Pat Mora's Blog, page 4

Celebrate with Tomás for Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Celebrate reading Tomás and the Library Lady at home, school or your library.

Based on the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what libraries–and education–can make possible.

Classroom resources for the book:
Find curriculum activities here.

The Family Involvement Storyb...

Alive! August 2021

In January 2019, I began these occasional posts about feeling ALIVE.

My husband Vern, who’s now a retired academic, and I maintained our quiet writing schedule through the pandemic. Family and writing probably helped me stay sane. Thanks to my dear friend Father Murray Bodo, before I go to my desk in the morning, I read for reflection. I ponder. I thank God for my many gifts—family, health, friends, books, ideas. Each of these gifts helps me feel alive. What about you? What helped you working an...

Everything a Citizen Should Be

“Lobo was everything a citizen should be–hardworking, honest, brave, respectful, responsible.”

—-from the Authors’ Note, I Pledge Allegiance, by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez

“Libby and her Great Aunt Lobo are learning the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time—but for different reasons. Lobo is practicing it in order to become a citizen of the United States. She is proud of her Mexican heritage but is also grateful to be in America. In school, Libby has been chosen to lead her class in saying ...

Summer Reading: Take Time for Poetry

Studies have shown that for kids, summer reading helps prevent loss of academic skills–but summer is also a time for reading FUN for kids, teens and adults! Consider adding these poetry collections to your summer reading lists:

For Children
Bookjoy, Wordjoy
Words and books can take us on wonderful adventures and bring us joy! This collection celebrates both and inspires creative wordplay.

For Teens

“Interlaced with Mexican phrases and cultural symbols, these powerful selections...

How a March Madness Poetry Tournament Brightened Pat’s Day

Iowa Seventh Grade Literacy Teacher Steve Vanderhei sent a message that made Pat’s day:

My name is Steve Vanderhei and I am a 7th grade literacy teacher in Marion, Iowa. This year I put together a March Madness Poetry Tournament. It was a success, although it was the first time I did something like this. I have lots of ideas of how to make it even better next year.

I wanted you to know that in my 3rd block your poem ‘Same Song’ won. The championship game was ‘Same Song’ vs. ‘Why Falling in ...

Horn Book Special Issue: The Pura Belpré Award at 25

Pat has a reminiscence in the Horn Book Magazine’s May/June 2021 issue, a special issue devoted to celebrating 25 years of The Pura Belpré Award. She joins many other Latinx authors and illustrators featured in the issues. If you don’t subscribe, you can read the issue online for free.

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. Established in 1996, the award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best port...

May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month

Our United States are composed of diverse citizens who enrich our country with diverse languages, customs, foods and art forms.

May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to continue learning.

The post May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month appeared first on Pat Mora.

Gracias!

Warm thanks to all of you who have joined us in celebrating the 25th Anniversary! of Children’s Day, Book Day (CDBD), El día de los niños, El día de los libros (Día).

I read daily for knowledge and for pleasure. Our children and young adults need to see the adults in their lives reading, and reading for pleasure.

CDBD/Día is a yearlong initiative with culminating celebrations April 30th. Our country and our world need readers.

Pat

The post Gracias! appeared first on Pat Mora.

Santa Fe Public Library Celebrates Children’s Day, Book Day

Children’s Day, Children’s Book Day
El día de los niños, El día de los libros

The Santa Fe Public Library will celebrate 25 years of Día and promote families reading together by distributing craft kits and bilingual books to Santa Fe children.

There will be 100 kits containing free books and crafts available starting Tuesday, April 27 and can be picked up during curbside pickup hours (noon-5:30 p.m.) on April 27, 28, 29, and May 1 (while supplies last).

The post Santa Fe Public Library Celebrat...

Lucky Me!

For about the last fifteen years, I’ve had the good fortune to have Bobbie Combs as my Web Manager. Woo-hoo! Bobbie and her partner, Laurina Cashin, heard me speak at a conference. Luckily for me, they introduced themselves and gave me their card. Initially, I worked primarily with Laurina who still coaches us from above.

I couldn’t effectively promote my writing for all ages and Children’s Day, Book Day without Bobbie’s talents, patience and creative ideas. Gracias! Thanks, Bobbie! You are a ...