For a number of years, some Latin American countries have designated April 30 as a day to honor children. In 1997, teachers and librarians throughout the United States decided to commemorate this date to focus on the literacy needs of Latino children.
They called it "Dia de Los Niflos/Dia de Los Libros," or "Day of the Children/Day of the Books."
In the past three years, the program has expanded to include schools, libraries, museums and bookstores. REFORMA de Utah, for instance, the statewide association organized to promote library services to Utah's Latino community, is coordinating a monthlong schedule of programs along the Wasatch Front.
This is the second year for this program, whose major goal is promoting literacy in the community, says Ben Ocon.
This year, three renowned Latino authors will be appearing in the Salt Lake area to present programs for children. Even though the authors are Latino, all children in the community will find it interesting, Ocon says.
"It's good for the non-Latino children to be exposed to a diverse culture in their midst," Ocon says.
On Thursday, April 20, at 4 p.m., children's folk singer, author and California radio host Jose-Luis Orozco will present a program for children.
Born in Mexico City, Orozco was the second of 11 children and became interested in music at an early age. As a youth, he traveled with the Mexico City Boys Choir, an experience that gave him much material to share with children around the world. He has written 12 volumes of "Litica Infantil, Latin American Children's Music" and two award-winning books, "De Colores and Other Latin American Folk Songs for Children" and "Diez Deditos — Ten Little Fingers."
On Wednesday, April 26, Francisco X. Alarcon, an award-winning author, will speak at the Weber County Library. Alarcon was born in Los Angeles but lived in both Guadalajara and Southern California in his youth. During his childhood in Mexico, he was exposed to the beauty and charm of his grandparents' life on a small farm.
His children's books, "Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems," "From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems" and "Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems" all showcase his warm childhood memories of the city and countryside. His eloquent command of language is evident in both English and Spanish.
REFORMA de Utah is a partnership in conjunction with the Utah Arts Council, Utah State Library Division, Davis County Library, Salt Lake County Library, Weber County Library, Park City Library, Salt Lake City Public Library, the Governor's Office of Hispanic Affairs and the Mexican Consulate and BP Amoco.
Admission to all programs is free.
You can reach Dennis Lythgoe by e-mail at dennis@desnews.com