In 2015, we’re celebrating the 15th publication anniversary of two of Pat’s books:
Celebrate Día Dynamo Pat Smith
As 2015 begins, let’s celebrate Pat Smith, the Executive Director of the Texas Library Association. With over 7,000 members, TLA is the largest state library association in the country. Pat, our new Día Dynamo, has been an enthusiastic and loyal Día supporter for many years. A nationally respected library leader, Pat is one of the most talented and committed administrators I know. In February, we’ll post an interview with her after the American Library Association’s Mid-winter Conference.
National Readathon Day
Help change lives on Saturday, January 24th by celebrating the first National Readathon Day with Penguin Random House and the National Book Foundation.
Water Rolls, Water Rises makes a Lasting Connection
Great news! Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube has been named as one of Booklist’s 2014 Lasting Connections!
Lasting Connections highlights the top 30 choices for the K–8 classroom, all published in the previous year and all selected for their natural connections across the curriculum and to the Common Core State Standards.
Feast of the Epiphany
I’ve always loved the idea of the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day or Los Tres Reyes, the end of the Christmas season. The night before is often celebrated as Twelfth Night. In part I’m attached to this celebration because I love the word epiphany from the Greek meaning a manifestation or striking insight.
I wrote The Bakery Lady/La señora de la panadería to show a close Mexican-American family celebrating this tradition by baking together. As part of my research, I had the pleasure of visiting behind-the-scenes of a small bakery I liked. Wonderful scents of bread baking and spices. Years later when the book came out, I discovered that indeed a young girl had been raised at the bakery by her loving grandparents.
For more information on the celebration internationally, enjoy http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/04/epiphany-2015_n_6350116.html
Wishing you epiphanies today. I’m waiting for mine!