Dear Friends:

The beginning of each new year is a period of expectation and hope. It is also an occasion to look back and rejoice with all the opportunities life has offered us, the experiences that have enriched and strengthen us. Occasionally pain, inevitable component in the adventure of life, may be present, but the final balance is always gratitude. The year 2000 offered us generous satisfactions, specially by having the joy of seeing several new books published, and above all, for having had the opportunity to work with numerous creative and dedicated teachers, renewing old friendships and establishing new ones.

Authors in the Classroom. Some of the greatest joy has been the product of the course  Authors in the Classroom which we have offered in  Los Angeles, through “Project MORE” and the effectiveness of Elvira Armas; throughout New York state, through the State Bilingual Office and the vision of  Carmen Pérez Hogan and Gladys Cruz; in Brooklyn as a response to Ted Sloan’s enthusiasm; in San Francisco, as a fruit of the seeds planted here by  Rosita Apodaca and Rosalinda Boland. In  Miami-Dade County, the program which we initiated with the support of the indefatigable Lourdes Rovira is now in its fifth year. To see the teachers open their imagination and reflection and to create books in which their voice blooms, and then to see that model reflected in the creations of students and their parents has been a constant renewal of our hope.

Puertas al Sol/Gateways to the Sun. This collection (published by  Alfaguara/Santillana) is the culmination of our lives’ dream: to give Hispanic children the richness of our culture as a vehicle to become stronger and free. The fact that the collection (with its multiple series of Biography, Art, Theatre, Poetry, Hispanic World, Language and Culture) is being also published in English makes the dream twice as powerful, since it will allow children who do not speak Spanish to also be enrich with the treasures of the Hispanic culture and be able to respect and appreciate it. 

Reading the World III. For the third time, thanks to the generosity of doctoral students and graduates of the International Multicultural Program at the University of San Francisco, we had the opportunity to gather at USF some of the most important voices in multicultural children’s literature in the United States. The next conference will take place on October 13 and 14, 2001. Reading the World IV in conjunction with the USBBY Regional Conference.

Masters Program in Multicultural Children’s Literature and Doctoral Program in International Multicultural Program at the University of  San Francisco.  The enthusiasm generated by “Reading the World” has led to the development of a new Masters Program in Multicultural Children’s Literature. The continuous success of the graduates of the doctoral program, many of whom are today university professors in California and throughout the United States and abroad, has contributed to the increased dynamism of the program. The fact that graduates continue participating in the program activities and that they act as mentors of the new students creates a true learning community. It is an honor to be part of this extraordinary group of educators.

Collections. Vamos de Fiesta. Lenguaje. The release in the year  2000 of three educational programs, all published by Hartcourt, of which we are authors,  has also been a reason for satisfaction and an opportunity to visit schools and districts throughout the country and beyond. What a joy to see children in Saipan –an island I had not visited since 1978—reading our books!

Presentations.  We had the opportunity to make presentations at many conferences (NABE, CABE, IRA and several IRA regional). Among many other places we spoke nationwide at: Albuquerque, Denver, Miami, Orlando,  Phoenix, Portland, West Palm Beach. In New York: Albany, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Rochester. In Texas:  Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, McAllen, San Antonio. And in California: Alum Rock, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Diego. We also had the joy of working in Puerto Rico and in Micronesia (Guam and Saipan). The trip to Micronesia gave us the opportunity to enjoy the pristine natural beauty of Palau. Unsurpassable snorkeling! We also had the opportunity to spend two months researching and writing in Spain.

The Loose Leaf Book Company.  Being a member of the Book Selection Advisory Panel for the Public Radio Program The Loose Leaf Book Company has been a highlight for Alma Flor due to the extraordinary quality of the program.

Between the Lions.  Participating in the Advisory Panel for the whimsical PBS TV program must be mentioned as another big highlight, especially for the opportunity to meet some of the most creative people in the land!

Web Pages. We have been actively working in developing our Web Pages, both under construction. Although it is not yet finished, you can already visit www. almaflorada.net. Of course, our pages will be richer if you send us your comments. Please see the attached page.

Recent publications. Semilla de luz,  co-author by both of us, has been published by  Alfaguara as part of a ten titles collection “Los derechos del niño” (Children Human Rights).  Friend Frog, written by  Alma Flor and published by the Trade Division of Hartcourt is a celebration of friendship and the possibility that it has to bloom even between very different beings, like Frog and Field Mouse. We all have something valuable to offer a new friend.

Forthcoming Publications. Besides the new phases of  Puertas al Sol/Gateways to the Sun  we are anxiously awaiting the release of the new book in the Dear Peter Rabbit/ Querido Pedrín series. The book title is With Love, Little Red Hen. Leslie Tryon’s illustrations are simply extraordinary. Another title to appear soon is  Daniel’s Mystery Egg to be published as also by the Trade Division of Hartcourt.

This new titles, as well as all previous ones, can be obtained through:

Del Sol Books. 29257 Bassett Rd.  Westlake, OH  44145   
Toll free: (888) 335-7651  FAX: (440) 892-5546  
www. delsolbooks.com