Pat Mora's Blog, page 44

Today is World Teachers’ Day

In honor of World Teachers’ Day, a thoughtful question from ZING! Seven Creativity Practices for Educators & Students:

“If we believe our national rhetoric, and if we believe in the power of education, how can we settle for anything less than truly equal educational opportunity for all, which includes affirming each student’s creative potential?”

The post Today is World Teachers’ Day appeared first on Pat Mora.

October 4 is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi

2015 is the 10th anniversary of the publication of The Song of Francis and the Animals, written by Pat and wonderfully illustrated with woodcuts by David Frampton.

Illustration by David Frampton from The Song of Francis and the Animals.

The post October 4 is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi appeared first on Pat Mora.

October Bookjoy!

The post October Bookjoy! appeared first on Pat Mora.

Possibilities in Broward County

I left Broward County excited about promoting the concept of having the public library, school district and area university or college ed/literacy programs in a county or community work together on early literacy. Very exciting possibilities, and they were embedding Día into their work of sharing bookjoy with children and families.

Broward Reads to Succeed: Early Literacy Conference
Broward Reads to Succeed: Family Engagement Night

The post Possibilities in Broward County appeared first on Pa...

Interview with Angela N. Hubbard, ALSC Program Officer

It’s a pleasure to introduce Angela Hubbard, the new ALSC program officer who is promoting and strengthening Día. Her wonderful smile and enthusiastic answers are new Día assets.

1. How does it feel to be coordinating ALSC’s 20th Anniversary Día initiative?
I am very excited to have the opportunity to coordinate Día activities for the Association for Library Service to Children this year. I firmly believe that it is important for children and their families to have access to books and other...

Celebrate ALL citizens on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”

Illustration from I Pledge Allegiance
by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez.
Click to see larger image.

The post Celebrate ALL citizens on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day appeared first on Pat Mora.

This Big Sky indeed

This Big Sky, written by Pat and illustrated by Steve Jenkins, is now available as an e-book in English, German and Spanish!

The post This Big Sky indeed appeared first on Pat Mora.

An honor for Dr. Vicki Ruiz

Warm congratulations to my friend, historian Dr. Vicki Ruiz, who received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama on Sept. 10. Bravo, Vicki!

The post An honor for Dr. Vicki Ruiz appeared first on Pat Mora.

Celebrate National Grandparents’ Day

September 13 is National Grandparents Day! Why not share a special story with yours?

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 a bakery not just because she likes the sweets, but also because she loves he...

Creativity Salon: an interview with David Bell

Welcome to my Bookjoy Creativity Salon, David. I haven’t met David in person although I am deeply grateful to this composer who lives in CO. He graciously set some of my poems to music, poems from my sixth book of poetry for adults, Adobe Odes.

1. How did your interest in music begin?
I don’t remember that my interest in music ever began, it just always seemed to be there. As a kid I would make up little songs on the piano and sing in choir, and later in grade school I played the trumpet. But...