A Webinar from Lee & Low Books: The Power of Poetry with Poet and Storyteller Pat Mora

Pat Mora

Does your poetry collection need a refresh? Are you looking for ways to entice readers with lively poetry this spring? Do you love poetry, but are cautious about how to teach it in ways that will resonate with students?

My Magic Wand: Growing With the SeasonsJust in time for Poetry Month in April, Lee & Low books is presenting a webinar featuring tips and strategies from Pat about how to use poetry with students in various educational settings. Dive into creative ways to make poetry fun and engaging for young people, not just during Poetry Month but year-round!

Whether you are a teacher, librarian, administrator, or parent, we look forward to having you for this fun conversation about the joy of poetry.

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
Duration: 1 Hour

Celebrating Bookjoy with Ashley Bryan

Pat Mora

In 2013, IBBY/USBBY created this poster for International Children’s Book Day.

What an honor to have Ashley Bryan illustrate my words.

He was a gifted giant in children’s books.

Ashley was always generous. I carry his smile.
Pat

Bookjoy poster

Black History Month

Pat Mora

Sacred Cows and Other EdiblesI have been re-reading Nikki Giovanni’s autobiographical essays, Sacred Cows…and Other Edibles. I think I had the pleasure of seeing her jump up on a cafeteria table at UT El Paso years ago to begin a reading. Such a feisty spirit.

In the past, I had the pleasure of reading with Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, and expressing a teary thanks to Lucille Clifton before we read together. Such an honor to read with these poets. Nikki Giovanni ends Sacred Cows with the following, “It is the willingness to pioneer the one trek we all can make…no matter what our station or location in life…the existential reality that wherever there is life…we are at home.”

Perhaps thanks to education, news and social media more of us are aware of our human diversity and of our responsibility to protect our planet.
Pat

The Feast of the Epiphany, January 6

Pat Mora

More widely celebrated in Latin America than in the United States, the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day or Los Tres Reyes, marks the the arrival of the Magi symbolizing that the Christ Child was revealed to the world. The tradition of making (or buying) a Three Kings’ Wreath or rosca de reyes inspired my book, The Bakery Lady: La señora de la panadería. I wrote it to show a close Mexican-American family celebrating this tradition by baking together. I am blessed to have known such closeness in my own life.

As a writer, I love the word epiphany from the Greek meaning a manifestation or striking insight. Wishing you epiphanies in the new year.

Pat
The Bakery Lady/La señora de la panadería