Pat Mora

Children’s Day, Book Day, in Spanish, El día de los niños, el día de los libros, is a year-long commitment to celebrating all our children and to motivating them and their families to be readers, essential in our democracy.

Often known as Día, meaning day for our daily commitment, this literacy initiative is a collaboration of national and state library and literacy organizations, educators, presses and readers creatively striving to share bookjoy and its importance. Culminating April Children’s Day, Book Day celebrations that unite communities, April book fiestas, are held in libraries, schools, homes, parks, etc., often on or near April 30th. DIA is also used to mean Diversity In Action.

In 1996, I learned about the Mexican tradition of celebrating April 30th as El día del niño, the day of the child. I thought, “We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We need kids’ day too, but I want to connect all children with bookjoy, the pleasure of reading.” I was enthusiastically assisted to start this family literacy initiative by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has also been an active partner. Another enthusiastic national partner is First Book, who serve as judges for the Estela and Raúl Mora Award.

What is Children’s Day Book Day? printable pdf.

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Let’s share bookjoy!
Pat