Pat Mora's Blog, page 3

Sharing: A Holiday Poem

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Two Christmas Picture Books to Share

"In trading a partridge for a piñata and intertwining English and Spanish, Mora has created not only a fun adaptation of a classic Christmas carol but also an introduction to many elements of holiday celebrations for families across the U.S. and Latin America … The illustrator is the sister of Belpré Award-winning illustrator Yuyi Morales, and these acrylic paintings share a similar colorful and vibrant style as they integrate words, numbers, Spanish pronunciations, joy, and excitement througho...

Celebrate a New Book from Father Murray Bodo, OFM

I met Father Murray years ago in Cincinnati thanks to the poet Denise Levertov. We took a poetry workshop together and then started a small poetry group that met monthly to share a new poem and enjoy ice-cream. I think we all helped one another become better poets.

A prolific writer of poetry and prose, Murray taught at Thomas More College. He produced audio books, CD’s, DVD’s and also led retreats in Umbria, Italy for over thirty years. His newest book is Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebrati...

Creativity Salon: an Interview with Author and Publisher Janet Wong

Were you a reader as a child, and if so, what kind of books did you enjoy?
I’m embarrassed to say it, but I was not a reader as a child. I wrote about this briefly in my “Meet the Author” book Before It Wriggles Away. Recently someone pressed me to give a title that I read more than once as a young child, and I replied with The Story of Bubbles the Whale. I loved it because I had been to Marineland and had seen Bubbles with my own eyes. I had even been splashed by Bubbles!

Do you speak more th...

Two Picture Books to Share for Thanksgiving

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:

“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...

A Classroom Idea for Celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month

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

Each 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 an...

The Remembering Day/El día de los muertos

[image error]In the bilingual picture book The Remembering Day/El día de los muertos, Pat created an origin myth in which she imagined how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones came to be. Day of the Dead (El día de los muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere.

Hopefully homes, libraries and schools can use this book to introduce this custom to children and suggest creating an opportun...

National Day on Writing: #WhyIWrite

Every year on October 20, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) celebrates the importance, joy, and evolution of writing. Find ideas and more on NCTE’s website.

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October is National Reading Group Month

The 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:

In what ways is House of Houses like and unlike other memoirs you’ve read?Why do you think memoirs have become such a popular genre?Name the person you connect...

September 2021: A Letter from Pat to Children

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? ...