This is a sponsored conversation in collaboration with Read Conmigo and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own.
Most of you know I’m biracial – my mother is Mexican American. Growing up, I didn’t really speak Spanish, but I somehow understood everything I heard my mother saying when she was speaking on the phone to my Tia or Abuela (puro chismes). Today, I can speak much more Spanish than I could back then- it may not be perfect- but folks can understand me & know what I’m talking about.
I’m trying to raise my kids to be bilingual, knowing another language is so important, and I want them to be proud of their Latino roots. Every chance I get, I’m rattling off words in Spanish to them, trying to get them to commit them to memory. They may only be 1/4 Mexican, but they can still habla espanol, no?! Si! Como que no- my kids are getting a head start on being bilingual and I’m so happy about that. 
Here’s another thing I’m happy about, Read Conmigo (Read With Me).
DID YOU KNOW?
Less than 2% of children’s books written last year were Latino-themed, and only 1.5 percent (or 48 books) of the 3,200 children’s works published in 2013 (in the U.S.) were written by Latino authors. In an effort to change these dismal statistics, one book at a time, the nationally recognized bilingual literacy program Read Conmigo, is introducing the “Preserving our Culture through Bilingual Literacy” contest for budding Latino children’s book authors based in the Southern California area.
Read Conmigo is a bilingual literacy program that supplies parents, teachers, and students with FREE bilingual books in English & Spanish. They also have online resources for children in Preschool – 5th grade. Read Conmigo, (sponsored by Infinity Auto Insurance), is a literacy program that promotes English and Spanish and it’s FREE to everyone. If your kids are in Preschool – 5th grade, and you want to raise them to be bilingual, you’ll want to check out this program. To date, they have distributed 800,000 new books to kids, WOW!
Registered members can download the Read Conmigo Library to any smartphone or tablet. Register on the website ReadConmigo.com and/or download the app at iTunes or GooglePlay. You can also text the word “READ” to 323-767-8811.
DO YOU ASPIRE TO BE A LATINO AUTHOR? OR KNOW ONE?!
Many years ago, I wrote a short children’s story- I’ve been holding on to that story ever since. I’d love to have it published one day. Here’s YOUR chance to get YOUR story published to the “Preserving Our Culture Through Bilingual Literacy” Contest! Get your story written (you must include one of the featured characters, like Violet Velascow, or one of the others) and enter by Oct. 31, 2014.
There’s $1,000 in prize money up for grabs… that’s a lot of dinero! Here are the deets. Hurry and enter soon!
- Author Profile – Must be from Southern California 18 years old or over, of Latino origin; no prior published work or writing experience necessary.
- Target Reader – All submissions should be suitable for reading levels Pre-K through 5th grade.
- Language – Story must be submitted in both English and Spanish.
- Characters- Story must include one or more of the Read Conmigo characters.
- Word count: Minimum is 400 words; maximum length is 1500 words.
How amazing would it be to win?! Good luck!
