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K-State Today

November 4, 2024

Nazario collaborates with Manhattan Public Library on Spanish-English bilingual events

Submitted by Jeffrey Zamostny

Claudia Nazario with children's books for bilingual story time at Manhattan Public Library

Claudia Nazario, teaching assistant professor of Spanish in the modern languages department, has collaborated with the Manhattan Public Library to offer several bilingual events in Spanish and English in fall 2024.

"¡Cuenta cuentos! Tell tales!" is a bilingual story time designed for children ages three through eight. The event features readings in Spanish and English of books by Latinx authors and illustrators. Each session also encompasses songs, crafts and a limited supply of free books for participants. Upcoming sessions will take place from 11-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 16 and 23, at the Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Ave.

The series culminates from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, with the Mock Pura Belpré Awards, also at the Manhattan Public Library, with an option to attend via Zoom. Participants will view, discuss and vote on the best Latinx picture books of 2024 in preparation for the American Library Association's announcement of the Pura Belpré Award in January 2025. The award goes to "a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth." The English department's Mock Caldecott Award ceremony will take place on the same day following refreshments from 1:30-2:15 p.m.

These events are a collaboration between Nazario, the modern languages department, the English department and the Manhattan Public Library. Generous support was provided by the Chapman Center for Rural Studies. Thanks to a grant from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, the events will take place again in 2025.