Two Picture Books to Share for Thanksgiving

Pat Mora

In the bilingual Gracias~Thanks, written by Pat and illustrated by John Parra, a boy relates the many things that he is thankful for. Here’s a page from the book:
Illustration by John Parra from Gracias~Thanks
“For my friend Billy, who showed me the book about a boy giant who puts his little parents on top of a tall tree when they misbehave, thanks.”

Kirkus gave the book a starred review: “Mora has a keen sense of the concrete, child-friendly detail, and it’s put to splendid use here. Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement as the unnamed narrator gives thanks to the ladybug that lands on his finger, the bees that don’t sting him and his little brother, who throws mashed peas at their sister … For this graceful celebration, ¡gracias!”

In Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America’s Sproutings, written by Pat and illustrated by Rafael López, a collection of haiku celebrates foods native to the Americas. (Also available in a Spanish edition.) Here’s a page from the book:
Illustration by Raphael Lopez from Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America's Sproutings
Corn
Leaves sprout silk-snug house.
Smell grits, tortillas, corn bread.
Pass the butter, please.

Book Links said about the book: “Mora’s descriptive poetry features wonderful word choices and gets it right to the essence of each food.”

Gracias/Thanks
Yum

A Classroom Idea for Celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month

Pat Mora

Mrs. Brittania Wright (2018-2019 Douglas County Teacher of the Year!) from Willis Road Elementary School in Georgia wrote:

Pablo's TreeEach month this year, we are focusing on diversity of different kinds. Each grade level receives two copies of a book that our committee chose in order to create a common language amongst our students and staff. This is our first year doing this project.

For November, we focused on National Adoption Month and we chose your book Pablo’s Tree. Each classroom read the story and had class discussions. I sent home blank copies of bells to all of our families and asked them to decorate them for their child to show how much each child means for their family and for us to display to show how much they mean to our school. Our tree is gorgeous and full of so much love and diversity. Thank you for this book. It has been a wonderful conversation starter with our students.

Pablo's Tree

October is National Reading Group Month

Pat Mora

House of HousesThe Women’s National Book Association celebrates October with National Reading Group Month. You can find resources and tips for celebrating the bookjoy of shared reading on their website.

Pat’s family memoir, House of Houses lends itself to thought-provoking reading group discussions. Here are some questions for exploration:

  1. In what ways is House of Houses like and unlike other memoirs you’ve read?
  2. Why do you think memoirs have become such a popular genre?
  3. Name the person you connected to most in the book and describe the reasons why.
  4. The author asks “Why do certain events become central memories, part of the core life story we create about ourselves?” (page 24) How would you answer?
  5. Spanish words and phrases are used throughout the book. How does this affect your reading and understanding of the memoir?
  6. How is your family like and unlike the Mora family?
  7. Look through family photographs taken before you were born. Choose one and write a page about it. Would you like to share your piece with your reading group? A family member or friend?
  8. The author refers to her childhood home as the “house of houses.” What does she mean? Would you describe your childhood home as your “house of houses”? If not, what three or four words would you use to capture your feelings?
  9. What humorous scene and sad scene most appealed to you? Why?
  10. The family stories in this memoir are organized through different seasons or rhythms–the rhythms of the garden, the church liturgy, the family. What seasons or rhythms would you use to organize your family’s stories?

September 2021: A Letter from Pat to Children

Pat Mora

Hi Girls and Boys,

I hope you enjoyed being with family and friends this summer. My husband and I went to see our granddaughter Bonny in Utah. We sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed birthday cake. Yum! My new book, My Magic Wand: Growing with the Seasons is about Bonny.

I write a birthday poem for Bonny too. Do you write a birthday poem or a story or draw a picture for Mom or Dad or an aunt or grandmother or friend? These are special gifts.

Did you read this summer? Did you visit your library? I read every day. Remember: every day is Children’s Day, Book Day. On April 30th, across the country, we celebrate all our children with books and special treats.

Your reading friend,

Pat Mora