabulous celebration. Why? Because linking books and children is important but it’s also fun! My staff and I put together a little booklet of ideas for librarians to use in developing a Dia celebration. I talked my artistic husband into creating a logo for the cover. That little booklet is still available on the Texas State Library and Archives website and has been shared with thousands of librarians and teachers. 
This year the American Library Association asked me to write a book about Dia to be published next year. The book will compile the history of the celebration, catalog some of the material that is available for people who are implementing community Dia programs, and celebrate the many wonderful ways that libraries and community organizations have been advocating for children and families and reading.
I’m looking forward to reading all of the entries on the Bookjoy Blog but also welcome input and material to be sent directly to me at larsonlibrary(at) yahoo(dot)com. Viva Dia! Let’s keep the celebration alive!
 

Creativity Salon: an Interview with Raphael López

Pat Mora

Today we’re featuring a reprise of an interview with Raphael López, the illustrator of Book Fiesta!, Pat’s book about Día. The original interview was done in March 2009.

An interview with Rafael López

Rafael López illustrated Pat’s book Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America’s Sproutings. Pat feels very lucky that he has now illustrated two of her books. We love his bold graphic style, bursting with imagination and intense color. We asked him a few questions about his work.

Tell us how you got started as an artist. What drew you to painting?
I grew up in a household of 2 architect parents who loved art books. They were very supportive of my love of drawing from a very early age and through my school years I was lucky enough to have the support and mentorship of wonderful teachers that encourage me to continue with my dream.

Tell us how you got started as an artist. What drew you to painting?
Finding a style needs to come naturally. I see many young talented people looking and imitating the latest trends and styles and I remember going through the same temptations early in my career.
Style will never come when it is forced, it needs to happen naturally, needs to be the result of life experiences, travels, beliefs, the kinds of things that inspire you in everyday life such as music, food, color, texture, family, politics, etc. With the passage of time you look back and surprise yourself by discovering a consistency in a personal style or “feel” to your work.
Mexico continues to influence me, having a second home there, I am connected to its past, its color, music, its history and one of my favorites…”texture.” I love old Mexican walls that show the years of wear, the many layers of paint that have been applied, they are like books that invite you to sit, observe and imagine.
continue reading …

Did you know that the text for Book Fiesta began as a song? You can read about Día’s First Song and Book Fiesta’s history here.

Día in El Paso

Pat Mora

Greetings from the El Paso Public Library! We are presently in the planning phase of our annual Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros celebration to be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Washington Park in Central El Paso, Texas. This year will mark our 14th anniversary and we are expecting to give away over 15,000 new books to area children and their families. Our theme for this year’s celebration is Rock & Read! And our special guest is Dora The Explorer!

Please join the El Paso Public Library in recognizing and celebrating Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros. We hope your library will host a Día celebration next year!

Read a full description and list of El Paso’s 2010 festivities here. The photos below are from last year.

Book Giveaway

A Big Crowd

Thanks to our guest blogger, Martha A. Toscano, Literacy Coordinator at El Paso PL.

Literacy Quote of the Week

Pat Mora

Each Sunday during Díapalooza we’ll post a literacy quote in addition to our regular post.

“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations–something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.”
                                     — Katherine Paterson

Día Translations

Pat Mora

Día is a celebration of ALL languages and ALL cultures. You can use these translations in your programing or find others to fit the languages and cultures of your community. We’d like to expand our list, so please add translations to the comments section or write to webcontact@patmora.com.

(My thanks to several members of ALSC for assistance with the translations.)