A Charmed Life / Una vida con suerte

Written by Gladys E. Barbieri

Illustrated by Lisa Fields




•             Hardcover: 32 pages
•             Publisher: Pinata Books; Bilingual edition (May 30, 2016)
•             Language: English
•             ISBN-10: 155885827X
•             ISBN-13: 978-1558858275

Felicia always feels very small when she and her mom walk by the huge homes and beautiful gardens to the house where her mother works as a cleaning lady. "I need you to behave," her mother says, reminding her of all the things she should and shouldn't do.

But Felicia gets bored, and in spite of her mother's warnings, begins to explore. She finds a bedroom full of toys. How she wished that her house looked like this! From a window she sees an inviting swing set in the back yard, and soon she's breaking all of her mother's rules.

When Mrs. Fitzpatrick comes outside, Felicia can't help but wonder if the woman knows she was roaming through the house. To her surprise, the red-headed woman offers her lemonade and cookies instead of a scolding. Soon the two realize that even though they live in different worlds they have something in common. This bilingual picture book will lend itself to conversations about hopes and dreams and the differences among people.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day

By Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri

In an effort to promote, educate and bring light the many multicultural and diverse picture books that have been written, Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) was created.  Founded by play and reading advocates, Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, they teamed up to create an ambitious and necessary national event to celebrate these books. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.

MCCBD will be celebrated on January 27^th, 2016, where teachers, parents, librarians, picture book bloggers and children’s authors will participate. This year, the Classroom Reading Challenge will be incorporated and they are asking for teachers, librarians and parents to read up to four multicultural picture books during the month of January.  I encourage schools, teachers and librarians to participate. It is a fun way to get kids to learn about the diversity in our world, near and far, as well as an opportunity to read rich and quality picture books that are too often not celebrated nor recognized. 

For more information please visit: 

http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/our-programs/mccbd-2016-classroom-reading-challenge/

Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri is a 1st grade teacher & award winning author of bilingual picture books RUBBER SHOES, a lesson in gratitude & PINK FIRE TRUCKS.

REFORMA National Conference 2015: A peek into the library services for Latinos & Spanish speaking

By Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri

REFORMA is the National Association of Librarians to promote library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish speaking. It is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA). They develop library collections to include Spanish language, bilingual and bicultural books as well as other materials to meet the needs of the Latino community. REFORMA’S fifth national conference (April 1-4) was held in San Diego at the Omni Hotel. The theme was “Libraries Without Borders: Creating our future / Bibliotecas sin fronteras: creando nuestro futuro”. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to speak on an author panel: Insights from Award Winning Children’s & Young Adult Book Authors. I was joined by Marie Elena Cortes, René Colato Laínez and the moderator, Maritere Rodriguez Bellas. We discussed bilingual books and bilingual education trends, writing tips to stay inspired, illustrations and the many writing processes used to make a picture book. An audience member shared she lays out visual images on the floor when she writes. It took me a while to figure out who she was and then I realized, “Oh my stars – it’s Mara Price, the author of Grandma’s Chocolate!” It took all of me not to run and hug her. I was also super excited to spend some time with one of my favorite children’s author, René Colato Laínez. I teased him I was a groupie because his book, Señor Pancho Had a Rancho, is our current “class book/class pet”. But more on that later…

Reforma 2015: Author Panel

After the author panel, I went to the book exhibit hall and perused the myriad of books for adults and children. Books are my dear friends and I felt so giddy to be in their company.  I got to chat with librarians from Oakland, Portland, Santa Barbara and Texas. After sharing a few laughs with a lively librarian from Ponderosa Library (shout out to Ponderosa!), I even thought to myself, “I think I might really like being a librarian.” It was clear by their enthusiasm that they truly love being librarians and the service they provide their communities.  The REFORMA conference was pretty big and while I didn’t get the opportunity to attend the entire conference, the little bit I did see was impressive.

Later that Friday evening I walked around San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.  It was a delight to stroll and take in the beauty of the buildings, restaurants, shops and Petco Park.  After my stroll, I made my way to the San Diego Central Library to attend the event, Noche de Cuentos.

Firstly, let me say that this library is stunning. I couldn’t get over the views, the size and grandeur of it. Since the event was on the 9th floor, I felt as if I were flying over the city.

San Diego Central Library – 9th floor

I found a spot next to this window and enjoyed the warmth and camaraderie of the group.  The beats of Danza Mexi’cayotl were palpable. This scene reminded me of my college days long ago, as I learned with earnest about my Latino and Indigenous roots through literature, oral story telling and dance.

I would also like to highlight REFORMA’S International Book Share: Children in crisis project and Baja California libraries. Please consider donating new or gently used books or money to help refugee children. Books provide much healing, insight and companionship. Books also provide hope and we could all benefit from a bit of hope for a better tomorrow. For more information please visit: http://refugeechildren.wix.com/refugee-children#!about_us/csgz

Lastly, as I saw the many librarians carefully looking at books, I thought of Mrs. Maria Fernandez, Felton School’s librarian. We’re lucky to have her. Librarians are the gatekeepers of books and hope, because it is through their work that our children and communities continue to thrive.

I’m of a fearsome mind to throw my arms around every living librarian who crosses my path, on behalf of the souls they never knew they saved.

– Barbara Kingsolver  

The LA Latino Book & Family Festival – Great Books, Humble Souls

By Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri

          

Victor Villaseñor getting read to sign his books.

The Los Angeles Latino Book and Family Festival took place last Saturday, 11-01-14, at East Los Angeles College. Even though the weather was chilly by LA standards, many came to check out this fantastic cultural and family event.  I was excited to partake in a Q&A session with noteworthy children’s authors, René Colato Laínez and James Luna, as well as other indie authors like myself.

René Colato Laínez shared he was celebrating ten successful years as a published children’s author. I’ve read many of his picture books and I use them often in my classroom. I even bought a copy of his latest, Señor Pancho Had a Rancho, a fun twist on Old McDonald Had A Farm with a Latino flair.

               Books Written by René Colato Laínez

James Luna has written two picture books and both have been well received.  The Runaway Piggy also received the Tejas Star Book Award – Wow!  The coolest thing about meeting these two successful children’s authors is that they are both teachers and have over 20 years of teaching experience. Imagine how amazing it must be to be a student in their classrooms. I would love to be a fly on the wall to see how they motivate their students during Writer’s Workshop.

After the Q & A I got to sell and sign alongside these two gentlemen.  The author sitting to the left of me, Juan Villegas, shared that he couldn’t believe he was sitting next to the Victor Villaseñor, a Mexican-American writer, best known for the New York Times bestseller novel Rain of Gold. I giggled because I understood what he meant. Juan and I looked at the super long line of fans waiting to meet and have their book signed by Victor Villaseñor because we were more than happy to sell a few books.  And in just one hour Victor Villaseñor sold out boxes and boxes of books. I then discreetly pointed to René and James who were sitting to the right of me and said, “I hear you. Those two are the real deal in Latino Children’s Publishing.”

            Malín Alegría, James Luna, René Colato Laínez

I also had the pleasure of meeting Malín Alegría, an established Latina YA author who’s written a bunch of books as well – like the Border Town series.  And while we newbies sat amidst these established and recognized authors, I noticed how humble and unassuming they all were. They didn’t once mention any of the accolades their books had received. They didn’t bring an entourage or display a lavish signing area. It was just them, their books and a pen for signing. But what they did bring to the book festival was an ernest desire to encourage others about the power of telling one’s own story, of writing it and sharing it.

Pink Fire Trucks / Los Camiones de Bomberos de Color Rosado

Written by Gladys Elizabeth Barbiery

Illustrated by Lina Safar

Girls can be firefighters too!

Spirited Gladys Elizabeth is at it again. It’s CAREER DAY at school and Gladys Elizabeth boldly announces that she is going to be a firegirl. After a classmate tells her that girls can’t fight fires, Gladys Elizabeth proves that she can be whatever she wants to be!

For more information visit www.chuchosbooks.com

Book Trailer

Interview with the author