Free Books and Free Fun at Yakima Libraries This Month

A day for children. That's what Yakima Valley Libraries is planning later this month. The libraries will host two fun, family events at the Yakima Central and Sunnyside libraries, along with drop-in activities at all other community libraries, in celebration of Children’s Day/El Día de los Ninos. Free books are part of the fun as well.

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KIDS CAN GRAB A FREE BOOK AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN

Library officials say children and teens at the Yakima and Sunnyside events will be able to grab a free book to take home. They say since 1925 "Children’s Day/El Día de los Niños, or Día as it is commonly known, has been celebrated in Mexico and several other Latin American countries on April 30 as a day set aside to focus on the well-being of children and the importance of childhood."

THE LOCAL CELEBRATION HAS BIG ROOTS IN SOUTH AMERICA 

"In 1996, Pat Mora, a children’s book author and leading figure in Hispanic literature, first learned about Mexico’s Día celebrations. She proposed a similar, literacy-focused celebration in the United States, which quickly became a national initiative. Now, as celebrated by libraries and librarians, Children’s Day/El Día de los Niños, focuses on literacy, children, families, multiculturalism, multilingualism, and the importance of reading together.

CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY IS AN AIM OF THE EVENT

"Not only are these events an important reflection of the diversity and culture of the Yakima Valley, they provide an opportunity for Yakima Valley Libraries to better connect with the whole community,” said programming librarian, Krystal Corbray. She added, “And, as library staff, we get to engage in one of the most fun and impactful parts of our work: promoting the value of strong literacy skills and the many ways the library can help turn young readers into lifelong learners.”

HOW IS YVL CELEBRATING DIA?·

Yakima Central Library - Día Event Schedule
Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 2:00pm -- Drop-in crafts & activities, including:

§  10:30am-11:00am: Musical performance by the YAMA Youth Orchestra

§  11:00am-11:30am: Storytime

§  1:00pm-2:00pm: Musical performance by the YAMA Youth Orchestra, followed by an instrument show & tell with the students

SUNNYSIDE EVENTS

o   Sunnyside Community Library - Día Event Schedule

Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 2:30pm -- Drop-in crafts & activities, including:

§  10:30am-11:00am: Bilingual storytime

§  11:15am-12:00pm  &  1:15pm-2:00pm: Lotería (Mexican Bingo)

§  12:00pm - 12:30pm: Performances by students from Valley Performer Arts

§  12:45pm - 2:30pm: Family-friendly movie time

o   Community Library Drop-In Crafts