In Defense of Books

I need to get something off my chest.

Yesterday the American Library Association presented their 2012 Youth Media Award winners. These awards honor children’s and young adult authors, illustrators and producers of children’s audio and video materials. These awards include: the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, John Newbery Medal, Michael Printz Award, Randolph Caldecott Medal, Schneider Family Book Awards and 13 other distinguished awards for youth literature.

These awards are recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent and serve as a guide for parents, educators, librarians and those interested in providing youth with the very best reading and viewing materials.

I wasn’t able to watch the live feed, so I went to my computer to search for the winners, and after some diligent searching, was only able to  find the list on a few sites.

Why aren’t we shouting this from the rooftops?

I find it sad that my browser offered me posts on “6 Delightful Island Escapes” and “Easy Delicious Dinner Recipes,” but they could not list the top children’s books?  I am more likely to buy the children’s books than go on the delightful island escape and I’d love to know which books are the best before I buy them.

The truth is, I know many people are probably more interested in the other posts and that makes me very sad.

Me, I’ll take the books.

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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How To Celebrate El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros Sidewalk Style

This past weekend I was invited to share my book at an El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), at a local library here in San Diego. This event, also known as Día, is promoted by the American Library Association as a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates every year on April 30. The purpose of the celebration is to emphasize the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Here is a little more history of the day from the ALA site:

Día is an  enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925.   Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children.   In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to found El día de los niños/El día de los libros.

You will find more of the history and some great tips to celebrate “Dia” on Pat Mora’s site.

For my “Dia” presentation I decided to play up the party theme. I made “Papel Picado” banners and shared the history of the banners dating back to the Aztecs. We discussed how they are similar and different from the paper streamers we use here in the United States. I also made my own version to give out to the children. Here are the instructions to make your own.

Not one of my somberos

I also discussed party hats and I made a few paper sombreros to give out to the kids. The hats were a huge hit and it was great fun to see them wearing them as I made my presentation. Here are the instructions to make your own paper sombreros.

I shared my presention with author Mara Price who shared her book “Grandma’s Chocolate” and discussed the history of making of chocolate.

I read my own book “Grandma’s Pear Tree” with a little help from the audience and ended my presentation reading “Book Fiesta” by Pat Mora.

I was honored that the La Mesa Library included me in their “Dia” celebration. If you are looking for more tips to celebrate Dia be sure to check out the ALA site or Facebook or Twitter for daily tips.

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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