This blog post is by Samantha N., Latinx Services Librarian.
The tradition of celebrating Día (Children’s Day/Book Day/El Día De La Niñez/el Día De Los Libros) is an important part of Tucson’s Heritage!
In fact, did you know that the idea to start celebrating Día in the U.S. started right here in Tucson, Arizona?
Many countries celebrate Children’s Day. Mexico, for example, celebrates Children’s Day each year on April 30th, “a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children.” Author and poet Pat Mora learned about this tradition while being interviewed in Tucson in 1996. According to the American Library Association, following this interview, “realizing that the United States had nothing similar, Pat proposed linking Children's Day, the celebration of childhood and children, with literacy and bilingualism, creating a new holiday: El día de los niños/El día de los libros.” Mora worked with multiple organizations, including REFORMA, to establish and plan this celebration. Tucson was one of the first cities to host a Día celebration in 1997!
Do you want to celebrate bookjoy and the children in your life with Pima County Public Library? The Caviglia-Arivaca Library (17050 W. Arivaca Rd.) is having a Día Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
You can also read one of the books from this booklist that includes books by Pat Mora as well as other books that honor the spirit of Día. The American Library Association (ALA) has its own booklists divided by reading level. As their website states, “The 2025 Día booklists - in English & Spanish! - provide engaging stories representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds to share with children from birth through 8th grade.”
Do you want to take action for libraries in honor of Día? Check out the ALA’s web page on Everyday Advocacy.
For more information about Día, visit https://www.ala.org/alsc/initiatives/dia.
