|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Library Groups
and Publishers Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day 2008
New
List of Recommended Children’s Titles Promote Literacy among
Nation’s Hispanic and Latino Community for El día de los
niños/El día de los libros
February 1, 2008, New York, NY:
To support the festivities that will be held nationwide on April 30
in celebration of El día de los niños/El
día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day 2008), the
Publishing for Latino Voices Task Force of the Association of American
Publishers and the Association for Library Service to Children
(ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), have
partnered for the first time to create a recommended reading list of
children’s books in both English and Spanish for ages infancy -14
years for parents and others who choose books for children.
The bibliography features approximately two dozen
English- and Spanish-language titles published by AAP members and
selected by ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee, including
bilingual picture books, coming-of-age stories, and non-fiction, all
celebrating Latin culture and Latin American identity. The
bibliography will be made available to libraries and other
organizations participating in Día celebrations and at BookExpo
America in May 2008, as well as at other spring events and
conferences. The bibliography will be available in PDF format on AAP’s
Get Caught Reading Web site at
www.getcaughtreading.org.
“Literacy is our top priority for
children of all ages and backgrounds and AAP promises to do everything
we can to increase awareness of the joys of reading books both in
Spanish and English. We want to feed our children and our households
with ‘food for the brain’,” said Pat Schroeder, President & CEO of
AAP. “We hope this bibliography will serve as a guide for stocking
bookstores, libraries, schools, and family bookshelves in homes
nationwide.”
El día de
los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)
is officially
recognized each year on April 30, but is meant to be celebrated every
day. Founded by children’s book author Pat Mora in 1996, it highlights
the importance of literacy in children of all ages and of every
cultural and linguistic background. The celebration culminates on
April 30 with grassroots festivities across the U.S. ALSC is Día’s
national home, and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote
Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking
is Founding Partner. To learn more about Día and how to participate,
please visit
http://www.ala.org/dia
About the
Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force
AAP formed the Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force in 2002
in response to the burgeoning market of books by and for Latinos with
a mission to address those issues that are of particular concern to
publishers in this market. The PLVA has expanded its activism to
include participation in the Get Caught Reading campaign, BookExpo
America, Latino Books Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the
inaugural Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club. To find
out more about the PLVA or El día de los niños Bibliography contact
Tina Jordan at
tjordan@publishers.org
or 212-255-020 ext. 263.
About AAP
AAP is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing
industry. The association’s more than 300 members include most of the
major commercial publishers in the United States, as well as smaller
and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly
societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every
field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary,
postsecondary, and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer
software, and electronic products and services. The protection of
intellectual property rights in all media, the defense of the freedom
to read and the freedom to publish at home and abroad, and the
promotion of reading and literacy are among the association’s highest
priorities.
About ALSC
ALSC leads the way in forging excellent library service for all
children by supporting the profession of children's librarianship
through education, advocacy and collaboration. For more information
about ALSC awards, projects and events, visit
www.ala.org/alsc, or contact the ALSC office at
800-545-2433, ext. 2163,
alsc@ala.org.
About REFORMA
REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to
Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, was established in 1971 as an
affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA). REFORMA seeks to
promote the development of library collections to include
Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of
more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff;
the development of library services and programs that meet the needs
of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information
and support network among individuals who share our goals; the
education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability
and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve
existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.
Reading List, part 1
Reading List, part
2
### |
