April Is the Perfect Month To Have a Book Fiesta!

Pat Mora

Book FiestaParents: plan a gathering for family and friends. You can select a book for the party theme, plan some games and activities, and prepare a feast–but don’t forget to #ShareBookjoy at the party!

Teachers: Decorate school hallways and classroom doors with multicultural book covers, share poetry with The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations and pair readers of different age levels for read-alouds.

Librarians: Launch your Summer Reading Program with books that honor America’s many cultures and languages, have a book parade–invite children to dress as their favorite characters and create a display of bookjoy quotes from authors and patrons.

Don’t forget to share Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day, Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros!

Book Fiesta

Illustration by Rafael Lopez from Book Fiesta!

Diapalooza

Celebrate World Theatre Day on March 27

Pat Mora

Every March 27, the International Theater Institute celebrates World Theatre Day in order to share the joy of theatre with others. In Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo!, by Pat and her daughter Libby Martinez, a brave bilingual mouse and his family live in an old theater. When they decide to put on their own play and run into Little Gato-Gato, Chico Canto’s language skills prevent disaster and save the day!

Illustration © Amelia Lau Carling from Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo!

Illustration by Amelia Lau Carling from Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo!

March 22: World Water Day

Pat Mora

Water Rolls Water RisesThe United Nations celebrates World Water Day on March 22. The theme for 2018 is: Nature for Water, exploring how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century.

In the Author’s Note for her book Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube, Pat writes:

Water fascinates me, perhaps because I’ve spent most of my life in the Southwest desert region of the United States. The sound of rain is welcome music on a dry and thirsty landscape. Creeks and rivers refresh desert dwellers, and lakes–so much water–seem a surprise. Lightning and downpours startle. Snow softens mountains, hills, cactuses, rocks.

Water–essential, cleansing, dramatic, soothing–is a research interest of my husband, Vern Scarborough, a professor of archaeology. I have benefited from his knowledge, and also from his enthusiasm about the wonder of water and the importance of valuing this glorious natural resource.

Illustration by Meilo So from Water Rolls, Water Rises

Illustration by Meilo So from Water Rolls, Water Rises

Get Ready for World Poetry Day on March 21

Pat Mora

In celebrating World Poetry Day, March 21, UNESCO “recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.”

Later this year, The University of Arizona Press will publish Pat’s seventh adult poetry collection, Encantado: Desert Monologues:
Encantado by Pat MoraWe’re pleased to have this new book join Pat’s other adult poetry collections:

Introducing a New Children’s Day, Book Day Flyer to Share

Pat Mora

We’ve added something new to our Día Resources page: a customizable flyer. Download it here, add your organization’s info or logo, and share broadly! Many thanks to Día Dynamo Roxana Barillas at First Book for helping with the design.

Don’t forget about the Día Planning Booklet, which offers a compilation of ways to celebrate all our children and excite them about bookjoy.

Children’s Day, Book Day Flyer
Planning Booklet