Congratulations to My Friends John Parra and Monica Brown

Pat Mora

Frida Kahlo and Her AnimalitosHow pleased I was to see work by my friends illustrator John Parra and author Monica Brown honored by the New York Times as among the Best Illustrated Books of 2017. How clever of Monica to select world-renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and her menagerie as a subject for a children’s book, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos. The Times wrote, “With their folk-art sensibility, Parra’s elegant acrylic paintings evoke Kahlo’s style, her palette and her Mexican environment, but he creates a mood of harmony with the natural world and a lively, cheerful abundance all his own.”

Bravo John and Monica!
Pat

Día Grants for Programs with an African American Focus

Pat Mora

The Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) has announced that they are now accepting applications for their grants for Children’s Day, Book Day (El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros) programming with an African American focus. Find details and an application here. Applications must be received by February 26, 2018 and the awards will be announced on or about March 1, 2018. start your dia planning

Libraries that serve children and their families are eligible to apply; the event must be held on or about April 30, 2018. The award consists of a $500 grant in selected multicultural children’s books for the winning library.
CSMCL logo

Greeting a new Día Dynamo

Pat Mora

Kyle ZimmerKyle Zimmer, a lawyer, is the President and Co-founder of First Book, the amazing nonprofit social enterprise founded to ensure that local schools and community programs across the country serving children from low-income families would have a steady supply of the brand-new, high-quality books they so desperately need. With her support, First Book has grown its Día engagement as part of First Book’s commitment to connect children to books that promote diversity and inclusion (Stories for All Project). She embraced the opportunity for First Book to expand the Mora Award to more partners growing the Día movement and encourages her staff to work cross-functionally to elevate Día nationally. Kyle’s commitment to innovation and collaboration has earned her a reputation as a social sector leader.

Nurture, Savor, Collaborate and Prioritize

Pat Mora

In the Coming Year, Let’s…

flowersNurture our creative selves.

Cherish family and friends, laughing with them often.

Savor and share the earth’s beauty, the wealth of diverse cultures and languages, the wonder of art, and bookjoy.

Participate in growing a nation of readers since literacy is essential in a democracy.

Affirm the importance of meaningful, life-long education for all that enriches our lives and society, learning-communities of equals committed to reflection and responsible action.

Lead boldly advocating that equality always be linked to group inclusivity, the transformative power of our humanity.

Collaborate creatively with those who share our goals and values, rejecting negativity and cynicism, inspired and sustained by optimism, celebrating our successes.

Love our work, welcoming ideas, insights and strategies that deepen our full selves.

Prioritize regularly to invest our unique energy wisely.

Heed the wise who awaken our sluggish selves.

Practice gratitude, hope and faith daily.

Strive to be healthy in spirit, mind and body.

Download the poster.
In the coming year, let's...

Introducing…

Pat Mora

…my daughter Libby’s new web site.

Libby’s talents include being a writer, lawyer and gardener.
We have published two books together:

Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo! by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez    I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez

For the last three years, Libby and her husband Roger, a Colorado history professor, have been living in Madrid (Spain). Libby and I are working on a new book with that setting.

Enjoy this new site that Libby herself created.

Hurry home, Libby!
Pat

Libby Martinez website