Matt Raymond from the Library of Congress speaks with Pat Mora, who appeared at the 2010 National Book Festival on September 25, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Biography

A literacy advocate excited about sharing what she calls “bookjoy,” Pat Mora founded the family literacy initiative El día de los niños/El día de los libros, Children’s Day/Book Day, now housed at the American Library Association. The yearlong commitment to daily linking all children to books, languages and cultures culminates in celebrations across the country on or near April 30. Her book titled “Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos el Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros,” (HarperCollins), promotes the Día spirit. Mora’s haiku collection about foods of the Americas, “Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico!, won the Américas Award and was an ALA Notable book. “Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart” was also an ALA Notable book that received a Pura Belpré Author Honor Award and a Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Mora lives in New Mexico.