New Releases by Pat Mora

Combining poetic language and the traditions of magic realism to paint a vivid portrait of her family, Pat Mora’s House of Houses is an unconventional memoir that reads as if every member, death notwithstanding, is in one room talking, laughing, and crying. In a salute to the Day of the Dead, the story begins with a visit to the cemetery in which all of her deceased relatives come alive to share stories of the family, literally bringing the food to their own funerals. From there the book covers a year in the life of her clan, revealing the personalities and events that Mora herself so desperately yearns to know and understand.

"A collection of original poems that celebrate family, universal childhood experiences, and the pure pleasure a young girl feels as her mastery and understanding grow throughout the seasons of a year"--

A Common Core Exemplar Text by an award-winning author-illustrator team Tomás is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather''s wonderful stories. But before long, Tomás knows all the stories by heart. "There are more stories in the library,"Papa Grande tells him. The very next day, Tomás meets the library lady and a whole new world opens up for him. Based on the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what libraries--and education--can make possible. Raul Colón''s warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh realities of Tomás''s life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian. "A gentle text and innovative artwork. . . . While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the end note gives it a real kick: the story is based on an actual migrant worker [Tomás Rivera] who became chancellor of a university--where the library now bears his name."--Publishers Weekly

Now in paperback: In a series of poetic verses in both English and Spanish, readers learn about the movement and moods of water around the world and the ways in which water affects different landscapes and cultures. Water rolls/El agua rueda onto the shore/hacia la orilla under the sun, under the moon./bajo el sol, bajo la luna. Here is an ode to the beauty of the natural world as expressed by the movement and moods of water. With every evocative verse, we visit one of fourteen different water landscapes and cultural areas around the world. Each is stunningly illustrated with a breathtaking view of the drama, joy, power, serenity, grandeur, or peacefulness of water. From the Grand Canal of Venice to Qutang Gorge in China, from the Sahara in Morocco to the Andes of Chile, we learn about the world through the lens of water, our most precious, life-giving resource.

Una excelente manera para que niños y niñas aprendan sobre el patriotismo, la ciudadanía, y los inmigrantes mientras una niñita y su tía abuela aprenden juntas la Promesa de Lealtad. Yo prometo . . . Lobo, la tía abuela de Libby, es mexicana, pero ha vivido en Estados Unidos por muchos años y quiere convertirse en ciudadana. Para ello, Lobo tendrá que recitar La Promesa de Lealtad a la Bandera en una ceremonia especial para ciudadanos nuevos. Libby también está aprendiendo La Promesa y va a dirigir a su clase a recitarla al final de la semana. Libby y Lobo deciden practicar juntas, haciéndose preguntas y compartiendo historias hasta el momento en que se hallan listas para erguirse orgullosas, con las manos sobre sus corazones.

My Singing Nana is a compassionate tribute to families dealing with Alzheimer''s Disease. This story celebrates the ideals of family, heritage, and happy memories, showing kids that no matter how their loved one might change they always have ways to maintain their special connection. “In a context perfect for the understanding of elementary-aged children, award-winning author and acclaimed literary critic Pat Mora sheds light on the everyday experiences of a family member living with dementia. In My Singing Nana Mora eloquently demonstrates that, despite the hefty toll this devastating disease can take, grandchildren and children alike can still enjoy meaningful and heartfelt relationships with those affected.” —San Francisco Book Review

Inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s Spoon River Anthology and Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Pat Mora brings us the poetic monologues of Encantado, an imagined southwestern town. Each poem forms a story that reveals the complex and emotional journeys we take through life. Mora meanders through the thoughts of Encantado’s residents—the mothers and sisters, brothers and fathers in whom we see slivers of ourselves and our loved ones—and paints a portrait of a community through its inhabitants’ own diverse voices. Even the river has a voice we understand. Inspired by both the real and imagined stories around her, Mora transports us to the heart of what it means to join in a chorus of voices. A community. A town. Encantado.

Libby''s great aunt, Lobo, is from Mexico, but is preparing to become a U.S. citizen. Together, they practice the Pledge of Allegiance as they share memories and dreams. From SLJ: ''''This gentle book explores what it means to be an American from the perspective of both a child and new citizen.''''

Chocolate, papaya, corn, and potatoes - these are only a taste of the many delicious foods native to the Americas and celebrated in this delightful collection. Imaginative, evocative poems and exuberant illustrations introduce 14 different indigenous foods, along with a descriptive paragraph of information for each.

"Hoy, jóvenes y viejitos bailan / a la luna y la estrella brillosa / celebrando su fiesta, / la pachanga deliciosa." El aclamado poeta Pat Mora se ha unido al artista Francisco X. Mora para crear un libro encantador y elegante cuyas rimas y dibujos harán las delicias de niños y adultos. "Tonight, young and old / dance to moon and starlight too, / join in the fiesta, / the delicious hullabaloo." Acclaimed poet Pat Mora has joined with artist Francisco X. Mora to create a charming and elegant book whose rhymes and drawings will delight children and adults.

An inspiring collection of Pat Mora''s own glorious poems celebrating a love of words and all the ways we use and interact with them: reading, speaking, writing, and singing.

Acclaimed poet Pat Mora (Borders, Chants, Communion, and other works) has joined with artist Francisco X. Mora to create a charming and elegant book whose rhymes and drawings will delight not only children aged 3 to 7, but adults (and animal-lovers) as well. Pat Mora''s whimsical poem, presented bilingually with a Spanish translation by Alba Nora Martínez, tells of birds, armadillos, and other creatures who join together in a kitchen one "orange night" to make merry beneath the desert moon. Exhilarated by the strains of a lizard mariachi band, these hungry creatures will gobble anything! Only the most delicious of hullabaloos can satisfy their appetites tonight. And only Francisco Mora''s captivating, colorful illustrations could catch them at play on the page.

Long, long, long ago, Bella and her grandmother Mamá Alma admired their vegetable garden. They liked gardening together. They grew sunflowers and lilies too, and chatted with lizards and hummingbirds. They walked around the flowers and vegetables holding hands, something they had done frequently since Bella was a baby. As her grandmother aged, Bella helped her to walk. “Every year, I need your help more and more,” said Mamá Alma. Sitting on their favorite rock, they remembered how Mamá Alma carried Bella to show her the sun and everything that grew in its powerful rays: trees, cacti, corn and flowers. The oldest and wisest woman in the village, she taught her granddaughter to sing, tell stories and weave. Mamá Alma is pleased that Bella has become the best healer in the village, the one everyone comes to for help with a sick bird or a stomach ache. Mamá Alma tells her granddaughter to remember their happy times together and to plan an annual “remembering day,” a special time to think about her when she is gone. In this special bilingual picture book for children, acclaimed author Pat Mora creates an origin myth in which she imagines how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones—El día de los muertos or the Day of the Dead—came to be. With tender illustrations by Robert Casilla that depict Bella and Mamá Alma’s loving relationship, this book will encourage children to honor loved ones, whether by writing stories and poems or creating their own remembering place.

In this special bilingual picture book for children, acclaimed author Pat Mora imagines how the Mexican custom of remembering deceased loved ones on El da de los muertos, or the Day of the Dead, came to be. With tender illustrations by Robert Casilla that depict a special relationship, this book will encourage children to honor their own loved ones, whether by writing stories and poems or building an altar.

This evocative collection of poems combines Pat Mora¹s simple, yet shining words with Steve Jenkin¹s bright collage images. The landscapes, animals, and people come into sharp focus and the beauty and mystery of the American Southwest are captured.

"A series of verses, in English and Spanish, about the movement and moods of water around the world and the ways in which water affects a variety of landscapes and cultures."--Provided by publisher.

Do?a Flor, una se?ora gigante, vive en un pueblo peque?ito. Los vecinos la adoran y ella adora a sus vecinos. Deja que los ni?os utilicen las flores de su jard?n como trompetas y las tortillas como balsas. A Do?a Flor le encanta leer y con frecuencia puedes verla rodeada de ni?os que escuchan atentos las historias de sus libros. ? Un d?a un tremendo aullido de animal proveniente de las afueras del pueblo asusta a todos, incluida a Do?a Flor. Quiere proteger a sus queridos vecinos y con ayuda de sus amigos los animales, se dirige hacia la meseta m?s alta, en busca de la terrible fiera. Pero cu?l no ser? su sorpresa cuando descubre que tras semejante estruendo se esconde una peque?a criatura. ? Pat Mora y Raul Col?n colaboran nuevamente para traernos una tierna historia sobre una mujer gigante con un coraz?n muy grande. ? El ?ltimo trabajo de Pat Mora y Raul Col?n, Tom?s y la se?ora de la biblioteca, fue galardonado con el premio Tom?s Rivera.

From blueberries to vanilla, indigenous foods of the Americas are celebrated in this bilingual collection of haiku, which also includes information about each food''s origins.

Every December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road to church. On his way, Juan Diego sees a beautiful Lady at the top of a hill. She tells Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and ask him to build a special church for her. But the Bishop doesn''t believe that Juan Diego has seen the Lady; he asks for a sign. Again the Lady sends Juan Diego, and again the Bishop asks for a sign. Until finally, she provides one: her shining image on Juan Diego''s cloak for everyone to see. This ebook contains Read & Listen audio narration.

Grandma Lupita tells her granddaughter Rose and Rose''s friend Terry the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a miracle that occurred near Mexico City in 1531. Includes facts about the event and its influence.

Four Bilingual paperback/ and one CD in a large hang-up bag.

"Zing! is a wonderful book that encourages others to be creative by sharing what has worked for Pat Mora in all of her creative efforts." —Camila A. Alire, Dean Emeritus University of New Mexico "In a series of letters to teachers written with her signature poetic grace, Pat Mora gently reminds us of the potential in ourselves and our students." —Lee Galda, Professor University of Minnesota "In this era of mandates, accountability and adherence to canned curricula, Mora reminds us that great educators are fueled by passion and creativity." —Gary Bloom, Superintendent Santa Cruz City Schools, Soquel, CA Cultivate your own creativity and the creative potential of all your students! Zing! Seven Creativity Practices for Educators and Students is a beautifully written guide that offers seven powerful practices for personal creativity and professional inventiveness. For each of the seven practices, author Pat Mora proposes seven symbols and presents parallel exercises for teachers and students. Evocatively written in the form of letters to teachers and librarians, this book: Helps educators access their creative selves and, in the process, become better teachers Nurtures students in expressing themselves through writing and other creative pursuits Includes activities at the end of each chapter This moving and inspirational volume serves as a reminder that inventive teaching is truly an art form that enriches lives and transforms teachers and students. Pat Mora was named one of the "Fifty Most Inspiring Authors in the World" by Poets & Writers magazine.

Beloved children''s book author and speaker Pat Mora has written an original collection of poems, each with a different teen narrator sharing unique thoughts, moments, sadness, or heart’s desire: the girl who loves swimming, plunging into the water that creates her own world; the guy who leaves flowers on the windshield of the girl he likes. Each of the teens in these 50 original poems, written using a variety of poetic forms, will be recognizable to the reader as the universal emotions, ideas, impressions, and beliefs float across the pages in these gracefully told verses. Also included are the author’s footnotes on the various types of poetic forms used throughout to help demystify poetry and showcase its accessibility, which makes this a perfect classroom tool for teachers as well as an inspiration to readers who may wish to try their own hand at writing.

In this poem in English and Spanish, lizards, armadillos, and other creatures of the night make merry beneath the desert moon, enjoying the strains of a mariachi band and gobbling lots of delicious food.

When a gust from her grandfather''s blowgun causes Luna to tumble from the sky and fall into the ocean, the little fishes help her rise once again, in an updated retelling of a traditional Mopan Maya myth from Belize. Reprint.

When a gust from her grandfather''s blowgun causes Luna to tumble from the sky and fall into the ocean, the little fishes help her rise once again, in an updated retelling of a traditional Mopan Maya myth from Belize. Reprint.

Presents an adaptation of the folk song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in which friends exchange gifts such as piątas and a little girl receives a present from a secret friend whose identity is eventually revealed.

In this adaptation of the folk song " The Twelve Day of Christmas," friends exchange such gifts as a pinata and "cuatro luminarias.".