July 2009

The Coretta Scott King Book Award Curriculum Resource Center

Earlier this month, we blogged about the 40th Anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Awards. Now, thanks to TeachingBooks.net, there is a fantastic resource that gives readers a chance to hear directly from authors and illustrators about the books they created. (Click through to read more.)

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Monday, July 27, 2009 3:08pm

Memorial for Al Robles this Saturday, July 25

Al Robles, one of the first authors to be published by CBP and a long time friend of the Press, passed away earlier this year. A memorial for Al will be held this Saturday, July 25, at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. Come celebrate Al's life, his writing, his passionate dedication to community activism. Volunteers are needed, and donations of food are much appreciated. More information about the memorial can be found here and more information about Al and his life can be found here.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Friday, July 24, 2009 10:31am

Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors

We've always believed that books should not only reflect the lives of children, but they should also help foster understanding among people of different cultures. We'd like to thank Carol Rasco, CEO of Reading is Fundamental, for recognizing and honoring this concept in the "Wednesday Window" series of her blog that "features books and/or information which illustrate the 'Windows' portion of the paper 'Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.' She recently highlighted our book, Just Like Me, and also said some pretty nice things about Children's Book Press: "RIF applauds Harriet and those who now serve at Children’s Book Press for this dedication to multicultural and bi-lingual publications."

Thank you, Carol and everyone at RIF! We're proud to have you as a partner in promoting the power of literacy for all children.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:47am

ALA 2009 Recap

Over 27,000 people attended the American Library Association’s annual conference in Chicago this year. For Children’s Book Press, it was a chance to showcase our new books, celebrate recent successes, and meet face-to-face with librarians, colleagues, and partners. Below are photos of some highlights from the show:

From the Bay Area: author Kathryn Otoshi and Sharon Levin

Oralia Garza de Cortés and Dr. Jamie Naidoo during their program on Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros

Lucía Gonzalez and Lulu Delacre

The Pura Belpré Celebración

A performance from the Children From Our Lady of Guadalupe Ballet Folklórico

Carmen Bernier-Grand, Lucía Gonzalez, Toni Bissessar, Lulu Delacre, Sandra Rios Balderrama, and Freda Mosquera

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 4:01pm

Enjoy those long lazy summer days with a book…

    we love
    to go shoeless
    on green grass

    mother Earth
    loves to tickle
    our bare feet

-- From the Bellybutton of the Moon

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:04pm

CBP headed to the Guadalajara Book Fair 2009!

CBP must say gracias to the National Endowment for the Arts, for bringing us down to this year's Guadalajara International Book Fair (also known as the Feria Internacional del Libro, or FIL) from November 30 - December 2! This year the Fair will have a special focus on publishers from the Los Angeles area and publishers that promote the work of LA-based authors. As part of the latter contingent, we'll be exhibiting in a special Los Angeles Guest of Honor Pavilion. More information about the NEA's support of these publishers can be found on the Letras Latinas blog.

We couldn't be more thrilled about this, especially in light of one of our releases for September: My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papa Diego y yo, written by Guadalupe Rivera Marín and illustrated with artwork by her father, Mexican master Diego Rivera. Guadalupe will be doing a special public presentation of the book at the Fair, currently tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, at 6:00pm. If you're planning to be at this year's Fair, please visit us at the pavilion or come by this presentation to meet the author and learn more about this unique book!

¡Mil gracias, NEA!

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:42pm

Surprise visit by Ruth Forman, poet extraordinaire

Poet and author Ruth Forman surprised us with a visit this Wednesday, and we snapped this photo in our offices while she was here. Her book, Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon, is a perfect choice for kids enjoying the hot weather and cool offerings of the ice cream man and gushing fire hydrants during the summer months. Click here to hear Ruth read from Cornrows on NPR.

And Ruth now has a summer treat for adults as well: her new poetry collection, Prayers Like Shoes, is also available from the publisher, Whit Press.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, July 2, 2009 3:53pm

CPB Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Award

During this year’s conference in Chicago, the American Library Association will feature several events celebrating the Coretta Scott King Book Award’s 40th anniversary. Founded at a time when little recognition was given to African American authors and illustrators, the CSK Award has, since then, become a highly respected badge of honor for its recipients.

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, July 2, 2009 12:45pm

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