Theme 2: American Stories

Meet the Author

Pat Mora says she feels "very fortunate" that she grew up in El Paso, Texas, in a bilingual home. Mora very often works Spanish words into her English stories, because she wants readers to remember that people speak many languages the world over. "Quien habla dos lenguas, vale por dos," she says. ("If you speak two languages, your value is doubled.") She spreads her enthusiasm for languages and for reading by helping people all across the country celebrate April 30 each year as Dia de los Niños, Dia de los Libros (Children's Day, Book Day).