Chicago Public Library is part of national El dia de los niños/El dia de los libros

Latino heritage and culture is the focus of El dia de los niños/El dia de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), being celebrated by two lively and engaging family book discussions. They are being presented by a partnership of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) and the Latino Parents Network starting Sat., Apr. 20 at 2 p.m. in the CPL Roosevelt Branch, 1101 W. Taylor St. 

Julia Alvarez’s novel Before We Were Free will be the first book discussed in the Dia Family Book Club (Nuestros Libros Para Todos). The second book, also by Alvarez, is How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay, which will be discussed on Sat., Apr. 27, at 2 p.m. 

In April, the Chicago Public Library joins libraries across the country in celebration of El dia de los niños/El dia de los libros also known as Dia. Culminating each year on April 30, Dia is an everyday celebration of children, families and reading that emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. 

Uniting Chicago families in celebration of award-winning literature written by Latino and Latina authors is the focus of Dia Family Book Club (Nuestros Libros Para Todos). The partnership with the Latino Parents Network and the Library’s Roosevelt Branch offers programs for families to share their love of literacy, libraries and lifelong learning. 

Madhatters at 2012 BooPaloosa in Wicker Park

In recognition of these programs, the Roosevelt Branch has been awarded a mini-grant from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) funded through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. These grants are administered by the Chicago Public Library Foundation. 

The Bucktown-Wicker Park Library will have a CPL story telling program for 3 to 5 year-olds on Apr. 20 at 10 a.m., 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave., and Humboldt Park Library will hold theirs at 11 a.m., 1605 N. Troy St.

West Town Library will be hosting the Mad Hatter's at 11 a.m. on Apr. 20 at 1625 W. Chicago Ave. Dressed up in crazy hats, members of the Junior League of Chicago perform books, poems and songs.