NMSU Dia Programs

NMSU Library Announces El Dia Programs

The New Mexico State University Library announces two free public programs in Las Cruces on Saturday, May 4, in celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day).

Author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson will read from her Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning picture book "Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall" at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library at 10:30 a.m.  All ages are invited.  A free copy of "Bad News for Outlaws" will be given to every family while supplies last.

Nelson will also present a talk on the importance of genealogical research and writing on the fourth floor of NMSU's Branson Library at 3:00 p.m.  This presentation will highlight her young adult novel "No Crystal

Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller."  This book received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Nelson blames becoming an author on her loving parents who relentlessly read to her every night.

"Who Will I Be, Lord?" "Almost to Freedom," "Ready? Set. Raymond!"  and "Mayfield Crossing" are among her other books.  She co-authored "Juneteenth" with her husband, Drew Nelson.

Nelson has been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller, school librarian, and has served on the Newbery and Caldecott award committees.

She holds master’s degrees from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College (Vermont), and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science.  In addition to her work as an author, Nelson is a youth services librarian at the public library in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros was founded by Santa Fe author Pat Mora in 1997.  The purpose of this internationally observed day is to celebrate children, families, reading and multiculturalism.  The NMSU Library’s celebration is funded by a grant from NMSU’s Southwest and Border Cultures Institute, and is co-sponsored by the NMSU Library and the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

For more information, contact Sarah Baker at (575) 646-6087 or Mardi Mahaffy at (575) 646-6925.