Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul

Podcast #8 - Hunger - Nilsa Mariano

2006-04-11T09:37:00.000-04:00

Please tune in and listen to podcast #8, where you will get a chance to have Latino Soul author Nilsa Mariano reach right in and grab your heart with her compelling story "Hunger," a fantastic story that recounts the hunger of our Latin@ children to be proud of who they are, and where they come from. I remember the first time I read Nilsa's story, right after she submitted it, and I was in tears. I couldn't help thinking how much it would have meant to me as a child-- getting a lot of negative messages about being Latina--to have had an experience like the one that Nilsa writes about in "Hunger." And I was crying not because I was feeling sad about the past, but because I was so grateful that there are children in today's world who are lucky enough to be in the audience when Nilsa tells her stories. God bless you for being in the world Nilsa, and for helping our children to walk tall, and to dream big...

This podcast is very dear to my heart, because it touches on a theme that I think is crucial for Latin@s: how do we work to support our children's sense of cultural pride and dignity? Especially in a world that so often tries to rob them of it. Is it easy, no! Is it possible? Yes! On podcast #8 we get a lesson from the story "Hunger" by Latino Soul contributing author Nilsa Mariano on how we can reach out to our children—not just our own but any and all latino children—and show them just how beautiful and special they are, and how part of that beauty and specialness comes from being Latino, in all the different ways that being Latino can be expressed. When I interviewed Nilsa for this podcast, I asked her what she wanted people to take away from her story. She said: I want them "to believe in possibilities, to believe in self-respect, to walk with pride, and to be a mentor to those coming up now."

Nilsa Mariano is a teacher, storyteller, writer, editor, and award winning and published poet. A proud boricua who now lives in Binghamton, New York by way of Brooklyn, Nilsa prides herself on being a teller of traditional folktales, a teller of stories of grief and healing, and a devoted and loving mom. Her short story "Hunger" is her first commercial publication, but several of her poems have been published in literary magazines, and since being published in LS, she has had two more poems accepted in forthcoming anthologies.

Nilsa is the founder and editor of the monthly LATINO COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER: BROOME COUNTY AND BEYOND: IN OUR OWN WORDS. The mission of the LATINO COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER is to share information and knowledge with and about the Latino Community, and to support Latino literacy by promoting Latino writing. The NEWSLETTER features articles, community and cultural resources, editorials, interviews and updates on local businesses and community events. Nilsa says that with the newsletter, "We want to enrich, challenge and uphold our traditions with a vision toward the future." So check out the Latino Community Newsletter that always keeps "nuestra gente en mente." Nilsa has a Dr. Seuss quote on her newsletter site that really inspires me and goes perfectly with the theme of podcast #8. It goes like this:

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Dr. Seuss.

For news and information about the Latino Community Newsletter, please email Nilsa at nmariano@stny.rr.com. You can also get to the newsletter on the latinosoul website, where you'll find links on the April Featured Author page, and the April Featured Story page. Check it out, on www.latinosoul.com.

Dr. Susi's Book Club: this month my theme is on children, thanks to Nilsa, and so I would like to recommend a couple of exceptional bilingual, Spanish/English children's books. Both of these books are all about the love of family and the power of family values in teaching our children what's important in life. They are funny, lighthearted, but instructive, and children love them

1) Carlos And The Squash Plant/Carlos y la planta de calabaza, by Jan Romero Stevens, (Jeanne Arnold, illustrator)

Synopsis: "Having ignored his mother's warnings about what will happen if he doesn't bathe after working on his family's New Mexican farm, Carlos awakens one morning to find a squash growing out of his ear."

2) A Gift from Papa Diego/Un regalo de Papa Diego, by American book award winner Benjamin Alire Saenz, (Geronimo Garcia, Illustrator).

Synopsis: little Diego loves his grandfather but they don't see each other often because Papa Diego lives in Mexico. Little Diego asks for a superman outfit for his birthday—he wants to fly across the border to be with his grandfather. His parents buy him one, but will little Diego be able to fly? How will he be able to enjoy one of his happiest birthdays ever?

Dr. Susi's Suggestion: Support Latino writers and family literacy by picking these books up for your kids today!

Latino Soul Hero of the Month!: You know, you hear a lot of bad things about education in the United States, and a lot of equally negative things about teachers who aren't doing their job well enough. But we all know that there are exceptional teachers out there giving heart and soul to their students and their education. So this month I am thrilled to give you some information about Latino teachers doing wonderful things for our children. The Latino Soul Hero of the Month is Michele Sanchez-Capriotti, Reading Specialist at Bear Valley Elementary School in Moreno Valley, CA.

Latino Soul tips its sombrero to Bear Valley Elementary School, in Moreno Valley, CA, for the collective effort that resulted in the blockbuster success of the Family Literacy Fiesta which took place on March 11th. Latino Soul contributing author Michele Sanchez-Capriotti, who is a bilingual Reading Specialist at the school, organized the event at which an estimated 400 people were in attendance! The goal was to provide literacy opportunities/activities for the students and their families, to have fun with books and to target students who need additional support with reading. Latino Soul salutes the parents, teachers, administrators and everyone else who had the generosity and vision to help make the Family Literacy Fiesta a huge success. Here's a glimpse of what went on the Family Literacy Fiesta at Bear Valley:

every child who attended was given a dog tag that said "reading award" on it
guest readers--who were dressed up as characters from the books they read--read to the students every 20 minutes! I hear that Tigger and Winnie the Pooh were a particular hit with both kids and parents!
other guests supervised literacy games like sight-word bingo, and sightword bean bag toss
there was a "make and take" booth where kids made bookmarks, stationery, wordwheels, etc.
there were book raffles
books were sold below cost for $1 a piece
books were read in Spanish and English
Nachos were sold and eaten
Piñatas were broken
the place was filled to capacity!

I hear that given the success of this year's fiesta, teachers are already starting to work on their costumes for next year's literacy fiesta.

I talked to Michele about the literacy fiesta, and she told me that "the best thing about the day was watching the parents listening to their kids read stories, helping them sound out words, and congratulating them for trying to read above their level. The kids got so excited that we had 2nd graders trying to read 4th grade words!"

I want to particularly congratulate Michele, and her assistants, including her husband Michael, for all the grass roots work they did to get people out to the event. It isn't easy to get hundreds of people to a literacy event on the weekend, and it was only through tireless efforts, and pure ganas, that they pulled it off. After hearing all this, it won't come as a surprise to learn that in May Michele will receive Moreno Valley's Board Leadership Award for outstanding service to the educational community. Latino Soul salutes Michele Sanchez-Capriotti for these exemplary efforts on behalf of Latino Family Literacy and Latino children.

Michele tells me that if you are interested in having a literacy fiesta at your school, she will be glad to email you a packet developed by Katie del Monte and the presenters at the California Reading Association, to whom she want to give all the credit. Email Michele at mcapriotti@mvusd.k12.ca.us . And if you've got an upcoming or past literacy event that you would like me to publicize on the Latino Soul podcast, please email me at soup@latinosoul.com . Remember what Dr. Seuss said "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Let's make sure our kids--as award winning Chicano writer Luis J. Rodriguez says--have the cultural literacy to be able to choose where they want to be in society, and not have that choice made for them.

And finally, I want to plug another literacy event, this one for all ages, that is taking place all over the country. And that is the Edward James Olmos Latino Book Fair. The Book Fair will be in Houston, at the Houston Community College, Central Campus, on Sat and Sunday, May 6 and 7th from 12-6pm. for all of you in the Houston area, go check out the book fair, and the booths put up by NPR's Tony Díaz. You will be able to meet some of the Latino Soul authors, who are doing a panel on "how to get published" and who will also be reading from Latino Soul and from their own books. Get your autographed copies of Latino Soul (Barnes and Noble booth), and of the other wonderful books of Latino Soul authors Marie Delgado Travis (Coordinator), Esther Bonilla Read, Maria Luisa Salcines, Olga Valle-Herr, Margarita B. Velez, Rogelio Gomez. Special thanks to Marie for organizing this, and for all the time and planning that she has put into this over the last many months.

Since I won't be back with you until May 10, I want to wish you all a happy Cinco de Mayo in advance. And for those listening who don't know this already, and I know you're out there, 5 de mayo is not the commemoration of the day Mexico gained independence from Spain (that's Sept. 16th). But it is a day that celebrates freedom and liberty, and the unparalleled courage of 4000 Mexican soldiers who defeated a French army twice as large in Puebla, Mexico. For more information about Cinco de Mayo, and to find out why it's more than just a reason to buy 2 for 1 margarita's at your local bar, go to this award winning website: www.vivacincodemayo.org You'll be surprised what you find there!

Tune in to podcast #9 next month (May), when I will have the pleasure of hosting *myself* on the program, and reading my story about baseball, good solid Puerto Rican values, and the incomparable wisdom and courage of my abuelita. So please join me next month to hear my rendition--complete with my attempt at my Puerto Rican grandmother's accent)--of "Don't Do It, Willy!."

Thanks again to Nilsa Mariano for gracing podcast #8, and as my bilingual eight-year-old son Max Fernando said at the end of podcast #8:

ADIOS, Y HASTA LA PROXIMA! (listen to the podcast and you can hear his adorable voice!)

Podcast #7 - A Hero's Story - Monica Garcia Saenz

2006-03-08T05:55:00.000-05:00

Podcast #7, March 5th, 2006, features Latino Soul author Monica Garcia Saenz, author of A Hero's Story.

Monica Garcia Saenz is a proud Latina writer who resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Monica is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, but her roots grow deep in Chihuahua, Mexico, where she spent most of her childhood summers. She feels blessed to have the best of both worlds, having lived in Mexico City for five years and embracing its culture in her daily life while making a home in the good old USA. She is proud to be 100 percent bilingual and bicultural. She now lives in South Florida with her three kids, two dogs and a very lovely man. They each inspire her life and her writings on a daily basis! She loves going to the beach, reading, writing and cooking Authentic Mexican food (almost as much as she loves eating it). Monica enjoys writing poetry and inspirational pieces. She currently has a few books in the making. Expressions of the Self is her first poetry book and will go into production very soon. She produces the Garcia Family Newsletter on a regular basis for her very large family and intimate friends in an effort to unite them with love through her writings. She also produces the Latino Soul Newsletter (available at www.latinosoul.com) to promote Latino Soul and to share some insights into the contributing authors' writing as well as their lives. She can be reached at monica_garcia_saenz@hotmail.com.

Monica's awe-inspiring tale "A Hero's Story," recounts how an uncle she never met sacrificed his young life to save another, and in doing so, became the first local hero of Kansas City, Missouri. "A Hero's Story" recounts the life and death of Primitivo Garcia, and how his heroic act in 1967 was lost until the early 1990s, when a Kansas City reporter revived Primitivo's story, and brought local and national attention to his heroic legacy. In 1993, in honor of Primitivo García's extraordinary example of compassion and heroism, and in an effort to keep his memory and legacy alive, the KC school board was persuaded to name a new elementary school The Primitivo Garcia World Language School. An example of how Primitvo's legacy is kept alive is the song about Primitivo that opened this 7th podcast. The song was written by Bob Walkenhorst, the leadman for the popular and critically acclaimed rock group The Rainmakers. Bob's daughter attends the Primitivo Garcia School, and Bob performed the song along with his daughter's fourth grade class. In September of 2005, Monica revisited the Primitivo Garcia World Language School to read her story, and to autograph Latino Soul books for the 150 people who attended the event sponsored by Kansas City Hispanic News and MANA of Greater Kansas City. Monica recalls attending the dedication. "I remember the day they had the dedication ceremony", she says. "I thought to myself, `I need to do something someday.'" What she did was to write the powerful and gripping tale "A Hero's Story."

Monica wanted to thank someone else for keeping Tivo's memory and legacy alive. That person is Joe Arce, from the newspaper Kansas City Hispanic News. Joe is a long time family friend who not only helped Monica's family get the primitivo Garcia school named after her uncle, but who also assisted Monica as she did research for her story. In Monica's words, "Joe Arce is a role model for Latinos everywhere. When I was researching "A Hero's Story" I felt like Joe walked with me through the dreaming process and then celebrated with me as my dream came true."

Thanks for sharing that with us Monica, and for letting us take a moment to acknowledge another Latino hero, Joe Arce. It's nice to know you're out there in the world Joe, and Latino Soul salutes you. In addition to being our featured guest on the podcast, Monica Garcia Saenz is also our March Featured Author on the website www.latinosoul.com. Go to our site to get more information about Monica, and to read my interview with her, and to read "A Hero's Story." Another great way to read A Hero's Story is to go to your local bookstore, or to amazon.com, and buy the book. Latino Soul offers you 86 stories (and a few poems) written by Latinos and Latinas that will make you laugh, cry, and identify.

Dr. Susi's Book Club: March Recommendation
I would like to recommend for March reading the book of bilingual poetry Ofrenda/Offering, by award winning poet Marie Delgado Travis. This compelling book of poetry contains the Spanish version of her poem included in LS "Abolengo," and the English and Spanish versions of her award winning poem, "The Window." The Window, which recreates a compelling vision of Marie's childhood in the Bronx, placed Second in the international Tom Howard Poetry Contest (over 1,600 entries received). Ofrenda/Offering is a compelling collection of poems that will move you from one page to another with a desire for more. Marie Delgado Travis will keep you riveted throughout the 45 pages of this compelling book of poetry. Whether the theme of the poem is love, regret, childhood memories, or unfulfilled dreams, you will be pulled in each time by the expression of honest human desire that fills each page. Marie Delgado Travis is a bold, elegant and versatile new voice on the poetry scene, and you don't want to miss the opportunity to experience for yourself the wit, passion, and invitation to desire that you will find in Ofrenda/Offering. The book is available through major online booksellers, including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

I want to give a little shout out to Joseph Puentes, the creator of the website NuestraFamiliaUnida.com which is a portal for Latino cultural resources. Joseph is a big supporter of the LS podcast, and I wanted to acknowledge publicly how much his support means to us. Please check out the NuestraFamiliaUnida podcast, which you can access at www.nuestrafamiliaunida.com.

Thanks to everyone, y HASTA LA PROXIMA!

Podcast #6--"Me and Don Paco"--Marie Delgado Travis

2006-02-11T07:21:00.000-05:00

Marie Delgado Travis is an inspiration to those of us who have always felt that we had a good story or poem in us, but never got around to putting them down on paper. She started what is proving to be an admirable and acclaimed writing career at the tender age of 50. In the span of a few years, Marie has produced over 150 stories and poems, in both English and Spanish. Marie's writing has received a number of distinctions. Most recently, Marie's gripping poem "The Window" received Second Place in the prestigious international TOM HOWARD POETRY CONTEST. In the same contest, two of her poems ("Bijoux" & "The Bedspread") were commended. These three poems were published in the anthology, Across The Long Bridge (2005), edited by John H. Reid . In November, 2005, Marie was named "VIP of the Day" at Radio WOSO (1030 AM), the leading English language station in Puerto Rico.

Marie receives many invitations to read her work: Marie has appeared on NPR in Houston's NUESRA PALABRA; LATINO WRITERS HAVING THEIR SAY, on the Houston based show THE MEXICANZ (KLOL, MEGA 101), the popular community television program VIVA HOUSTON. Marie has also been an avid reader of her work at book stores and literature festivals. most recenty, in January, Marie read at Barnes and Noble in Austin TX (along with Jackie Mendez and Norma Oquendo) and she was also interviewed by Sergio Fernández on the radio show COFFEE BREAK on Radio WOSO in San Juan, PR. On Feb. 26th Marie will be reading at the Hispanic Book Festival in Houston (www.hispanicbookfestival.com). And Marie is currently organizing a Latino Soul authors discussion panel and reading for the Edward James Olmos 4th Annual Latino Book and Family Festival in Houston, on May 7th. For more information about the book fair, please go to www.latinofestivals.com

A proud Nuyorican who was born in Manhattan and moved to the North Bronx at an early age, Marie considers herself to be a "post-9-11 writer". After the horrific events of Sept. 11, Marie says that she felt an urgent need to sift through the rubble to find some meaning for herself and offer whatever comfort she could to others. Her story Me and Don Paco is an inspiring story of friendship and forgiveness, and for me its main message is that while we can't change the past, we CAN change our relationship to it by acting consciously and compassionately in the present. It's a gentle message, and a personal one, that also hints to us that we need to stay awake in life, and recognize the opportunities that we are given to rise to our spiritual potential.

Podcast #5 - Dad, The Rock Star of Tamale Makers - Kathy Cano Murillo

2005-12-01T06:58:00.000-05:00

Podcast #5 features Latino Soul author Kathy Cano Murillo, aka the "Crafty Chica," who introduces and reads her story "Dad, the Rock Star of Tamale Makers." Kathy's hilarious story recounts her father's superb skills as a tamale maestro, and his creative and comical (if sadistic!) way of dealing with meddling family members during one particular Christmas season. Listen in for Kathy's great introduction and spunky ready of her story, which is guaranteed to make your mouth water while you laugh at the family antics that you may find familiar.

Click here to read my interview with Kathy in the Featured Author column, where she talks about her inspiration for writing, her latest projects, and her tricks for juggling job, family and being the super-enchufada Crafty Chica. At the end of the interview, I offer links to Kathy's website, podcast, and blog. Enjoy!

Podcast #4--"I'll Always Remember You"--Norma Oquendo

2005-10-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

Podcast #4 features Latino Soul author Norma Oquendo, who introduces and reads her story "I'll Always Remember You." Norma's story is a heartwrenching tribute to her mother, Josefina, a loving, courageous and gentle soul who at the end of her life suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Listen to Norma's beautiful reading of the story, where she recaptures her love and devotion to her mother in the midst of a moment of shock and heartbreak. Click here to read my interview with Norma in the Featured Author column, where she talks about her inspiration for writing, and her ideas about the importance of loving and respecting our elders. At the end of the interview, I offer some important information on Latinos and Alzheimer's.

Podcast #3--"In My Classroom"--Anjela Villarreal Ratliff

2005-10-02T14:15:00.000-04:00

Podcast #3 features Latino Soul author Anjela Villarreal Ratliff, who introduces and reads her story "In My Classroom." Anjela's story gets at the heart of the bilingual/bicultural legacy of Latinos, the struggles around preserving our bicultural birthright, and the common Latino experience of working toward the recovery of cultural identity and pride. Listen to the podcast and hear Anjela's compelling and animated interpretation of her story. And then click here to read my interview with Anjela, where she offers us insights into her craft as a writer, her ideas about Latino storytelling, and some interesting information on the history and current status of U.S. Latinos and language. Check it out!

Podcast #2--"Abolengo"--Marie Delgado Travis

2005-09-25T18:42:00.000-04:00

On podcast #2, posted Sunday, September 25, I have the pleasure of featuring writer and poet Marie Delgado Travis, who contributed the wonderful story "Me and Don Paco" and the powerful and eloquent poem "Abolengo" to Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. Marie reads her poem "Abolengo" on the podcast and offers great insight into both her own work and Latino Soul.

Marie, who is originally from the Bronx but now divides her time (with her husband Edmunds) between Houston, Texas and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, has won awards for both her poetry and prose. She is the author of two wonderful books of poetry, Anochecer / Nightfall and Ofrenda / Offering (2005), available worldwide through online booksellers. Marie honors her bicultural heritage in her books by writing in both Spanish and English, and in doing this, encourages and empowers us to keep alive our bicultural heritage. You can find more information on Marie at hometown.aol.com/marilutravis/index.html.

Marie previews her reading of the poem "Abolengo" by sharing the inspiration behind her two LS contributions. Marie also talks about how Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul showcases diverse Latino/a storytelling, and why it is such a special and powerful collection of stories and poems that will appeal to readers across races and cultures.

On the podcast, as a gift (I hope!) to Marie and to listeners, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I read "Abolengo" in Spanish, as it appears in Marie's bilingual chapbook, Ofrenda/Offering. I am so impressed by Marie's stellar bilingualism, and the way that she is able to communicate so eloquently in both English and Spanish. She makes me proud! What a gift to be Latina (or Latino) and to speak two languages with such command, creativity, and confidence. And even for those of us who speak one of the two with more confidence than the other, still, what a gift we give to ourselves and to our society.

At the end of the podcast I direct myself to monolingual English-speaking Latino/a listeners, who may feel left out when they hear the Spanish reading of "Abolengo." My message to my monolingual gente is: there is no shame in whatever your linguistic situation is, no shame! So don't waste time feeling bad about it! If you are a monolingual English-speaking Latino/a who yearns to recover our linguistic legacy, who desires to have Spanish and its melodious and warm sounds roll off of your tongue, then get active and go and learn the language. There are so many ways to do this... How many Latinos have found themselves in the same situation and worked hard to get their linguistic birthright back? It is such a common story, and one that Anjela Villarreal Ratliff will explore in next week's podcast, when she introduces and reads her great story "In My Classroom." Stay tuned!

Listen to LS authors on award-winning radio! Three LS authors were featured on Houston radio show: Nuestra Palabra: Latino/a Writers Having Their Say (KPFT 90.1 FM, Houston, Texas, Sept. 20), produced and hosted by Liana López and Tony Díaz). Anjela Villarreal read "In My Classroom," Esther Bonilla Read interpreted her story "The Ring," and Norma Oquendo read "I'll Always Remember You." They were all wonderful and you don't want to miss this! The readings and short interview with Latino Soul authors is followed by a powerful interview with Latina activist and hero Dolores Huerta, co-founder (along with César Chávez) of the United Farm Workers of America, so tune in by clicking here: it's a power-packed show: http://www.kpftx.org/archives/kpftsignal/. (The readings by LS authors start about 10 minutes into the show, so if you don't have a lot of time, you can forward to the readings).

And if you can, tune in this Tuesday, September 27, to Nuestra Palabra, to hear Latino Soul authors Marie Delgado Travis, Rogelio Gomez, and Margarita Velez read their work and share their insights. Nuestra Palabra, as always, will be hosted by Tony Díaz and Liana López, and can be found live on 90.1 FM (for all of you in Houston), and also online at http://www.kpft.org/, at 7:30 pm on Tuesday. I will post a link to the archived show after it airs.

Click here to listen to the wonderful Marie Delgado Travis on podcast #2!

íHasta la próxima!
Susan

Podcast #1 - University Ave. - Pat Mora

2005-09-18T18:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Latino Soul podcast, the podcast for the book Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. My name is Susan Sanchez-Casal and this is podcast #1, September 18, 2005. Click here for the audio version of this podcast, please go to The Book section of www.latinosoul.com, where you can find sample stories, links to media coverage and promotional events, and much more. Check it out!

I am the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul, a wonderful and groundbreaking collection of stories and poems written by and for Latinos. The book, which was released on August 9th, features and celebrates the love of family, the power of our communities, and the strength and wisdom that we gain from facing life's challenges. Everybody knows about Chicken Soup books: they offer readers inspirational stories that touch our hearts and encourage us to live life with awareness and compassion. Latino Soul adds something special to this best-selling series by weaving into the Chicken Soup recipe a celebration of Latino life in the United States.

The contributors to Latino Soul come from all walks of life, and tell stories that range from surviving the Great Depression to forgiving an alcoholic parent, from the elaborate preparation of delicious traditional foods, to the sometimes comical consequences of living in Spanglish. Latino Soul will give Latino readers a chance to look in the mirror, to laugh, cry and identify with the people and places captured in the book, and to see the power and beauty of our communities. And while I am especially pleased to offer Latino Soul to Latino readers, I know that it is also a wonderful contribution to non-Latinos who are interested in Latino cultures and storytelling. Latino Soul has something for everyone.

Latino Soul was released last month, and we've had an amazing response from readers as well as from media across the country. There have been dozens of TV, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews since the book's release, and the more than 70 contributing authors are hitting the streets to publicize and promote the book. Authors are doing readings and book signings at bookstores from coast to coast, so check latinsoul.com to see if there's a promotion scheduled in your area.

The weekly Latino Soul podcast will give listeners a chance to go behind the scenes with Latino Soul, to hear the authors read their stories and comment on them, and to listen to their experiences as writers and contributors to Latino Soul.

Today, in honor of the kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month, which started on Thursday, I have the pleasure of reading "University Avenue" by award winning Chicana author Pat Mora. Pat Mora is a native of El Paso, Texas, who now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico; she is one of the most celebrated Latina authors in the United States and has published more than 25 poetry, non-fiction and children's books. Pat is a literacy activist and a strong supporter of bilingualism, and has been quoted as saying that she feels "very fortunate" to have grown up in El Paso, Texas, in a bilingual home. Mora very often uses Spanish words in her stories and poems in English, because, in her words, "I want 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.")

Her latest books, published this fall, are The Song of Frances and the Animals and Doña Flor : A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart. Pat Mora's previous book, Tomás and the Library Lady, received numerous awards, including the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, and an Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Pat is one of the founders of "El día de los niños/El día de los libros," (Children's Day/Book Day) a grassroots family literacy initiative that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in April, 2006. For more information on "El día de los niños," please see her website www.patmora.com.

The poem that I am reading today, "University Avenue," has special meaning for me, as I'm sure it will for all Latinos and Latinas who have been the first in their families to get a college education. The poem recognizes the struggle of the "first of our people" to walk through the gates of higher education, and the importance of remembering those who came before us when we take those first steps into unknown, and sometimes difficult territory. "University Avenue" also suggests that we don't have to leave behind our cultural identities when we walk through the door to higher education; in fact, it's saying that we shouldn't, that we should strengthen our sense of where we come from and keep it with us as we grow and change. Pat Mora seems to be telling us that when in doubt, when we face obstacles, when we feel insecure and maybe like we don't quite belong on college campuses, we need to reach deep inside ourselves in order to reconnect with the people and the traditions of our cultural lineage. By doing that, we'll know what step we need to take next. It's a powerful message, and an important one, especially considering the challenges that exist for Latinos in the educational system today.

I decided to open Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul with Pat Mora's poem because I think that it evokes our realities as bicultural people, as immigrant and native people, as people whose American journey is still very much in the making. But even more than that, I was inspired by the strength of her words, and by the reminder that we so often need on this journey, that "we are not alone," that we can always draw on the people whose values and hard work have paved the way for us to University Avenue. Listen to the poem and see what you think. If Pat Mora's poem inspires you the way it does me, we welcome your comments on the Latino Soul blog.

University Avenue
by Pat Mora

We are the first

of our people to walk this path.

We move cautiously,

unfamiliar with the sounds,

guides for those who follow.

Our people prepared us

with gifts from the land,

fire, herbs and song.

Yerbabuena soothes us into morning,

rhythms hum in our blood,

abrazos linger round our bodies,

cuentos whisper lessons en español.

We do not travel alone.

Our people burn deep within us.

Well that's it for podcast #1.
I look forward to next week's podcast, when we'll be featuring LS author and poet Marie Delgado Travis, who will read her poem "Abolengo." If you want a preview, you can read "Abolengo" in the sample story section of latinosoul.com. Thanks for listening and hasta la próxima!

Latino Soul Blog #1

2005-09-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

¡Bienvenidos/as to the first Latino Soul blog!

This is the first posting in what will become my weekly blog for Latino Soul. For this first blog I am pleased to christen our redesigned, dynamic website! Latinosoul.com is now fully loaded with new features such as the reader forum, a weekly "featured story" section, a guest author column, links to radio and TV reporting on Latino Soul, information on Latino Soul promotion around the country, story submission page, sample stories page, and more. (A few of the features are still under construction and will be available by September 22nd, so be sure to check back).

In addition to these exciting features, I am happy to announce the debut of the weekly ***Latino Soul PODCAST, *** on Sept. 18th, as the LS kick-off to Hispanic Heritage Month. ¡¡¡Be sure to listen in!!!!

The buzz around Latino Soul is intensifying, and what a nice buzz it is! The ongoing response from Latino and other media has been phenomenal, and I have been bowled over by the generous spirit and dedication of the contributing authors--THANK YOU, MI GENTE!--who have been working behind the scenes and who have hit the streets promoting Latino Soul and working to get it into the hands of readers. As you will see when you browse the site, the authors are doing readings and book signings from coast to coast. Check out the Media Events page and treat yourself to a reading or signing in your area.

Given the reach of the new website, I hope that latinosoul.com will help bring together a "community" of readers and writers who are interested in Latino Soul and all that it stands for. I hope the site will be a resource and contact zone for writers and readers, both Latino/a and non, who have a vivid interest in the ever-expanding Latino USA.

Again, welcome to the new latinosoul.com! And we hope to see you around here on a regular basis!

Pa'lante!

Susan