Yum! A Delicious Thanksgiving

Pat Mora

Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America's SproutingsPeanuts, blueberries, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more–here is a luscious collection of haiku celebrating foods native to the Americas. Brimming with imagination and fun, these poems capture the tasty essence of foods that have delighted, united, and enriched our lives for centuries. Exuberant illustrations bring to life the delicious spirit of the haiku, making Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America’s Sproutings an eye-popping, mouth-watering treat. Open it and dig in this Thanksgiving!

Activities for Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America’s Sproutings.

Sharing Bookjoy

Pat Mora

November is the gratitude month although we try to be grateful regularly, right?

Illustration by John Parra from Gracias~Thanks

Illustration by John Parra from Gracias~Thanks.

Healthy eaters delight in telling us about delicious fruits and vegetables, sharing their good habit and recipes with others (with some occasional sweet treats).

Reading is an important skill. For many of us, reading is more than a skill. It’s a unique pleasure. Like you, I feel blessed to be a reader and to have delicious books in my home. Ardent readers can delight in sharing our gift of reading by sharing bookjoy.

Pat

November: National Adoption Month

Pat Mora

November is National Adoption Month, and this year’s theme is “Teens Need Families, No Matter What.” Teenagers who have spent years in foster care need the commitment and care of a loving family to help them transition into adulthood with the foundation and support they may never have had. For tip sheets, resources, and info on how to spread the word, visit the Child Welfare website. #NAM2017 #adoption

Illustration by Cecily Lang from Pablo's Tree

Illustration by Cecily Lang from Pablo’s Tree, an adoption story.

The Remembering Day: November 2

Pat Mora

I have so many wonderful memories of family and friends. Our lives are enriched by such memories whether we are children or adults.

Pat

The Remembering Day/El día de los muertos

The Remembering Day by Pat MoraIn this special bilingual picture book for children, Pat creates an origin myth in which she imagines how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones–El día de los muertos or the Day of the Dead–came to be. With tender illustrations by Robert Casilla that depict Bella and Mamá Alma’s loving relationship, this book will encourage children to honor loved ones, whether by writing stories and poems or creating their own remembering place.

Curriculum extensions:

  • Invite students to share stories about their relationship with a remembered loved one. Students can also share a photo or their own drawing.
  • Invite students to write a poem about a deceased family member or friend.
  • Invite students to bring photos or special objects of remembered loves ones and create a classroom, library or school display.
  • Plan a remembering day event at your school or library. You can include flowers, songs, favorite foods of loved ones, funny stories. Create a celebration of special people we have known.

Interior page from The Remembering Day/El dia de los muertos by Pat Mora Illustration by Robert Casilla from The Rememberi