Asociacion Hispana de Mississippi -- Mississippi Hispanic Association

The “Luciérnagas Family Reading Program” is a literacy program, developed by the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) and offered by the Mississippi Hispanic Association, which focuses on marginally literate Hispanic parents and their lower elementary age children across the state. Its goal is to encourage increased reading among its target audience. In order to present reading and children’s literature, a storyteller and humanities scholar employ read-aloud and group discussion techniques in presenting award winning children’s books (in both English and Spanish). Books have been selected to address ethical and values issues such as environmental responsibility, fairness, courage, coping, and determination.

At the close of every session a small meal or nutritious snack will be served. (This is very important to parents with young children coming to what is usually a late afternoon/early evening program.) The program is scheduled to run for seven continuous weeks with each session lasting an hour and a half.

When: Seven consecutive Wednesdays beginning June 21st and ending August 2nd

Where: Pearl Public Library

“Luciérnagas” On-Site Coordinator & Liaison: Lizbeth Jimena Velásquez

Mississippi Humanities Council Project Specialist: David Morgan

Storyteller: Melisa Preuss-Muñoz

Humanities Scholar: Amy Williamson

Child Care Attendant: Marcela Lopez

“Community Infomercial” Speakers:

Pam Berberette, Mississippi Public Broadcasting Educational Services
Tito Echiburú, Bank of Morton
Eloise Lopez, University Medical Center Spanish Education Specialist
Michael Ann Oropeza, Catholic Charities
Cecilia Sandifer, Pearl Public Library Manager

COMING SOON_________________________________________________________

The “Luciérnagas Family Reading Program” is coming to Vicksburg this fall!

Download the PDF application to apply.
Tentative agenda

40-45 minutes Discussion leader and storyteller read and discuss books participants received at previous week’s session.

5 minutes Discussion leader and storyteller introduce books for the next week.

5 minutes Draw for door prizes

5-10 minutes Present “community infomercial.”

15-20 minutes Serve refreshments; distribute books for next week; and check-in books returned from previous sessions

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June 21st SESSION 1 CARING FOR THE NATURAL WORLD

The Lorax * by Dr. Seuss with Spanish Translation by Aida E. Marcuse

The Woman Who Outshone the Sun ** (from a poem by Alejandro Cruz Martinez) adapted by Rosalma Zubizarreta, Harriet Rohmer, and David Schecter

Platero y Yo ** (the Moon; Christmas) by Nobel Prize author Juan Ramón Jiménez

Speaker: Cecilia Sandifer

June 28th SESSION 2 FAIRNESS

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs * by Jon Scieszka

Magic Dogs of the Volcanoes ** by Manlio Argueta with English translation by Stacey Ross

Platero y Yo ** (Wreath of Parsley, The Fireworks)

Speaker: Eloise Lopez

July 5th SESSION 3 COPING

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day * by Judith Viorst

Magda’s Tortillas ** by Becky Chavarria-Chairez

Tell Me a Cuento ** (No Way, Jose) by Joe Hayes

Platero y Yo ** (Happiness)

Speaker: Tito Echiburú

July 12th SESSION 4 COURAGE

Where the Wild Things Are * by Maurice Sendack with Spanish translation by Teresa Mlawer

Where the Fireflies Dance ** by Lucha Corpi

Tell Me a Cuento ** (The Terrible Tragadabas)

Platero y Yo ** (Games at Dusk; The Little Cart)

Speaker: Michael Ann Oropeza

July 19th SESSION 5 IDENTITY/HERITAGE

Pepita Talks Twice ** by Ofelia Dumas Lachtman

The Festival of Bones ** by Luis San Vicente

Tell Me a Cuento ** (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Oh)

Platero y Yo ** (Rubber Stamp)

Speaker: Pam Berberette

July 26th SESSION 6 FAMILY BONDING

Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup ** by Diane Gonzales Bertrand

The Upside Down Boy ** by Juan Felipe Herrera

Tell Me a Cuento ** (Mariposa, Mariposa)

Platero y Yo ** (The Bread)

Speaker: Open

August 2 SESSION 7 FESTIVAL!

Salsa ** by Lillian Colón-Vilá

Speaker: Esperanza Velasquez, MHA

* also in Spanish

** bilingual