New List Recommends Children’s Books for Día de los niños/Día de los libros

By Staff -- Críticas, 2/5/2008

The Publishing for Latino Voices Task Force of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), have partnered to create a recommended reading list of children’s books in both English and Spanish for children up to 14 years. The list comes in time for libraries and bookstores to plan for El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), which is celebrated nationwide on April 30.

The bibliography highlights more than 20 English- and Spanish-language titles that celebrate Latin culture and Latin American identity. It includes bilingual picture books, coming-of-age stories, and non-fiction titles. A complete list is available on AAP’s Get Caught Reading Web site at http://www.getcaughtreading.org/pressreleases/dia_pr.htm

The AAP hopes this list will serve as a guide for bookstores, libraries, and schools, as well as families, in preparation for Día de los niños. “Literacy is our top priority for children of all ages and backgrounds,” said president & CEO of AAP Pat Schroeder. “We want to feed our children and our households with ‘food for the brain.’” Works chosen for the list were published by AAP members and selected by ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros, which was founded by children’s book author Pat Mora in 1996, 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 United States. 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.