Pat mora author biography of suzanne

Two local institutions long ago grabbed my heart: our public library and CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Mediation). If you’re a reader and book lover, both have upcoming events that would be worthy your attention.

One of my strongest memories as a child was walking under the Central Library’s colorful, artistically carved door, then the main door, on the Anapamu Street side of the building.

My mom took me and my brother there every two weeks, and I loaded up on whatever books caught my eye. The world in those books opened up endless learning curves and emotional ties.

Perhaps that is why I was pleased with the recent news that the Association of Library Services to Children, a division of the American Library Association, will present their prestigious national May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture here in Santa Barbara this year April

The talk provides a forum for “new voices speaking with new insight and new emphasis in the field of children’s lectures.”

Past reipients have included Lois Lowry, Maurice Sendak, Philip Pullman and Ursula Le Guin.

This year, noted and award-winning author Pat Mora, a contributor and supporter of bilingual literature, will speak on “Bookjoy! Alegria en los Libros!”

Bookjoy, her own phrase, describes the power and pleasure of words. Raised in a bilingual, bicultural family, she writes for a wide range of readers, adults and children.

Mora and I recently spoke about the importance of bilingual books for children and how the industry is treating this genre. We began with how she got into writing.

“My parents gave me a typewriter at my request when I graduated from Catholic schools in El Paso, Texas. With it was a fine box of stationary. After my graduation party when everyone went home, I sat down and began to write religious poetry,” she said.

Her first dream in establishing a career was to write children’s books.

“Like many people who decide to write a book, I thought it doesn’t look that

A Birthday Basket for Tia

October 10,
Cecilia and her cat search the house for the perfect gift for her great aunt's ninetieth birthday. She finds a basket and puts their favorite book in it. They have read the book while the cat tries to join in. Next, a flower pot in placed in the basket that they use to plant beautiful flowers. Then a teacup is found that her aunt uses when Cecilia gets sick. A red ball and flowers are also in the basket because they remind Cecilia of her aunt. All of their favorite things and activities are put in the special basket to surprise her great aunt. For the part, Cecilia and her mother fill up the piñata, put out flowers, and finish the cakes. Then family, friends, and the musicians arrive. They quiet down as the guest of honor walks threw the door. The great aunt is ecstatic to see all her family and friends there to celebrate her birthday. Cecilia gives her aunt the special gift to open. What do you know, the cat jumps in the basket! There was laughter and dancing the evening of the special birthday celebration.
  • Pat mora age
  • Is pat mora still alive

    • Pat Mora

    Pat Mora, a leading figure in contemporary Hispanic poetry, was born on January 19, in El Paso, Texas. She received a BA from Texas Western College in and an MA from the University of Texas, El Paso in

    Her recent books include Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems about Love (Knopf Books for Young Readers, ); My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults, (Arte Publico Press, ), Aunt Carmen's Book of Practical Saints (), and Agua Santa: Holy Water ().

    Her numerous awards and fellowships include the Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship, fellowships in poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts, four Southwest Book awards and the Premio Aztlán Literature Award.

    In addition to her books of poetry, Mora is the author of numerous children's books, including A Birthday Basket for Tia () and a memoir. Mora has taught at the University of New Mexico where she held the position of Distinguished Visiting Professor. She has also worked as a museum director and as a consultant on U.S.-Mexico youth exchanges.

    She resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • A voice by pat mora

    • Mora, Pat –

    (Patricia Mora)

    PERSONAL: Born January 19, , in El Paso, TX; daughter of Raúl Antonio (an optician and business owner) and Estela (a homemaker; maiden name, Delgado) Mora; married William H. Burnside, Jr., July 27, (divorced, ); married Vernon Lee Scarborough (an archaeologist and professor), May 25, ; children: (first marriage) William Roy, Elizabeth Anne, Cecilia Anne. Education: Texas Western College (now University of Texas—El Paso), B.A., ; University of Texas—El Paso, M.A., Politics: Democrat. Religion: "Ecumenical." Hobbies and other interests: Reading, walking, traveling, visiting with family and friends.

    ADDRESSES: Home— Plaza Blanca, Santa Fe, NM ; Sequoia Drive, Edgewood, KY Agent—Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown Ltd., Ten Astor Place, New York, NY

    CAREER: Writer, educator, administrator, lecturer, and activist. El Paso Independent School District, El Paso, TX, teacher, –66; El Paso Community College, El Paso, part-time instructor in English and communications, –78; University of Texas—El Paso, part-time lecturer in English, –81, assistant to vice president of academic affairs, –88, director of university museum and assistant to president, –89; full-time writer, –. Host of Voices: The Mexican-American in Perspective, broadcast on National Public Radio affiliate KTEP, – Member of Ohio Arts Council panel, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, consultant, –91, and member of advisory committee for Kellogg National Fellowship Program, – Distinguished Visiting Professor, Garrey Carruthers Chair in Honors, University of New Mexico, Advocate to establish El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day), a national day to celebrate childhood and bilingual literacy held during National Poetry Month, instituted April 30, Through RE-FORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Service to the Spanish-Speaking and Latinos, Mora and her siblings established the Estela and Raúl Mora Award. Gives poetry readings and prese