Blog by Chien, Polina, Tandy, Yasmeen, and the Spanish Language Programming Team
Día is held on April 30, and is short for Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children's Day/Books Day). Día originally began as Día del Niño, a holiday celebrated in many Latin American cultures as Children’s Day. On this day, children are honored with games, activities, performances, toys, and prizes to enjoy the wonders of childhood and this joyful time. In many Spanish-speaking countries, Día del Niño is a celebratory event. Schools often present field trips, picnics, fairs, or minimal days to give kids opportunities to have fun and enjoy their day.
On April 30, 1997, Día del Niño officially became Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (Día), transforming this day into a celebration of both children and their books. Día takes Día del Niño one step further by recognizing that children come from various backgrounds, cultures, languages, and abilities, and their books should reflect this. As a result, Día has become a day focusing on children, families, early literacy, diversity, and culture.
For more Día information: ALA Día History
Celebrate with AC Library!
In celebration of Día, AC library will be hosting in person and virtual multicultural events for children and families. Keep a lookout for bookmarks, crafts, and giveaway books available at each location.
Storytimes
- Bilingual Tagalog/English - at Union City Library on April 15 at 12:15 pm.
- Bilingual Tamil/English - at Newark Library on April 18 at 12:15 pm
- 中英雙語故事時間 Mandarin/English Bilingual – at Fremont Main Library on April 20 and April 27 at 1:30 pm.
- Noche de Cuentos en Español (Spanish) – virtual on April 24 at 6 pm
- Bilingual Spanish/English - at Centerville Library on April 25 at 10:30 am
- It’s Storytime (English) - at Fremont Main Library on April 25 at 1 pm
- Bilingual Mandarin/English - Castro Valley Library on April 26 at 10 am
- Toddler Storytime and Stay N’ Play – at Fremont Main Library on April 26 at 11:15 am
- Bilingual Mandarin/English - at Centerville Library on April 26 at 2:30 pm
- Preschool Storytime (English) - at Fremont Main Library on April 27 at 11:15 am
- Bilingual Spanish/English - at Newark Library on April 29 at 11 am
Programs and Events
- Author Visit with Meg Fleming – at Dublin Library on April 17 at 4:30 pm
- Music and Movement with Mr. Daniel – at Castro Valley Library on April 19 at 10:30 am
- Día Fair – at Centerville Library on April 22 at 2 pm
- Germar the Magician – at Newark Library on April 29 at 12 pm
- El día de los niños Crafts at Newark Library on April 29 at 1 pm
eResources for Early Literacy
Día recognizes that literacy and learning is a joint effort between children and caregivers. Below are some electronic resources to help build up early literacy skills.
- ReadyRosie: This free online resource provides several quick videos on how to apply early literacy skills in everyday situations. From going grocery shopping to playing at the park, there are learning opportunities everywhere that will help children develop valuable early literacy skills. Available in English and Spanish.
- Early Literacy Calendar: This calendar features daily early literacy activities that families can work on together. These activities focus on early literacy skills of reading, writing, talking, counting, singing, and playing. Available in English and Spanish.
- Overdrive Kids’ Reading Room: This Overdrive feature provides eBooks and eAudiobooks for kids. Some of these books are also available in community languages, including Spanish, Chinese, French, and more.
- Hoopla Binge Passes: This Hoopla feature provides a bundle of eBooks and/or eAudiobooks in categories, such as STEAM, world learning, social-emotional learning, and more. There is also a Spanish kid’s books collection.
- LOTE4Kids: Check out free read-along eBooks (picture books) in over 50 languages. This electronic resource now includes American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and Australian Sign Language.
- Discover and Go: This program allows members to use their library card to request free or reduced-cost tickets to museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other local cultural locations.
Learning Together
Like the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Below are some additional resources to support parents and caregivers.
- Parenting Collection: Find this collection at your local library. Browse through books for kids and adults on various parenting topics, such as developmental stages, health and wellness, social-emotional learning, and more. Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and more.
- Family Paths: This nonprofit organization provides free, confidential mental health and parenting support to families. Family Path also provides a free Parenting Stress Helpline, which has access to translation services in hundreds of languages. Call 800-829-3777.
For more information and family/parenting resources: https://aclibrary.org/families/
AC Library Language Survey
AC Library wants its collection to include the languages you speak and read. Take this survey to help us add the books and movies you want! The survey is available in 30 different languages.
Reading Together
Día is also Book Day. Below are book lists featuring multicultural and multilingual books to celebrate the diverse backgrounds and cultures of children around the world.
Dia is short for Dia de los niños/Dia de los libros (Children's Day/Books Day). Dia is recognized internationally on April 30th, and is a day to celebrate children, literacy, diversity, and culture. Celebrate Dia with these multicultural and multilingual book suggestions for ages 0-7.
Dia is short for Dia de los niños/Dia de los libros (Children's Day/Books Day). Dia is recognized internationally on April 30th, and is a day to celebrate children, literacy, diversity, and culture. Celebrate Dia with these multicultural book suggestions for ages 8-12 .
Dia is short for Dia de los niños/Dia de los libros (Children's Day/Books Day). Dia is recognized internationally on April 30th, and is a day to celebrate children, literacy, diversity, and culture. Celebrate Dia with these multicultural book suggestions for teens.
Dia is short for Dia de los niños/Dia de los libros (Children's Day/Books Day). Dia is recognized internationally on April 30th, and is a day to celebrate children, literacy, diversity, and culture. Celebrate Dia with these multicultural and multilingual parenting book suggestions for kids and their caregivers. Please check out the parenting collection at your local library for more great titles.
