Celebrate Mothers and Grandmothers This Weekend
This weekend is Mother’s Day, our annual day to honor the strong women in our lives. Over fifteen years ago, Pat edited and contributed to Love to Mamá: A Tribute to Mothers, a beautiful and celebratory collection in which thirteen poets write with joy, humor, and love about the powerful bond between mothers, grandmothers, and children.
In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews said of the book:
“The warmth of family, life, especially that of mothers, aunts, and grandmothers, pervades this delightful collection of poems by Latino writers of various backgrounds…Although the voices are Latino, the poems and experiences they encompass will speak to all…Abrazos (hugs) for Mora and all the contributors for this one.”
Illustration by Paula S. Barragán M. from Love to Mamá
21 Years of Celebrating Children and Books
This is my giant THANK YOU! GRACIAS! to each of you who has contributed to our 21st Día celebrations across the country this April. Special thanks to Bobbie Combs, my web manager, and to our loyal organizational partners at ALSC, First Book, AFT, etc.
I’m grateful to Adriana Domínguez who years ago edited Book Fiesta: Celebrate Children’s Day, Book Day/Celebremos El día de los ninos, El día de los libros and to talented illustrator Rafael López. 
Poetry for children is so important, a song for their hearts. It makes me happy that my friends Margarita Engle and Rafael have created a fine new book, Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics, for us to enjoy and share in English and Spanish.
I think of our young poets on this end of National Poetry Month when Día culminating celebrations are held across the country.
Día: promoting bookjoy throughout the year—day by day, día por día–all children, all languages, all cultures. Onward together!
Pat
New Mexico Celebrates Día
Deanne Dekle
Deanne says: “I’ve been educating the public library staff on how to celebrate Día and encouraging them to include Día in their youth services programming.” She shares resources on the New Mexico State Library Día website.
Flo Trujillo
A reminder from ALSC: it’s not too late to add your Día events to the National Program Registry!
Oklahoma Día
Our loyal supporters, Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, will be promoting Día at Oklahoma State University’s new literacy event, “OSU Celebrate Community—with Poetry.” In support of this celebration, Pomelo Books has donated 100+ assorted books for use in community schools and as event prizes.
