Sunday, January 14, 2018

Bless Me, Ultime, now is an opera!

FEBRUARY 18-25

National Hispanic Cultural Center

1701 4th Street Southwest, Albuquerque, NM  87102

Bless Me, Ultima – the most famous New Mexican novel, now is an opera.


Opera Southwest, along with the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque and Opera Cultura in California, is thrilled to have commissioned an opera based on Rudolfo Anaya’s best-selling novel Bless Me, Ultima. The composer, Héctor Armienta, has worked with Mr. Anaya on the libretto and the resulting piece will be an historic event.

My Land Sings by Rudolfo Anaya

A magical collection of 10 stories based on the folklore and oral traditions of Mexican and Native American cuentistas
Rich in the folklore of his ancestors, Rudolfo Anaya’s tales will delight young readers from across the globe. In stories both original and passed down, this bestselling author incorporates powerful themes of family, faith, and choosing the right path in life. In “Lupe and la Llorona,” a 7th grader searches for the legendary Llorana; in “The Shepard Who Knew the Language of Animals,” a shepherd named Abel saves a snake and gains the ability to understand the language of animals; In “Dulcinea,” a 15-year-old dances with the Devil. Other tales feature coyotes, ravens, a woodcutter who tries to cheat death, the Virgin Mary, a golden carp, and a young Latino who seeks immortality.
 
Deeply rooted in ancient mythological beliefs, these accounts of enchantment are as beautiful and mysterious as the Rio Grande itself—and serve as a testament to the lost art of oral storytelling.
 
This ebook features illustrations by by Amy Córdova.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

"Libraries Rock" 2018 Summer Reading




Visit the New Mexico State Library for resources.

Visit your local library
Register and log books and earn prizes 


For more information on the Colloborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) visit their website.
Future Summer Reading Programs:
  • 2019: Space- A Universe of Stories, artwork for early literacy and children's programs provided by Leeza Hernandez
  • 2020: Fairytales/Mythology/Fantasy- slogan TBD, artwork for early literacy and children's programs provided by LeUyen Pham

Happy Birthday, New Mexico

License plates from the Farmington Public Library
#readfarmington


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

ALA Midwinter in Denver

https://2018.alamidwinter.org/

STNM Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Book Project

DECEMBER 2017 UPDATE ON THE PUERTO RICO HURRICANE RELIEF BOOK PROJECT
Details on STNM's role as the non-profit sponsor of the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Book Light and Book Project are provided below.  As of December 31, 2017, we are thrilled to announce that $10,585 ($5,785 in cash, and $4,800 in books) have been raised and dedicated toward this incredibly creative and positive project spearheaded by STNM board members, Bob Kanegis and Liz Mangual.  Check out the latest photos from the island showing children using their new book lights to read their new books!  ​ 
                     
Background Information
Power in Puerto Rico is still not entirely restored in many communities.  Hopefully, schools will reopen in the new year.   We are storytellers, book lovers and educators joining together to send books and book lights to bring comfort and to shorten the long dark nights ahead.  Storytellers of New Mexico is serving as nonprofit fiscal agent for the project, spearheaded by board members, Bob Kanegis and Liz Mangual.  Thanks to Bob & Liz for their dedication and work  in bringing this project to fruition.

Three weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated the Island, Bob and Liz finally made contact with a young cousin there.  She described the long dark nights without power and children feeling  anxious and wondering how to spend their time. They remembered some of their own experiences in unexpected darkness.  They had read to each other and told each other stories.  It was comforting and brought their family together.  This practical project will bring light, stories, reading, and community to Puerto Rico's children during long evenings of darkness this winter.
Project Partners
  • A major children’s book publisher has pledged to help with  deep discounts for purchases.

  • A family owned business that makes a wonderful and powerful book light has offered to provide these lights, also for a very deep discount.

  • Best yet, we have found a grateful and willing partner, The Puerto Rican Family Institute (a non-profit agency) that runs Head Start Programs in 15 affected municipalities serving over 1600 children.  Many of these sites are still closed but PRFI staff are bringing their programs to shelters and darkened homes.

Long-lasting Impact​​
​Finally, long after the power comes back, the power of reading and reading together as a family will continue.  So your gift now, will truly keep on giving!
Project Funding
Funds raised have been used for purchases of the books, lights, batteries and shipping expenses. The project goal is to provide at least one book to all 1600 children, as well as to their older siblings, and a book light to each household.

Thanks to our network of storytellers all around the world, to our families, friends,  to anyone who has ever been a little anxious in the dark and to everyone who has  experienced the pleasure of reading a book and knows the feeling of closeness of huddling together sharing a book or a story.

 All donations channeled through STNM have been acknowledged and are tax deductible.   
                   STNM is a 501 c 3 Nonprofit Corporation in the State of New Mexico.