What a joyful experience, unpacking boxes of our family children's books. Out came years of favorites that my grown children listened to years ago and then read to themselves: Mother Goose and Grimm's Fairy Tales, of course, and books by Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry, and Beatrix Potter. In my hands, I held our much-loved friends: Francis, Max, Frog and Toad, Little Bear, Amelia Bedelia, Ferdinand, Stuart Little. I hadn't expected the unpacking to be such an emotional experience. Holding the books, I remembered the pleasure of reading them with my little ones and watching their delight and their growing attachment to the pleasure of books, to bookjoy.

As a mom, reading and re-reading those books lured me to picture books too. I decided to try writing them, submitted manuscripts, received rejections. For a time, I set this idea aside and eventually began writing poetry for adults. In the late eighties, I returned to writing children's books and on a sparkling day, I received a letter from a young assistant editor at Knopf expressing interest in Tomás and the Library Lady.

I feel extremely fortunate to write for both children and adults and will continue that rhythm in 2008. I'm excited about the publication of LET'S EAT! ¡A COMER!, the first book in a new series, MY FAMILY * MI FAMILIA, four easy-read bilingual books.

As readers we know bookjoy. Let's share it. I hope you're exploring how to be part of Día in your community and planning how to help link all our children to books, languages and cultures. Our daily commitment culminates in April 30th Día celebrations all over the country.

Thanks so much for visiting my home on the web. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Pat Mora
Photo by Cheron Bayna

Pat is a popular national speaker at conferences, campuses, schools and libraries. She also gives readings from her work. Since she enjoys working with groups and is a firm believer in the creativity of teachers, librarians, and parents, she offers workshops on Sharing Bookjoy: Creative Literacy Leaders and Nurturing Creativity: Seven Practices for Educators and Students. Contact information.

Pat's Speaking and
Appearance Schedule