In the recent issue of NoveList School News,edited by Julie Corsaro, Pat discusses the evolution of Día, as well as Book Fiesta!, her new bilingual picture book commemoration. Read the interview here.
Share a Story/ Shape a Future
Back in March, a group of Kidlitosphere bloggers presented a week long online literacy event called Share a Story/ Shape a Future. In addition to a Literacy Resource Kit, (available as a pdf) there’s now also a dedicated blog. Check it often for useful information and links.
Abundant April
April is a month full of celebrations – we celebrate the earth, national parks and jazz; humor, penguins and pet owners. And, of course, poetry and literacy — April is National Poetry Month and April 30th is El dia di los ninos, el dia de los libros/ Children’s Day, Book Day. Pat is thrilled to participate in two events sponsored by Kidlitosphere bloggers honoring National Poetry Month. Greg K at Gotta Book has created 30 Poets/30 Days where each day during April he’ll post a previously unpublished poem by a different poet. Over at The Miss Rumphius Effect, there’ll be interviews with poets every day. Pat is scheduled on April 30 for both blogs.
Mark Your Calendars
. . . for this great upcoming conference! Jointly sponsored by the University of South Carolina and the University of Alabama, the Second Annual Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature Conferencewill be held in Columbia, S.C. on April 24-25, 2009. Dr. Sonia Nieto is the keynote speaker; authors and illustrators Lulu Delacre, Lućia González and Maya Christina Gonzalez will present workshops and there will be a community and family Dia program. For more information, click here.
Thanks to NoveList School News for the link. 
Bookjoy Alert!
I am so excited that María Hinojosa, host of NPR’s Latino USA, and her staff are helping us spread the good word about Día and about the importance of books and libraries.
“To any and all book lovers who have a good story to tell about how a book or librarian infused a child’s life with joy or purpose. NPR’s Latino USA is planning a feature to air before El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/ Book Day) in April that will share some of these stories about the power of books.
Do you have a story or can you help us find one? We are in search of all voices: young, old, in Spanish, Somali or any language. Write to us and tell us the story, and we may call you up for an interview. Others will be included on our web site.
We are especially interested in stories about Latino and immigrant children. Or in the kids themselves if they’d like!”
Please send them to Katie Davis(KDavisDC@aol.com)
Help us find stories and help us spread bookjoy by insuring that Día is being celebrated this April in your community. Reminder: Día celebrations are a great time to talk about Summer Reading Clubs.