Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos: National Latino Children's Literature Conference


Image © 2009, Rafael López, Book Fiesta.

For more details visit www.latinochildlitconf.org



Conference Description

This April 23rd and 24th celebrate the rich traditions and diversity within the Latino cultures at the National Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature Conference. Discover how to meet the informational and literacy needs of Latino children via high quality, culturally-relevant literature and the latest educational strategies. Engage in unique networking opportunities with librarians, teachers, educators, and researchers from across the nation as we explore how to make intercultural connections and serve this rapidly growing, uniquely diverse population.

As the number of Latino children and their families continues to increase, so does the need for understanding these diverse cultures. This exclusive conference provides a forum for sharing current research and practice addressing the cultural, educational, and informational needs of Latino children and their families. At the same time, the conference also examines the many social influences that Latino children’s literature has upon the developing child.

Beginning Friday April 23rd at 1 p.m. on the historical University of Alabama campus, nationally-recognized Latino children’s literature expert Oralia Garza de Cortés will launch the recurring conference theme “Connecting Cultures and Celebrating Cuentos” with a powerful keynote address. Participants will then have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions related to Latino children’s and young adult literature, library services to Latinos, and literacy education for Latino children. Immediately following these small group sessions, award-winning Latina author Monica Brown and award-winning Latino artist Rafael López will discuss the collaborative synergy behind their work.

Friday evening, award-winning Latina author and storyteller Carmen Tafolla will celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), Latino children’s literature, and cultural literacy with a free community event at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. This Noche de Cuentos (Evening of Stories) begins at 7 p.m. and includes storytelling, refreshments, and free books for the niños.

On Saturday April 24th, Dr. Monica Brown energizes participants and opens the day’s events with a keynote address at Mary Hewell Alston Hall. Breakout sessions for both practitioners and researchers as well as graduate and undergraduate students will follow and include a variety of topics related to Latino children’s literature and literacy. Research posters will also be on display throughout the conference.

Lunch will be served at the Ferguson Center and will be followed by an engaging keynote at Mary Hewell Alston Hall with award-winning artist and illustrator Rafael López. Afterwards breakout sessions will include topics related to education, literacy, storytelling, and library services for Latino children. Storyteller and award-winning author Dr. Carmen Tafolla will bring down the house with a grand finale performance followed by a book signing with conference authors. Attendees will have additional opportunities to talk with first-time, Latina children's literature authors: Jennifer Cervantes, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall.

By attending the Connecting Cultures & Celebrating Cuentos Conference, you have the chance to meet award-winning Latino authors and illustrators, participate in exciting break-out sessions, engage in exclusive networking opportunities, and celebrate cultural literacy in a Día community event. Come deepen your understanding of the Latino cultures and celebrate their rich diversity within our classrooms and libraries. See you in April!

For more details visit www.latinochildlitconf.org



My Shoes and I Virtual Book Tour




BronzeWord Latino Virtual Book Tour presents

MY SHOES AND I Book Vitual Book Tour

Prizes Each day during the Book Tour
As you visit each blog on the tour, leave a comment or question for the author and be eligible to win an autographed copy of My Shoes and I. Make sure you check back the following day to see if you won and for directions on how to receive your prize.


March 08 http://www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books
March 09 http://loricalabrese.com/blog/
March 10 http://www.christinarodriguez.com/
March 11 http://www.mamalatinatips.com/
March 12 http://www.latinbabybookclub.com/

March 15 http://www.tinanicholscouryblog.com/
March 16 http://www.labloga.blogspot.com/
March 17 http://www.caridad.com/blog/
March 18 http://sandrasbookclub.blogspot.com/
March 19 http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/


REVIEWS:

School Library Journal

LAÍNEZ, René Colato. My Shoes and I. illus. by Fabricio Vanden Broeck. unpaged. Boyds Mills. 2010. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-385-6.

K-Gr 3—In this story of an arduous journey, Mario and his father leave their home and friends in El Salvador for a reunion in the United States with Mamá. The child is sad to go, but his mother has sent a pair of new shoes that "will take me anywhere." Along the way, they face many obstacles: a pack of hungry dogs steals their food in Guatemala City and Papa loses his wallet at the bus terminal in Mexico City. They cross deserts, mountains, and rivers—and three borders. Mario's shoes become soiled, torn, and water-logged, but with each setback, he croons a lullaby: "Sana, sana, colita de rana" and reassures himself that everything will be okay. On the banks of the final river, Mario summons his resolve: "I become a horse. My shoes will ride on me. They are on my shoulder. "'Don't worry, shoes, we will cross the finish line,' I say to them." This inspiring tale soars with real emotions, even as it celebrates the resiliency of children. Vanden Broeck's color-drenched illustrations on weathered backgrounds add immediacy and detail. This moving, heartfelt tale of courage and perseverance will be embraced by a wide audience of readers, young and old.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

1 comment:

Daniel A. Olivas said...

Rene, this is a beautifully written book. Onward!