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A video interview with

Pat Mora

Pat Mora

Pat Mora is a poet and author as well as a children's literacy advocate. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Pat Mora discusses her bilingual childhood and her literacy cause.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online, or read the interview transcript. You can also read a short biography of Pat Mora or see a selected list of her children's books.

(Another interview with Pat Mora, this one in Spanish and meant especially for Spanish-speaking parents, is available on our sister web site ColorinColorado.org. There are more interviews with other notable Hispanic authors available on the site.)

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  • Missing heritage (1:00)

    Pat Mora grew up in a Mexican-American home, but in elementary school that part of her was missing.

  • A vein of gold (2:00)

    Only as an adult did Pat Mora begin to reflect on her rich Mexican heritage. Her family stories have enabled many Hispanic children to see themselves reflected in books.

  • A versatile writer (2:00)

    Pat Mora is able to express her ideas through fiction, nonfiction, and poetry – for both children and adults. In this video clip, she explains how her picture book, The Rainbow Tulip, grew out of her family memoir, House of Houses.

  • The library lady (3:00)

    Tomás Rivera was the son of migrant farm workers. He went on to become the president of the University of California at Riverside. Pat Mora talks about the one special librarian who opened the world of reading for him – which is the story behind her book, Tomás and the Library Lady.

  • My Tío Pablo (1:00)

    When students feel safe at school to talk their home culture, they open up to a world of creative possibilities.

  • Partnering with Latino parents (4:00)

    Pat Mora dispels the myth that Latino parents can't be active and excited members of the school community. She points out how schools have benefited by including them.

  • Reaching out (4:00)

    Understanding the differences and diversity within the Latino population is important for developing effective outreach programs. Pat Mora also points out specific ways that libraries can reach out to tentative parents.

  • Not enough multicultural books? (2:30)

    Pat Mora points out that only 2 percent of all children's books are by or about Latinos. She encourages educators to talk with publishers and bookstores about creating a more diverse American literature that better reflects today's population in the United States.

  • You don't have to speak English (1:30)

    Pat Mora discusses the advantages of reaching out to Spanish-speaking parents and empowering them with strategies for participating in their children's education.

  • Día de los niños/Día de los libros (3:00)

    Learn more about how you can celebrate Children's Day/Book Day on April 30. This Hispanic and multicultural literacy event is a growing celebration of kids, cultures, and books.

§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.