Author Kevin Gerard generously donated 50 copies of his book, El Dragón de Diego, for our library reading programs. We purchased more than 75 additional copies for a six week reading program in April and May, 2017. 5th and 6th grade students were invited to read about a young Latino boy who wins the statue of a dragon in a school writing contest. The dragon, whom he names Magnifico, comes to life the moment Diego touches it. What unfolds is a magical and mystical journey exploring the themes of family, trust, connections to the past, and spirituality.
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Each week, students - assisted by Spanish-speaking volunteers - read and discussed the book, had a snack and worked to create their own papier mache dragons. Non-Spanish speaking volunteers had worked behind the scenes to create the dragon skeletons which formed the basis of the amazing creations you see below.
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A panel of judges selected 3 winning entries for awards at the program finale at IMAC on the afternoon of May 20, where the young readers met the author in person.
The author; his delightful translator Jennifer Bustamente; the artist; the FOL member, Yolanda Espinoza, who introduced us to Diego's Dragon; the volunteers - Spanish-speaking and not; the librarians; our Program directors and Board members who planned and executed the program.... this is the village - dedicated to promoting reading in our community - that made it happen.
The author; his delightful translator Jennifer Bustamente; the artist; the FOL member, Yolanda Espinoza, who introduced us to Diego's Dragon; the volunteers - Spanish-speaking and not; the librarians; our Program directors and Board members who planned and executed the program.... this is the village - dedicated to promoting reading in our community - that made it happen.