Several publishers are supporting Dia in different ways through resources and promotions. Their efforts help broaden the awareness of Dia, not only as a day of festivity but as a year long celebration of bookjoy.
A poster featuring the cover of the Spanish language edition of Kevin Henkes’ Lilly’s Big Day (El gran día de Lily) was available from HarperCollins/Rayo.
Peachtree Publishers passed out Dia posters at conferences.
Random House has produced a resource guide packed with activities, program ideas, and reproducible bookmarks.
Simon and Schuster offers complementary Dora the Explorer postcards.
Posters have been passed out from Starbright Books.
Tricycle Press has a colorful poster featuring What Can You Do With a Rebozo?
posted by lc for Pat Mora
Family Book Clubs
Book Clubs have become so popular. Anyone know why? And how do people find a book club to join? These gatherings are certainly one way that adults and teens share bookjoy. When visiting the wonderful Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County last October, I asked Tony Tallent, their Director of Youth & Outreach Services, “What about family picture book clubs?” Even in the adult population, there are adults struggling to improve their reading skills, and picture books can be so welcoming to a whole family.
I remember the reading specialist I met years ago in Maryland. She didn’t speak Spanish, but she wanted to reach out to Spanish-speaking families. She’d bring families together at a library in the evening and share picture books with them. She told me that as the children translated for their parents, the parents began to add comments and tell stories and thoroughly enjoy the books. That generous reading specialist was sure sharing bookjoy and were the families grateful.
Tony Tallent, always a doer, is trying family picture book clubs at Charlotte libraries. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such clubs in many languages?
Dia Celebrations
April is a busy travel month for me. I’m off to the University of Southern Mississippi this week and then will soon after participate in Día celebrations at Seattle Public, Multnomah County, and Riverside County Public Libraries. I’ll be talking to children and parents in English and Spanish. I know I’ll be learning and will have stories to share on this blog. Any Día stories to share? Día plans?