International Read to Me Day - March 19

We know how important reading is for children’s intellectual and social development. March 19th is READ TO ME! DAY to celebrate and support the reading process. We can all help children with their reading and the idea of marking one special day when we do that is just one part of a much bigger strategy.

This is an initiative by Award Winning Author, Publisher, Founder of Boogie Books and Public Speaker, Emma Mactaggart. "When we are read a story, we are transported to another land, another time, and we walk in the shoes of another person. In those moments, empathy for others is created, and this in-turn creates stronger communities," Mrs. Mactaggart said.

How to get involved?

A. Ambassadors  

1. Promote the global event (Sharing facebook link and press release and poster).
2. Encourage readers to participate.

 

B. Readers

 

1. Will use a calendly link to find a reading timeslot that suits them.  
2. Post a social media tile, and title of book / author / illustrator / publisher and let their network know what time they are reading live in the Facebook group.
3. Post a Facebook live – deleting the video afterwards (we are hoping that eventually will have permission from publishers to keep the videos in the groups feed.)
4. If self-published, or have permission from publisher, the video doesn’t have to be deleted.

For more information, please visit: https://www.readtomeday.com

PREVIOUS VIDEOS:

 

International Read to Me Day Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC35wcT2zzMLJI3cCugsyezQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77oYYh9cptc Flashback to what we have done in the past. 

And even cable tv https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21vEwGiOas

Through the use of social media on a global scale, International Read to Me! Day brings attention to the need and welcomes the involvement of those who wish to provide a solution.

I am so excited to be part of this project as USA Ambassador. I will read bilingual books in English and Spanish on March 18th at 3:00 pm ET.

Also, I will read amazing books from award winning authors on March 19th by Sherrill S. Cannon, Janet Balletta, Tere Rodriguez-Nora, Suzan Johnson and Jorge Luis Seco via FaceLive: https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalreadtomeday/?ref=share

 My Schedule Easter Time - Reading books by

11:00 am 

Janet Balletta

11:20 am 

Tere Rodriguez-Nora

11:30 am 

Sherrill S. Cannon

11:40 am 

Jorge Luis Seco

11:50 am 

Suzan Johnson

Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator, Translator and Publisher

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors, ANLMI Delegate, 

International Read to Me! Day Ambassador.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple Award, VCB Poetry Award, Latino Book Awards 2012 & Author’s Talk

St. Patrick - San Patricio

Each year on March 17th, many people dress green in honor of Saint Patrick.” It is a day to celebrate Irish Traditions. 

Why is Saint Patrick the patron Saint of Ireland? 

Patrick was a Christian missionary, but he was not actually Irish. He is recognized for converted Ireland to Christianity in the AD 400s.
What is the meaning of St. Patrick Day?
What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival. Irish culture or not, people celebrate with parades, special foods and wear green.
Who is St. Patrick?
Patrick was born around 375 A.D. in Britain. His Roman parents were Calpurnius and Conchess in charge of the colonies. They were wealthy. Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. Years later, he escaped and went back to Britain. 
In his own land, he became a priest and soon a well-know bishop. Patrick had several dreams about the suffering of the Irish people and returned to save them. There are several legends about what happened with Saint Patrick in Ireland. The most prominent claiming he met the chieftain of one of the druid tribes, who tried to kill him, but he was able to convert the chieftain and preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity: One Shamrock, but three leaves. As it is : One God in  THREE PERSONS (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. )

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Schools, churches and Irish families celebrate it differently. Some options to have fun on this day are:
1. Listen to this video 👉

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

2.  To learn more about their Irish heritage, read Irish folk and fairy tales: 
Visit: http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/fairytales/fr/irishfairytales.htm

3.   Saint Patrick's Eggs and Pancakes:

http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-shamrock-eggs-and-fruit.html

4. St. Patrick Coloring Page:

  http://www.catholicplayground.com/saint-patrick-coloring-page-march-17th/

                                                    

    Irish Blessing

¿Quién es San Patricio?

Patrick nació alrededor del 375 D.C. en Gran Bretaña. Sus padres romanos, Calpurnius y Conchess , estaban a cargo de las colonias. Ellos eran ricos y su hijo, Patricio, fue secuestrado y llevado a Irlanda. Años más tarde, escapó y volvió a Gran Bretaña.  En su tierra, se convirtió en un sacerdote y luego en un conocido obispo. Patricio tenía varios sueños sobre el sufrimiento del pueblo irlandés y volvió a socorrerlos. Hay varias leyendas sobre lo que sucedió con San Patricio en Irlanda. La historia más destacada es cuando se encontró con el cacique de una de las tribus de los druidas, quien trató de matarlo, pero él fue capaz de convertir al cacique y predicar el Evangelio a lo largo de Irlanda. San Patricio utilizaba el trébol para explicar el significado de la Santísima Trinidad (padre, hijo y Espíritu Santo). Tres en Uno.

Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator, Translator and Publisher

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors, ANLMI Delegate, 

International Read to Me! Day Ambassador.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple Award, VCB Poetry Award, Latino Book Awards 2012 & Author’s Talk

Reflexión a un año del inicio de la cuarentena 2020

¿Qué he aprendido de esta pandemia? - Reflexión Maritza M. Mejia

 

Ilustrado por Estella Mejía

COVID'19 apareció por una razón, no estoy segura de la realidad detrás de ello, sin embargo ha sido un año para evaluar y reevaluar nuestras prioridades. Tal vez el mundo necesitaba una pausa.

El tiempo actual está tomando un valor precioso. Mi mamá solía decirme, "Mijita, NO dejes para mañana lo que puedes hacer hoy." Ahora, entiendo el valor de esas palabras. Ésta cita bíblica tiene más sentido ahora: "Por lo tanto, no te preocupes por el mañana, porque mañana se preocupará por sí mismo". (Mateo 6:34). Estoy aprendiendo a vivir el momento presente más conscientemente sin preocuparme por el futuro, que no se si llegara, o el pasado que no puedo cambiar. Lo más importante que he aprendido es a vivir el momento presente en forma consiente nutriendo mi espíritu, mente y cuerpo con hábitos saludables. Vivir un día a la vez me ha ayudado a sobrevivir en calma el 2020-2021. Mi primera lección: Vivir de una manera consciente.

Cuando comenzó la cuarentena, estaba tomando una clase en línea para un Certificado de Post-grado en el que estoy trabajando. Me refugié en mi clase de espiritualidad y las horas de intenso estudio hicieron que mi día fuera más manejable. Mientras los templos estaban cerrados, la creatividad floreció para celebrar los servicios en línea en todo el mundo. Ésta manifestación de amor me ha demostrado que la iglesia no es un edificio, sino una comunidad de fe. Mi segunda lección: cuando la adversidad llega, la creatividad florece.

Vivo en una pequeña ciudad, en general, sé que ha sido difícil acostumbrarse a usar una mascarilla facial que cubre tu boca y nariz y empaña tus gafas –si las usas–. Sin embargo, es vital seguir las reglas de seguridad y distanciamiento para protegernos mutuamente. Se ha reconocido que comer sano, hacer ejercicio, hacer yoga, caminar por la casa son formas útiles de cuidar el cuerpo. Esto ha demostrado que no sólo los hábitos saludables son la clave para sobrevivir a una crisis de pandemia, sino también para tener una mejor vida. Es cuestión de tiempo, colaboración, paciencia e implementación de protocolos para ajustarnos a esta nueva realidad. Mi tercera lección: Nuevas normas están aquí para quedarse.

Una muestra de las nuevas normas es el tele-trabajo desde casa y las reuniones de Zoom con amigos, familiares, colegas y lectores. Esto ha sido una experiencia muy interesante. Al principio era extraño charlar a través de la pantalla, algunas personas eran informales, estaba en pijama, sin maquillaje, ni peinadas. Eso no lo encontré muy apropiado para iniciar una nueva normalidad. Yo decidí dar el ejemplo vistiéndome profesionalmente siguiendo las pocas reglas de etiqueta virtual que existían. Mi cuarta lección: No tengamos miedo a los cambios.

De la misma forma, trabajando en la segunda Tri-Antología LuzDelMes que estaba planeada a presentarse en la primavera en Japón, he aprendido la importancia de trabajar en colaboración dejando a un lado el individualismo. La Tri-Antología 2020 se lanzó vía Zoom en una Conferencia de dos días. Fue emocionante conectarse con autores de todo el mundo durante tres sesiones en tres idiomas en línea. Finalmente, me complace haberme aventurado a usar la plataforma de Zoom para comunicación virtual. Mi quinta lección: Estamos en la era del colectivismo.

La cuarentena y el distanciamiento social han sido un impacto en todos y cada uno de los seres humanos en la tierra; lo hemos experimentado de diferentes maneras. Pero todos tenemos una cosa en común: extrañamos un abrazo y ahora reconocemos su valor. Mi leccion más valiosa: Un abrazo es una bendición. 

COVID'19 vino por una razón, preparémonos para la próxima crisis o virus. Estamos virtualmente en esto juntos. ¡No estamos solos!  El SEÑOR es mi luz y mi salvación; ¿a quién debo temer? Salmo 27:1

¿Y tú qué has aprendido?...

Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator, Translator and Publisher

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors, ANLMI Delegate, 

International Read to Me! Day Ambassador.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple Award, VCB Poetry Award, Latino Book Awards 2016 & Author’s Talk

What I learned about myself through this pandemic years?

 Article by Maritza M. Mejia - March, 2021

Created by Estella M. Mejia

COVID’19 appeared for a reason, I am not sure of the reality behind it; however, it has been a year to evaluate, reassess and silence the rush in my writing career. The world seemed to spin out of control, maybe we all needed a pause to reevaluate our priorities.

First, I have learned to live the present more conscious than ever and nourish my spirit, mind and body with healthy habits and hideaway from COVID' news. Living in a mindfulness way have made me strong to survive the 2020-2021 crazy years. 

 Second, when quarantine began on March 13th, I was taking an online class for a Post-Degree in Theology for Educators. In my heart, I was getting ready for a change and I took refuge in my intense hours of study. I valued my faith that kept me in peace of mind during the five months without job. There is no need to worry about tomorrow. "Tomorrow will bring its own worries." (Matthew 6:34).

Third, Zooming with friends, family and readers has been an interesting experience. At first it was strange to chat across the screen, some people were casual, others did not know were they were doing. I rather took a professional position to dress for success everyday even on virtual meetings. Each day, I was entered to my studio to enjoy my work by reading, writing, studyng and connecting with myself.

 When my eighth book was ready to publish, I did not panic, I launched the LuzDelMes Tri-Anthology 2020 virtually. Moreover, I ventured to prepare a Worldwide Zoom Conference with the participants of this lovely Anthology written in three languages (English, Spanish and Greek) that reflects our feelings during quarantine.  I am pleased to challenge myself out of the comfort zone to use this platform and learned something new. 

Fourth thing I learned about myself was that I do not afraid of changes. I think it is a great accomplishment and important quality during a pandemic year. The new norms are here to stay according to the circumstances and we all have taken different roads to adjust and implement. Working together as a collective effort, may help us find our best selves with a thankful heart. 

Finally, my last lesson during quarantine and social distance have been to recogniz the value of a hug and appreciation of every single thing we enjoy. Now, I can say a hug is a blessing before I took it for granted. Maybe, you can think the same. With grateful heart I begin and end each day. We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow.

A tiny virus came to confirm the priorities of life. COVID’19 came to help us count our blessings and pause on our rush lives. We are not alone. We have survived a pandemic chaos. 

For those of you who have lost loves ones, I send you my prayers and condolences. Please, give yourself permission to grieve and take one day at a time. Remember, The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

And you, what did you learn about yourself in this pandemic years?

Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator, Translator and Publisher

Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors, ANLMI Delegate, 

International Read to Me! Day Ambassador.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple Award, VCB Poetry Award, Latino Book Awards 2016 & Author’s Talk