Spread Book Joy on Children's Day /Book Day!

El día de los niños / El día de los libros, Children's Day / Book Day, the literacy initiative celebrated on April 30th and founded by award-winning author Pat Mora, marks its 15th anniversary today!

The goal of "Día" is to link all children to books, languages and cultures year round. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL published a Día 2011 feature article recommending 10 culturally relevant picture books perfect for storytime, family storytelling, book talks, and classroom discussions. Celebrations are being held at public and school libraries, bookstores and schools around the country----many of our writers and illustrators will be celebrating "Día" and their bilingual children's books with readings and events in April/May. Spread the word about "Día"and bring book joy to children everywhere!

Award-winning illustrator John Parra's Día 2011 guest blog for Reading Is Fundamental shares a sneak peek at his new book coming this summer, WAITING FOR THE BIBLIOBURRO, by our very own Monica Brown!

Meet MARA PRICE (www.maraprice.com):
April 28 - 6:00 pm
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011
Spring Valley Library
836 Kempton Street
Spring Valley CA 91977

April 30 May 1st
Author Signing
LA Times Festival of Books
Los Angeles, CA

May 5 – 10:30 am
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011
YSL, Mission Valley Branch Library
2123 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, CA 92108

May 6 – 10:30 am
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011
Beckwourth Branch Library
721 San Pasqual St.
San Diego, CA 92113

May 7 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Author Signing of Grandma's Chocolate/El chocolate de abuelita and Chocolate tasting!

San Diego Botanical Garden’s famous Chocolate Festival
San Diego, CA

Meet RENE COLATO LAINEZ (www.renecolatolainez.com):

May 5 – 4:30 pm
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011 and Cinco de Mayo
Panorama City Branch
Los Angeles Public Library

May 6 – 4:00 pm
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011 and Cinco de Mayo
Sun Valley Branch
Los Angeles Public Library


Meet MONICA BROWN (www.monicabrown.net):

May 10 – day/evening
Bear Mountain Elementary School, Arvin, CA
Bakersfield City School District Migrant Program, Bakersfield, CA

May 11 – 10:00 am
Nueva Vista Language Academy
Delano, CA

May 12– 10:00 am
Jefferson Elementary School
Bakersfield, CA

May 18– via webcast
Encuentro Internacional de Escritores
Quito, Ecuador

May 18– May 21
9th Annual National Latino Writers Conference
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Meet CARMEN TAFOLLA (www.carmentafolla.com):
April 30 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Reading/Signing in celebration of Día de los niños /Día de los libros 2011
Clark Park/Mexicantown
Detroit, Michigan

Especially for moms and dads!

Nothing gets us more excited here at Full Circle than when one of our new titles is ready to take its first steps into the world!

Since my own son recently entered the wonderful and crazy world of toddlerhood, I'm (Stefanie) especially excited to welcome The World According to Toddlers just out from Andrews McMeel. From dramatic car seat tantrums to inexplicable wardrobe choices to bedtime showdowns its all here in full laugh-out-loud glory! Authors and moms themselves, Shannon Seip and Adrienne Hedger have done it again helping parents laugh and maintain a sense of humor during those precious (and hmm...sometimes challenging) times with our little ones.

I've had the pleasure of representing and growing through mama-hood with many laughs along with this amazing duo, first with the authors' If These Boobs Could Talk and next Momnesia. Here's to our third! Take it from the proud mama of a three-year-old who *must* dance and sing the extended version of Mary Poppins "Step In Time" before getting dressed every morning, and who is the master of "ME DO IT -- ALL BY MYSELF" this is one book every mom and dad needs to make it through the 2's, 3's, 4's...and beyond?!

Click here to see the hilarious The World According to Toddlers book video for just a peek at what you're in for~