For Immediate Release
Contact: Tina Jordan
Ph: 212-255-0200 x263
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
January 30, 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 is currently available in PDF format on the AAP website at http://www.publishers.org/main/Latino/Diabibliographylist.htm and will be available soon on the 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.
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