The Children’s Hour: Book Reading Hour

Meet Author Amada Irma Pérez

The first 10 children to show up each Saturday
will receive an autographed book.

WHEN: Saturday September 25, 2010  at 12:00 pm

WHERE: Pan American Bank
3626 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90063

WHO: Pan American Bank, Edward James Olmos’ Latino Literacy Now! Latino Book & Family Festival.

Amada Irma Pérez has been a bilingual educator, consultant and presenter for more than twenty-five years.  Her teaching experience includes kindergarten through university.  She is an advocate of programs that encourage literacy and multicultural understanding.  She believes that better communication will lead to world peace.  Amada Irma Pérez speaks at local, state, national and international conferences and inspires diverse audiences of students, teachers, parents, businesses and community organizations.

Amada's Bilingual Books

Nana's move from Mexico should be a joyous occasion. But this summer Nana is coming to California because Tata, beloved husband and abuelo, has died. Amada and her five brothers hope to cheer her up with a surprise—a coop full of fluffy yellow chicks, just like the ones Nana raised with Tata in Mexico. But no matter how hard everyone tries to make Nana feel better, it seems like nothing can bring a smile to her face. That is, until one day the chicks reveal a surprise of their own.

Award-winning author Amada Irma Pérez gently explores universal themes of family, love, loss, and memory in this third collaboration with artist Maya Christina Gonzalez, whose bold and beautiful collage paintings leap from the page. Nana's Big Surprise offers comfort, feathers, and even laughter to readers of all ages.

One night, young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to the other side—to Los Angeles, where greater opportunity awaits. As she and her family make their journey north, Amada records her fears, hopes, and dreams for their lives in the United States in her diary. How can she leave her best friend behind? What if she can't learn English? What if her family never returns to Mexico?
From Juárez to Mexicali to Tijuana to Los Angeles, Amada learns that with her family's love and her belief in herself, she can make any journey and weather any change—here, there, anywhere.

Five little brothers, two parents, and a house full of visiting relatives make Amada feel crowded. She loves her family, but how can she get a little space of her own? Her loving and understanding family works together to turn a small storage space into her very own room. This delightful memoir of a childhood in El Monte, California, pours from the pen of award-winning author and former bilingual teacher Amada Irma Pérez with exuberance and skill. Artist Maya Christina Gonzalez brings the captivating scenes to life with bold colors and whimsical details.

You are invited!

Children’s Book Press 35th Anniversary Celebration
San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin St (at Grove), San Francisco, CA

Sunday, September 26th, 2:00-4:00 pm

RSVP on Facebook or email publicity@childrensbookpress.org

A free family event with author readings, book signings, raffles, and a musical performance by the popular youth salsa band, Futuro Picante.
Anniversary festivities kick off with a free family-oriented public event at the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library on September 26th. Children’s Book Press will celebrate its dynamic community of authors, artists, supporters, partners, and the many friends who have been part of a long and nationally renowned publishing history. With music provided by the 14-piece youth salsa band, Futuro Picante, this event will also highlight two new books published this year, with readings by René Colato Laínez, author of From North to South / Del Norte al Sur  and Angela Domínguez, illustrator of Let Me Help! /¡Quiero ayudar! Light refreshments will be served.