Pat Mora's Blog, page 19

Snow in the Desert?

My son took this wonderful picture from our back deck last year. Santa Fe (NM) meaning holy faith, was founded as a Spanish colony in 1610. Located in what is called high desert at an elevation for over 7,000 feet, the terrain is quite different from the low desert terrain of El Paso (TX) where I was born and spent many years. Deserts: one of my sources of inspiration.
Pat

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Los abuelos: A Unique Winter Tradition

“Los abuelos” meant “the grandfathers” to me until I began reading references to the unique winter tradition of “los abuelos,” popular in New Mexican villages in the past. Sooty mountain men appeared with frightening masks to check on the behavior of children. Since I’m easily frightened, I chose to write a gentle version of how I imagine a spunky little girl responding to a visit by “los abuelos.” Enjoy!

Pat

Activities for Abuelos.

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CSMCL’s Best Multicultural Books of 2017

Children’s Day, Book Day Partner The Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) has chosen the Best Multicultural Books of 2017. The list is a great resource–please share it with your patrons, peers and families. Thanks to our friend and partner, Dr. Claudette McLinn.

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A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas

One of the pleasures of being a Latina born in the United States is that I grew up with Mexican holiday traditions as well as singing the Christmas carols popular in the United States. Some years back I began to wonder: what if I took the popular English carol and used images and ideas from Latino culture? I hope you enjoy singing this new version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Pat

Activities for A Piñata in a Pine Tree

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The Gift of the Poinsettia/El regalo de la flor de nochebuena

Perhaps because I grew up in El Paso on the U.S. Mexican border, I have always been interested in cultural traditions. This bilingual book set in Mexico describes las posadas, a Mexican, Catholic Christmas tradition. We also see how a gift need not be expensive to be special.

Pat

Activities for The Gift of the Poinsettia/El regalo de la flor de nochebuena.

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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12

Our Lady is a symbol of Mexican independence and pride, and people from diverse backgrounds are drawn to this image and story that are so central to the history and culture of Mexico and Mexican-Americans. I hope you’ll enjoy sharing this story with your family in English, Spanish or both!

The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish edition, La hermosa Señora: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.)

Pat

Activities for The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  

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Gracias~Thanks: So Many Things To Be Thankful For

I’m not sure when I began to think about a book on gratitude. I began with this idea about a boy being grateful for the little things in his day: a ladybug, his abuelita, his little brother. What are you thankful for? I hope your family and friends enjoy chatting about the large and small pleasures in your lives. Keep growing the circle of giving thanks.

Pat

Activities for Gracias~Thanks.

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Gracias~Thanks: So Many Things to Be Thankful For

I’m not sure when I began to think about a book on gratitude. I began with this idea about a boy being grateful for the little things in his day: a ladybug, his abuelita, his little brother. What are you thankful for? I hope your family and friends enjoy chatting about the large and small pleasures in your lives. Keep growing the circle of giving thanks.

Pat

Activities for Gracias~Thanks.

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Wishing You Joyful Holidays

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Yum! A Delicious Thanksgiving

Peanuts, blueberries, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more–here is a luscious collection of haiku celebrating foods native to the Americas. Brimming with imagination and fun, these poems capture the tasty essence of foods that have delighted, united, and enriched our lives for centuries. Exuberant illustrations bring to life the delicious spirit of the haiku, making Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America’s Sproutings an eye-popping, mouth-watering treat. Open it and dig in this Thanksgiving!

Activities...