Sweet Dreams/Dulces Suenos: Bilingual English-Spanish (My Family/ Mi Familia) - Hardcover

Pat Mora, a popular presenter across the country at conferences, campuses, libraries, and schools, speaks and offers workshops on literacy, creativity, leadership, the writing process, and serving diverse populations. "Sharing Bookjoy: Creative Literacy Leaders" and "ZING! Seven Creativity Practices for Educators and Students" are among her more popular themes.

The author of award-winning books of nonfiction and poetry for adults and of many children's books, Pat received honorary doctorates in letters from North Carolina State University and SUNY Buffalo and is an honorary member of the American Library Association. Among her other awards are the 2006 National Hispanic Cultural Center Literary Award, a Civitella Ranieri Fellowship, a Visiting Carruthers Chair at the University of New Mexico, a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship.

A former teacher, university administrator, and consultant, Pat is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños/El día de los libros, Children's Day/Book Day (Día), now housed at the American Library Association. The yearlong commitment to linking all children to books, languages, and cultures and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in national celebrations in April.

Pat was named one of the "Fifty Most Inspiring Authors in the World" by Poets & Writers magazine in February 2010.

PreSchool-K—As Abuelita tucks her three bouncy grandchildren into bed, she calms them by reminding them of the many small animals that also sleep when darkness falls: "Shh, shh, the squirrels are sleeping." Spreads containing unremarkable watercolor illustrations and a choppy text jump back and forth between the progressively drowsy youngsters and various snoozing creatures. Kids may relate to the portrayal of familiar critters and perhaps be lulled to sleep by Abuelita's steady "Shh," but overall, the book's comforting elements cannot compensate for their haphazard presentation. For better bilingual stories with a bedtime theme, try Sandra Cisneros's Hairs/Pelitos (Random, 1997), Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's Rabbit's Bedtime (Houghton, 1999), or Ginger Foglesong Guy's Siesta (HarperCollins, 2005).—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA
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