  |
|
Letters
/ Cartas
|
|
August 4, 2000 It
was very nice to get to see you during ALA in Chicago. I traveled directly to
Spain from there. Now, as I write to you, the Mediterranean shines with light
outside my window. It is a constant symphony of blues, marking the passing of
these long days, when at nine p.m. it’s still daylight. When I cease to see
the ocean is only to be able to see the castle of Santa Bárbara, guardian of
the Bay of Alicante, magnificently illuminated, bringing back memories of other
fortresses and other seas. The 1999-2000
academic year was very rich for me, with new eight doctors graduating
after having worked closely with me. But in the continuity of life, now when I
am supposedly on vacation, Federal Express packages arrive each day bringing in
the proposals of those that will defend in October and plan to graduate next
May. And in that continuity faith and hope grow. A
substantive portion of my work this last year were the courses of
Authors in the Classroom which I had the privilege of co-authoring with
Isabel Campoy in
Brooklyn, New York City, Rochester and Albany, in New York State and in
Project MORE in Los Angeles; San Francisco Unified School District, and
Sunnyslope School, Phoenix, AZ. In
everyone of these courses the results have surpassed our expectations, not only
in the diversity and quality of the books authored by the teachers, but
primarily in their reports about the impact that authoring books have had in
their students, in their teaching practices and specially in their relationship
with the parents of their students. It
has been particularly meaningful to see the work done by parents and to be able
to heard some of them read their
books. A
great source of joy for Isabel Campoy and myself has been the publication of
Puertas al Sol. We are
extraordinarily happy that these books, which highlight the achievements of the
Latino culture, are available both also in English, as Pathways to the Sun to
allow English-speaking children to know the significance of the Hispanic
contribution to our multicultural society. Our culture is so vast and varied
that these books are only a sampler; but because they have been illustrated so
magnificently, and because all they contain is very valuable, we trust they will
make an impact in the children who are exposed to them. We
are now eagerly working in the next phase of the project which includes books on
Theatre, the Hispanic World, the Hispanic Culture and the Fun and Power of
Words. This is a work of devotion and the culmination of a lifetime vision. What
a privilege to see it realized in such beautiful format! It
has been rewarding to know that my latest book, Friend Frog, has been included
in the prestigious American Booksellers Association “Pick of the List”. This
tender parable of the friendship between Frog and Field Mouse is a celebration
of friendship and diversity very dear to my heart. It
is also a joy that, due to the Pura Belpré Award from the American Library
Association, conferred in Chicago
on July 9, Alfaguara has published the Spanish versions of both Under the Royal
Palms, who won the award, and its companion, Where the Flame Trees Bloom, now
also reprinted in English. The
Masters in Multicultural Literature at the University of San Francisco will
begin in September, 2000. Anyone interested in information about this program or
the Doctoral Program in International Educational (with the option of
specialization in Children’s Literature), should call the secretary at the
International Multicultural Program at
415/422-6878. I
look forward seeing you at the Reading the World Conference (University of San
Francisco, October 14-15.2000). Information is available at www. soe.usfca.edu/childlit
or you can call the number above for a brochure. For
any of my work, please do not hesitate to contact DEL SOL BOOKS [29257 Bassett
Rd. Westlake OHIO 44145 Phone 440/892-5850 FAX: 440/892-5546] they will always
be happy to help you. If you wish to contact me before August 30 the fax/phone
is: 011-349-65-26-11-00. With
very wishes for a wonderful summer, and always,
|
