Pat Mora's Blog, page 21

Enacting Adolescent Literacies Across Communities

Congratulations to my dear friend, Dr. R. Joseph Rodríquez, for his challenging ENACTING ADOLESCENT LITERACIES ACROSS COMMUNITIES: LATINO/A SCRIBES AND THEIR RITES. Joseph is both a complex thinker and a welcoming partner when he writes, “While working with the next generation of educators, thinkers, and researchers, we must remain hopeful and work toward the common good that can fuel socially responsible literacies and scribes.”

Pat

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Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15

Every month of the year is a good month to celebrate all our children and to connect them and their families to bookjoy. I feel very fortunate to be bilingual and to be of Mexican descent. I enjoy having some of my children’s books published in Spanish and some in bilingual formats. Publishers make that decision.
I encourage all children to learn another language. Adults too ;) Our languages are part of our cultural wealth in this country.

Pat

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September 17-23: Constitution Week

Each year, on September 17, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. In addition, September 17-23 is also recognized as Constitution Week. During this time, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services encourages Americans to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

The USCIS website provides resources for educators and others, including lesson plans and activities for instructors preparing students for U.S. citizenshi...

Sign Up for a Library Card in September!

Library Card Sign-up Month is celebrated every year in September, sponsored by the American Library Association. This year, ALA is teaming up with crimefighting DC Super Heroes, the Teen Titans, and they want to know what your library superpower is! Share it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #LibrarySuperpower.

The librarian from Tomás and the Library Lady is certainly a superhero!

Illustration © Raul Colón from Tomás and the Library Lady.

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September 9: Read with Your Grandchildren for Grandparents Day

Grandparents can be an important part of encouraging children to become readers! Why not read a book with your grandchild to celebrate Grandparents Day?

Pablo’s Tree
In a heartwarming intergenerational story, Pablo cannot wait to visit his grandfather and discover what treasures will be placed on his tree, a tree that was purchased when Pablo was adopted and that, each year, is decorated with special surprises.

The Bakery Lady/La señora de la panadería
Mónica, spends her life around...

September 8: International Literacy Day

The 2017 theme for UNESCO’s International Literacy Day is “Literacy in a Digital World.” Their goal of promoting literacy as an integral part of lifelong learning aligns with Children’s Day, Book Day’s commitment of motivating children and their families to be readers.

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Good Books Are Blessings

I am trimming my library. I tease my librarian friends that wouldn’t use the term “weeding” referring to books. Trimming my books also, for me, means some re-reading. I started re-reading Black Boy by Richard Wright. I’d forgotten what a brutal memoir it is.

For my morning reflection time, a few days ago, I’d selected Guide My Feet by children’s advocate and author Marian Wright Edelman.

I had the pleasure and honor of being with her at in Knoxville in 2015 for a Children’s Defense Fund Free...

Visit Pat on Pinterest

We’ve heard from many teachers who love Pinterest and look there to find curriculum activities and other resources. Pat’s Pinterest presence is small but growing–there are now boards for four of Pat’s books:

Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube

Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

Tomás and the Library Lady

The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Please help us by adding to the boards if you have curriculum suggestions! And check back often...

A Letter to Kids: August 24, 2017

Dear Girls and Boys,

I have written you about seventeen letters through the years. I hope you enjoy reading them. This year I want to remind you that my mom, my three children and I were born in El Paso, Texas. My dad was born in Mexico. He came to El Paso with his family when he was a little boy.

I love many landscapes–oceans and beaches, forest–and deserts.

Now I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My husband and I love to look at the trees, hill, and mountains from our back deck. Below are some...

Share Bookjoy

I was honored to be included in Scholastic's Open a World of Possible (2014). I enjoyed reflecting on how I became a reader and why founding and growing Children's Day, Book Day, (in Spanish) El día de los niños, El día de los libros, nickname Día has been so important to me. Luckily, I have many wonderful partners including the American Library Association and First Book. Join us. Make sure that Día is celebrated in your community.
Pat

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