Did you know that Anthony Robles, author of our own Lakas and the Manilatown Fish and Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel, is also an established poet? Tony was recently featured in "harriet: a blog of the poetry foundation" for his recent poetry collection that has just been published, entitled Filipino Building Maintenance Company. Learn more about Tony and his poetry here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 10:58am

Thanks to Amy Bowllan for featuring Malathi Michelle Iyengar and her book, Tan to Tamarind, as part of her "Writers Against Racism" series on her School Library Journal blog.  Malathi talks about her experience of racism as a child and what inspired her to write a book about positive representations of the color brown.  The post has generated some interesting comments as well.  Read Amy's blog here and join the conversation.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:01pm

What do you do when you receive a note from Justice Sonia Sotomayor? Well, first you jump up and down, then you blog about it!

For so many children across the country—especially young Latinos and Latinas—the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States is a huge inspiration. It is so important for children across the country to see themselves reflected, not just in books or movies or on TV, but also in our national leadership. As such, we sent a note of congratulations to the Honorable Justice Sotomayor along with a sampling of our books. A couple of weeks later, we received a personal note from the Justice herself. Needless to say, we were thrilled! You just have to read the note for yourself (addressed to Lorraine García-Nakata, our Publisher & Executive Director):

Congratulations, Justice Sotomayor. You are an inspiration to us all.
 

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, October 5, 2009 4:28pm

This month, we are pleased to recognize and honor the history, culture, and contributions of Filipinos in the United States. According to the Filipino American National Historical Society, Filipinos first established permanent residence in the US in 1763. Since then, Filipinos have migrated to all parts of the country and are now the second largest Asian population in the US.

Children’s Book Press is proud to have published two books that celebrate Filipino American history and culture. Bilingual in English and Tagalog, Lakas and the Manilatown Fish and its sequel, Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel take readers young and old on a journey to San Francisco’s historic Filipino American neighborhood. 

So, this month we invite you to follow Lakas on his many adventures through the streets of Manilatown. Don’t forget to let us know how you’ll be celebrating Filipino American Heritage Month.

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Special note: On September 26th, a typhoon devastated the northern island of Luzon in the Philippines, causing the worst flooding the country has seen in over 40 years. Nearly 2 million people have been affected. As we celebrate Filipino American Heritage Month, we would also like to call attention to the many relief efforts that are currently underway.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Friday, October 2, 2009 10:27am

This month, we are proud to highlight our long-time partner, Project Cornerstone and their Los Dichos de la Casa program. Los Dichos de la Casa is a parent program in Santa Clara County, CA that promotes school involvement and leadership with the Spanish-speaking community through the use of bilingual children's literature. Los Dichos de la Casa has hundreds of parent volunteers serving tens of thousands of students every month. Children’s Book Press (CBP) books have been a core component of the Los Dichos program since 2003. Below is an interview with Linda Silvius, Project Cornerstone's School Partnerships Director.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, October 1, 2009 1:35pm

As the end of year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the double-goodness of donating to your favorite children's publisher and getting a tax-deduction in one go!

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, October 1, 2009 12:31pm

Thank you to all our friends and supporters who attended the San Francisco Foundation's 2009 Community Leadership Awards. Below are some photos from the event, which took place on Sept. 22, 2009. Enjoy!

All photos (c) Drew Altizer Photography.

(From left) Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights; Sandra Hernandez of the San Francisco Foundation (SFF); Children's Book Press (CBP) Publisher & Executive Director, Lorraine García-Nakata; and David Friedman of the SFF

Lorraine García-Nakata with Lisa Villarreal, SFF Program Officer for Education

Recepients of the 2009 Community Leadership Award

Performance by Los Cenzontles

Welcome from David Friedman

Awards Committee Chair Belva Davis

SFF CEO Sandra Hernández

CBP is introduced by Lisa Villarreal and Josephine Stevenson

Lorraine García-Nakata accepts the award

Lorraine García-Nakata and friend with CBP staff

Proclamation from the San Francisco Unified School District and the Board of Education acknowledging CBP "for their remarkable collaboration with our teachers in building a connection between literacy and life-long learning, preserving traditions, and building a stronger future for our children through bilingual, multicultural books."

Proclamation from the California State Senate commending CBP for its "commitment and dedication to preserving cultural traditions while improving literacy and learning," and for its "ongoing efforts to help youth to achieve long-term success while stiving to create a bright future for themselves."

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, September 28, 2009 4:11pm

Did you see this Sunday's Chronicle? My Papa Diego and Me was included in a round-up entitled "Books that introduce kids to art and artists."

"A renowned Mexican painter is seen up close and personal in My Papa Diego and Me: Memories of My Father and His Art/Mi papá Diego y yo: Recuerdos de mi padre y su arte, by Guadalupe Rivera Marín and Diego Rivera (Children's Book Press; 32 pages; $17.95; ages 5-8). In this beautiful, bilingual memoir, Rivera's eldest daughter discusses her father's life, times and style with 13 paintings as jumping-off points. She fills in with personal anecdotes that contribute colorful detail, cultural context and family warmth. Thus kids will learn about a special relationship as well as about some favorite Rivera subject matter: children, Mexican traditions and revolutionary struggle."

You can read the entire article here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, September 28, 2009 9:54am

Our two fall books, My Papa Diego and Me and I Know the River Loves Me were just reviewed in Críticas. Check them out here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 10:14am

Children’s Book Press is proud to present our brand new, seriously updated,
recession-conscious, planet-friendly submission guidelines!

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 4:40pm