Pat Mora's Blog, page 62

Thanking Our Educators

Autumn in Northern New Mexico.

Autumn is my favorite season in New Mexico. Under an unbelievable blue sky, the world turns golden with aspens, cottonwoods, and chamisas. I was mighty taken with the bright red in this photo though. The ristras, red chiles strung for drying–and now often for decoration, juxtaposed with the American flag said so much visually and culturally. The scene, of course, made me think of the upcoming book, I Pledge Allegiance, that will be out in April written with my ol...

Hoy es/Today is

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Update on the 2013 Estela & Raúl Mora Award

During Hispanic Heritage Month, REFORMA (The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking) will announce the winner of the 2013 Mora Award and three Honor Awards. The REFORMA committee composed of five library professionals from across the country read thirteen applications from eleven libraries, an elementary school, and a university. It’s inspiring and exciting to read these applications. I wish to express my deep thanks to the hard-wo...

Celebrate Children’s Art During Hispanic Heritage Month

Share Bookjoy: Share Art! Parents and caregivers, teachers, librarians, literacy advocates, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate art by our children. Post a photo of a child’s art based on a book by Pat Mora on her Facebook Page, and we’ll add art work to an album “Children’s Art for Hispanic Heritage Month 2013”. Art can be any medium: crayons, markers, paint, clay, collage. Let’s see it all! Entries are eligible for a book raffle of a signed copy of one of Pat’s books. Ten w...

Hispanic Heritage Month/Mes de la Herencia Hispana: September 15 – October 15

This helpful link is a snapshot of reality. Thanks to each of you who in your daily work and life articulates the contributions, affirms the value, and addresses the needs of our growing Latino population. Reading books, both for kids and adults, about Latino culture, talking about family heritage and learning more about our world’s diverse cultures are wonderful ways to convey the spirit of this month.

See more about Pat’s books for kids, teens, and adults.

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United on September 8th

For over 40 years, UNESCO has celebrated International Literacy Day. (This year, IRA will celebrate on the 9th.) Those of us blessed with literacy skills, books and bookjoy can each in some way join the struggles to promote and provide literacy (and peace) around our world. The uniters among us need to unite more.

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Seamus Heaney

Like many, I was and am sad that Irish poet Seamus Heaney died on August 30. I’m re-reading his poems, savoring again his attention to nature, his Irish pride and his deep humanity. Here’s a wonderful article about his work and his life. I love the last lines, a quote from an interview in which he said, “poetry tries to help you to be a truer, purer, wholer being.”

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A Salute to Educators

All over the country, students and teachers are beginning a new academic year, all hoping it will be a good year. Enthusiastic applause for all the creative and dedicated educators at all levels who invest their energies in exciting their students to explore new ideas and learn new skills.

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Petition for Ratification of UN Rights of the Child Needs Signatures

Join us in guaranteeing and protecting the rights of children globally. The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) has a petition underway to gather signatures encouraging the U.S. Senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The U.S., Somalia, and the South Sudan are the only members of the United Nations who have not ratified the document. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by September 20, more than 4000 per day to reach its goal!

It takes just a minute t...

Learn from Adriana Dominguez

I remember the first time I met my friend Adriana thanks to HarperCollins. I’m seldom in New York, but we met there at a restaurant. In walked beautiful Adriana who is totally bilingual. I’m bilingual, but English dominant. We share the values she articulates so clearly in this interview about her life in publishing. Adriana was the editor who championed the publication of a book about Día, and she remains a committed Día supporter. She now often translates my children’s books, a delight for...