Kerry Bacho is the Early Literacy Manager for the Raising a Reader, opens a new window program through Parent Services Project, opens a new window and a longtime early literacy teacher and advocate. This April she donned a floor-length red cape, aviator glasses, and a pilot cap to bring West Marin kids on a journey across Latin America.
In collaboration with the West Marin branches of MCFL and local schools, Little Red Reading Hood (Kerry’s storytime alter ego) made library or school visits to Point Reyes, Inverness, and Bolinas/Stinson in a month-long celebration of Día del Niño/Día del Libro.
Children learned about the flags, games, songs and stories of Colombia, El Salvador and Guatemala. From biblioburros to volcano dogs to woven textiles and canicas (marbles), local little ones got a taste of Central and South America. Kerry's choices created moments of feeling seen for the children. One Inverness student with both El Salvadoran and Guatemalan heritage positively glowed with pride to have her roots recognized and celebrated. In Bolinas/Stinson, another boy's face broke out into a grin when he recognized the Guatemalan folk song "Vamos a la Mar." After multiple flights of the imagination, Little Red Reading Hood left our young travelers with stamped literacy passports and one more destination to explore in their classrooms: Mexico!
Día del Niño/Día del Libro is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. Día is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures.
Coming up next:
Join the West Marin Libraries in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Papermill Creek Children's Corner and Día with a free family program, open to the entire community this Saturday, April 29th. Come on a journey of Latinidad with Little Red Reading Hood at 11 am, and clown away the afternoon with an interactive, bilingual performance of “Where The Forest Meets the Sea” by Brenda Arellano and Josh Matthews at 1 pm. Other activities include crafts and games with the Learning Bus, face painting, free food, book giveaways, and more. West Marin Día collaborations and celebrations are funded in partnership with West Marin Fund.
Kerry’s Reading list:
Columbia: Waiting for the Biblioburro
El Salvador: Vamonos A San Salvador
Guatemala: Abuela's Weave El tapiz de abuela
Mexico: Playing Lotería
Add a comment to: Little Red Reading Hood Visits West Marin Libraries