Celebrating Children, Books, and Community: Día de los Niños at Broad Rock Library

Every year on April 30, children are celebrated across Mexico during Día del Niño—a tradition that began in 1924 to honor and advocate for the rights and well-being of children. Over time, this joyful day has grown into a nationwide celebration filled with laughter, learning, and love.

In 1996, author and poet Pat Mora was inspired by this meaningful holiday and helped bring it to the United States. In partnership with the American Library Association and REFORMA, she expanded the celebration into Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros– Children’s Day/Book Day. This special day highlights not only the importance of children, but also the power of books, literacy, and bilingual storytelling.

Today, libraries and community organizations across the country celebrate with vibrant events that bring families together through stories, culture, and connection.

Right here in Richmond, Broad Rock Library has proudly hosted its own Día de los Niños celebration for the past five years. Located in the heart of a thriving Spanish-speaking community, the library’s event has become a beloved tradition—welcoming families with bilingual stories, helpful community resources, fun giveaways, and plenty of surprises.

And this year promises to be just as exciting!

Join us on Saturday, April 25th, from 12:00–3:00 PM at 4820 Old Warwick Rd. for an afternoon full of joy and discovery. Families can enjoy:

Bilingual storytime in English and Spanish
Interactive games and activities for all ages
Free books to take home (while supplies last)
A limited-edition Ripple plushie (while supplies last!)
Information about local resources for families
Delicious popsicles from La Michoacana

Whether you’re a longtime attendee or joining us for the first time, Día de los Niños at Broad Rock Library is a wonderful way to celebrate children, reading, and the vibrant culture that makes our community so special.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Book fiesta! : celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day = celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros : a bilingual picture book

Pat Mora

This Pura Belpré Award-winning picture book is a bilingual ride through the joyous history of Children’s Day/El día de los niños.

Children’s Day/Book Day; El día de los niños/El día de los libros has been observed on April 30th for over twelve years. Founder Pat Mora’s jubilant celebration of this day features imaginative text and lively illustrations by award-winning illustrator Rafael López that will turn this bilingual fiesta into a hit for story time! Toon! Toon!

The book includes a letter from the author and suggestions for celebrating Children’s Day /El día de los niños.

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

Samantha R. Vamos Illustrated by Rafael López

A cumulative tale of a farm maiden who, aided by a group of animals, prepares “Arroz con Leche,” or rice pudding. Includes recipe and glossary of the Spanish words that are woven throughout the text.

Moon rope : a Peruvian folktale = Un lazo a la luna : una leyenda peruana

Lois Ehlert

An adaptation of the Peruvian folktale in which Fox and Mole try to climb to the moon on a rope woven of grass.

Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing up Latino in the United States

Lori Carlson, editor

Cover of Cool Salsa a poetry collection edited by Lori Carlson.

Poems celebrating Hispanic culture are the focus of this collection. Liberal sprinkling of Spanish words and phrases with some poems translated from one language to another make this an ideal anthology for both the English class and the bilingual ESL classroom. Topics for poems extend from hot dogs to learning English to the revolution in Nicaragua. What all of the selections have in common is the adolescent experience at the core of the poem.