The Children’s Hour: Book Readings by Latino Authors

Pan American Bank in East Los Angeles, www.PanAmericanBank.us  announced that it will host a nine week-long children’s program that will feature prominent Latino children’s book authors.  The reading program called The Children’s Reading Hour, will take place on Saturdays beginning September 11, 2010.  The Children’s Reading Hour is a joint effort between Pan American Bank and actor Edward James Olmos’ Latino Literacy Now! nonprofit organization and its Latino Book & Family Festival.  The first 10 children to show up each Saturday will receive an autographed book.

“We are thrilled that the authors will join us in supporting our community’s youth.  Reading to children is the best way to encourage literacy and life-long learning.  It is also an incredible way to teach important lessons,” said Pan American Bank CEO Jesse Torres.  “These Latino authors are not only incredible Latino writers – they are incredible authors, period!”


WHAT: The Children’s Reading Hour/ Free admission.

WHEN: Each Saturday from September 11, 2010 through November 6, 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
 
The Children’s Reading Hour Schedule:

Saturday, September 11, 2010 – Ramona Moreno Winner (Preschool – 6th Grade)
Saturday, September 18, 2010 – David Bueno-Hill (7th – 12th Grade)
Saturday, September 25, 2010 – Amada Irma Perez (Preschool – 6th Grade)
Saturday, October 2, 2010 – Joe Cepeda (Preschool – 6th Grade)
Saturday, October 9, 2010 – NO READING EVENT
Saturday, October 16, 2010 – Rene Colato Lainez (Preschool – 6th Grade)
Saturday, October 23, 2010 – Reyna Grande (7th – 12th Grade)
Saturday, October 30, 2010 – Jamie Martinez-Wood (7th – 12th Grade)
Saturday, November 6, 2010 – Laura Lacamara (Preschool – 6th Grade)


The Latino Book & Family Festival was launched in 1997 in Los Angeles to promote literacy, culture and education and to provide people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the multicultural communities in the United States in a festival atmosphere.  Today, the Latino Book & Family Festival is hosted in several major Latino markets across the U.S. including Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.  Future expansion plans will take the Festival to New York City, Miami, the San Francisco Bay Area and many other major Latino markets.  Edward James Olmos, actor and community activist, is the co-producer of Latino Book & Family Festival.

Established in 1964, Pan American Bank (www.PanAmericanBank.us) is California’s oldest Latino-owned bank. Headquartered in East Los Angeles, Pan American Bank serves the needs of the Latino communities in Los Angeles and Santa Ana.  Founded by former U.S. Treasurer Romana Acosta Banuelos, the Bank has stayed true to its mission of transforming and empowering Latino communities through banking relationships built on trust, service, respect, communication, and guidance. Pan American Bank's Facebook page can be found at http://bit.ly/pab-facebook.  The Bank’s blog is found at http://PanAmericanBank.blogspot.com. Pan American Bank can be followed on Twitter as @PanAmericanBank.

September 11

Meet Author Ramona Moreno Winner

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

 Ramona Moreno Winner is an award winning author and publisher of bilingual books for children with multicultural themes.  She entered the publishing industry in 1996 girded with lots of tenacity as well as skills in writing, public relations and marketing.  Through trial and error, she has built a successful, small publishing company whose goal is to empower children and expand their knowledge of other cultures.
A member of the local Toast Masters Club, Ramona is a dynamic speaker and has traveled to different states presenting to children, teachers, librarians and parent groups.  Her bilingual delivery allows a wider audience to enjoy her stories and learn her precious lessons.  Ramona’s award winning titles include the following:

 The Wooden Bowl – El bol de Madera, a retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale #78.  Diego teaches his parents a lesson on how to treat his aging grandfather; the way the parents treat the grandfather now, is how Diego will be treating them when they become elderly and in need of care.  This story carries a message for all generations.  2010 National Parenting Publications Honor Award Winner, 2010 International Book Awards – Award Winning Finalist in two categories:  Parenting/Family and Children’s Picture Books, and 2010 International Latino Book Award.

 Lucas and His Loco Beans, a bilingual tale of Mexican Jumping Beans.  Children from all walks of life, all races, all religions, will enjoy this unique window into the world of a Hispanic grandfather and his grandson.  The passing down of a simple treasure (the pleasure of playing with Mexican Jumping Beans) will make your heart sing as the grandfather shares this special gift.  The story is in English and Spanish making this a book available for wider distribution.  2003 IPPY Award and 2003 Latino Book Award Winner!

Freaky Foods From Around the World – Platillos Sorprendentes de Todo el Mundo – An all-time favorite and the winner of the 2005 National Parenting Publications Gold Award and 2006 International Latino Book Award, is about a grandmother who cooks lunch for her grandson’s school friends.  The menu is all but common.  The children learn about foods from other countries.  They learn a great lesson on tolerance and learn the value of trying new things.

It’s Okay To Be Different! ¡Esta Bien Ser Diferente!  Is a wonderful book that allows children to compare without criticism?  Children learn the many differences they will find from one individual to the next.  The fact that we eat and taste things in a manner unique to each person, that we smell things in our own unique way, and that we look different are all addressed in this book.  Ramona encourages children to celebrate the differences in themselves and others by reminding them that it is Okay To Be Different!  This book received a great review by Archbishop Desmund Tutu and sales at the United Nations Books Shop have been steady for several years.

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Benefit for Talleres de Poesía: 

Readings and Activities for Children

Time: September 12 · 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location: 
Un Solo Sol Kitchen
1818 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 269-8680

This is a benefit for the First Festival of Children's Poetry in El Salvador (November 2010) 

Family event! There will children's book authors, storytellers, lotería games, music, raffles, and more surprises.

2 - 4 pm: Featuring invited writers: Francisco X. Alarcón, René Colato Lainez, José Lozano, Mara Price, Laura Lacámara, Christy Ramírez, and Roberto Leni. They will sign books!

Please come and support this community event for a very worthy cause.

This event is co-sponsored by Talleres de Poesía, Brooklyn & Boyle Magazine, Corazón del Pueblo, and Un Solo Sol Kitchen.