Celebrate Latino Children’s Literature, Literacy, and Libraries with Día and the National Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature

“Hooray! Today is our day. ¡El día de los niños! Let’s have fun today reading our favorite books. Toon! Toon!/¡Viva! Hoy es nuestro día. ¡El día de los niños! Nos vamos a diverter, con nuestros libros favorites. ¡Tun! ¡Tun!” (Book Fiesta, by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael López, 2009, p. 1-2). With these joyful words of encouragement children everywhere are invited to celebrate reading, cultural diversity, and above all fun with books. Día or El día de los niños/El día de los libros is a literacy celebration created by Pat Mora and REFORMA. Celebrated in public libraries and schools around the nation each year on April 30th, many Día celebrations feature Latino authors, illustrators, and Latino children’s books. Día is a wonderful opportunity to share the rich, diverse cultural heritage of Latinos with people from all cultures and allows Latinos to share cultural pride in their oral and written contributions.

While I think it is great to celebrate Latino children’s literature and literacy on Día, I suggest making every day a Día celebracíon. Librarians, teachers, educators, and parents can take the many fantastic Día literacy ideas found on Día websites and incorporate them into daily reading programs, storytimes, and individual book sharing activities. Latino book creators, such as Pat Mora and Yuyi Morales, provide craft activities and exciting suggestions on how to bring their books alive. For instance, Yuyi Morales has puppets, paper dolls, masks, and much more that encourage children to create their own book characters such as Señor Calavera from Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book and Nochecita from Nochecita/Little Night.

Allowing all children from all cultures to interact with the vibrant work of Latinos fosters intercultural connections and positive ethnic identity development. Non-Latino children learn about the rich contributions of the diverse Latino cultures via culturally accurate, authentic Latino children’s books. At the same time, Latino children have the fortunate opportunity to see reflections of their experiences, their families, and their cultures in the books they encounter in their classrooms, on library shelves, or in the hands of their familia. Such positive representations and affirmations of their heritage facilitate positive self-esteem and cultural pride among Latino children.

Perhaps parents don’t know where to find positive books about Latinos to share with their bebés. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available that suggest recommended books and literacy activities. These include blogs such as this one as well as resources such as:

1. Reading is Fundamental’s Latino Outreach Initiative’s Recommended Books: http://www.rif.org/kids/leer/en/cuarto/libros_recomendados_english.htm

2. Latino Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards Websites:

Pura Belpré Award - http://www.ala.org/alsc/belpre

Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award - http://www.education.txstate.edu/departments/Tomas-Rivera-Book-Award-Project-Link.html

Américas Award - http://www4.uwm.edu/clacs/aa/index.cfm

3. ¡Colorín Colorado! : http://www.colorincolorado.org/

4. Lee y serás (Read & You Will Be): http://www.leeyseras.net/site/main.html

5. Barahona Center for Study of Books in Spanish for Children & Adolescents: http://www.csusm.edu/csb/english/center.htm


In addition to these resources, there are numerous helpful tools for librarians and educators interested in planning storytimes and literacy programs with Latino children’s literature. Some of these include:

1. ¡Imagínense Libros!: http://imaginenselibros.blogspot.com/

2. WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program: http://www.webjunction.org/spanish

3. ¡Es divertido hablar dos idiomas! : http://www.bilingualchildrensprogramming.blogspot.com/

4. Chiles: Children and Libraries en Español: http://www.chil-es.org/home/

5. REFORMA’s Children’s & Young Adult Services Page : http://www.reforma.org/CYASC.htm

Another fantastic and unique opportunity for learning more about Latino children’s literature, literacy, and libraries is the Connecting Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos: National Latino Children’s Literature Conference which is held each spring at the University of Alabama. Scheduled for April 23-24, 2010, this conference brings together award-winning nationally recognized Latino book creators, up-and-coming Latino book artists, teachers, librarians, college students, researchers, and child-care providers to network, celebrate Latino literary achievements, and explore the many ways to bring Latino children’s literature into the lives of all children. Each year the conference also offers a FREE community program to families and their children in celebration of Día. This program provides a rare opportunity for children, particularly Latino children, to meet successful Latino children’s book authors and illustrators. These book creators provide positive role models for Latino children and reinforce cultural pride. Each child leaves the event with a tummy full of food and an autographed book in hand. Starting this year, the National Latino Children’s Literature Conference will be held every year in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies. Our outstanding Latino author/artist line-up for April 23 and 24 includes Monica Brown, Oralia Garza de Cortés, Rafael López, Carmen Tafolla, Jennifer Cervantes, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall. Registration for the conference is still open and more information is available on the conference website http://www.latinochildlitconf.org/ or by contacting the conference chair at jcnaidoo@slis.ua.edu.

Come on! ¡Viva! Hoy es nuestro día. Make time to check out the above recommended resources for book and literacy activities celebrating Latino cultures. Participate in Día celebracíons at libraries throughout the month of April and don’t forget to make everyday a Día day filled with Latino children’s literature and literacy. While you’re at it, come celebrate with us at the National Latino Children’s Literature Conference this month. Hope to see YOU there!

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Dr. Jamie Naidoo, an Endowed Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies and co-founder of the National Latino Children’s Literature Conference, teaches and researches in the areas of early childhood literacy, multicultural and international children’s literature, and diversity in librarianship. A former children’s librarian and school library media specialist, he currently specializes in public library services and programs to diverse populations of children and intercultural perspectives in children’s and young adult literature. Jamie has served on various book award committees including the Américas, Pura Belpré, and Caldecott committees.