June 20, 2009

Karina Walker, author of Kids Work Too, wrote:

"On June 19, I represented 'Kids' Books Bolivia' at a reception for graduating anthropology majors and their parents at Northwestern University.  The director of undergraduates for Northwestern's Anthropology Department specializes in childhood anthropology and has been hugely supportive of 'Kids' Books Bolivia.'  She invited me to set up a table which displayed the books and our website along with a letter written by Julia Steege and Elizabeth Henley explaining the mission of the reciprocity project. Julia and Elizabeth, author and illustrator of Esperanza, were among the graduates being honored at this event.

I was pleasantly suprised by how many parents stopped by the table, asked questions, and read the books. One mom even proudly told me she was able to read them in Spanish. It was truly a joy for me to see people's enthusiasm for the project and I always love an excuse to talk about Bolivia."

May 1, 2009

Nadine Channaoui, author of My Mommy Is Not in Bolivia with Me wrote:

"I shared my book-writing experience with members of World Learning during an event on April 30 that helped to launch the First Giving fundraising sites.  It was wonderful to talk with people about our meaningful reciprocity project that directly corresponded to the goals of the organization.  Furthermore, I was able to connect with various alumni, leaders, and Academic Directors from different countries, which was a great opportunity to receive feedback and to diffuse the idea of children's books as ISPs.  The best treat was seeing Ismael, who gave a beautiful introduction of me at the event (and a huge hug of course)!"

May 11, 2009

Spring 2009 authors Will Brunnquell and Mikaela Lefrak presented their respective books Spirit of the Miners and The Biggest Laugh in the World on May 12 in Cochabamba, Bolivia to the SIT Bolivia program and local children, including members of children's library "Th'uruchipitas" and "Atillka", a youth organization and community library network in Cochabamba. 

Introductory comments were made by Gaby Vallejo, well-known Bolivian writer and founder of "Th'uruchipitas." Ms. Vallejo has been the independent study project advisor for six "Kids' Books Bolivia" authors since Fall 2008.  Click here for more information about Gaby Vallejo and "Th'uruchipitas" Children's Library.

Closing comments were made by Teo Fulguri Vicara of "Atillka" Community Library Network.  Click here for more information about "Atillka."

May 10, 2009

Spring 2009 student Rossana Espinoza was born in La Paz, Bolivia and immigrated with her family to the U.S. when she was ten years old.  She returned to her native Bolivia for the first time in 10 years as an SIT student.  She conducted independent study promoting reading for Bolivian children with several libraries in Cochabamba.  

 Rossana writes: 

 "I wanted to do activities to make reading more fun.  I chose books that were made in Bolivia and had stories that were connected with Bolivian culture. I wanted to promote an interest in national books to cultivate an incentive for these children.  The SIT books provided good stories and scenarios which the children could relate to, as in My Mommy Is Not in Bolivia with Me.  I gave the kids origami activities that could fit in with the stories of the books.  In the case of Kids Work Too, we made the artifacts that the kids used in the book and juggled with them like they did.   All in all, my experience was amazing. I learned so much about the kids that I encountered and I hope they learned the same from me."

April 7, 2009

An article and photo album about Heidi Baer-Postigo and the Kids' Books Bolivia reciprocity project were published on "The World Learning NOW (Notes on the World) weblog," a channel for tapping into the people, ideas and stories that make up World Learning's active global community. 

Click here to see the photo album and to read the article "SIT Study Abroad Academic Director Heidi Baer-Postigo Contributes through the 'Bilingual Children's Literature Reciprocity Project."

April 6, 2009

You can now donate money to the Kids' Book Bolivia reciprocity project through a social fundraising website called Firstgiving.  Several people have set up fundraising pages for Kids' Book Bolivia.

Click to donate at Heidi Baer-Postigo's Fundraising Page.
Click to donate at Nadine Channaoui's Fundraising Page.
Click to donate at John Fox's Fundraising Page.

March 31, 2009

Nadine Channaoui, author of My Mommy is Not in Bolivia with Me wrote:

"I was selected to present my book-writing experience in the Brandeis Experiential Learning Symposium on March 26, which celebrated students' exploration, discovery, and innovation.  Through an oral presentation and visual slide show, I was able to share my motivations for writing the book, the biggest challenges I encountered during my field-work, and the various personal rewards I attained from the project.  The feedback I received was phenomenal.  Before I had a chance to stand up from my seat after the session, I was surrounded by professors and students who wanted to congratulate me and inquire about the book.  It was wonderful to have the opportunity to articulate my experience, as many times I am left speechless when I think about the entire book-writing process and my experience abroad.  It was also incredibly rewarding to see how well received my book was in the Brandeis community.

March 23, 2008

Rebecca Brown, author of My Quinoa Grows wrote:

"While my quinoa book focused on the globalization of quinoa, I am currently writing a children's book that is going to focus on the globalization of language (more or less).  When I was in Nicaragua working for the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) last summer I won a grant to start English classes at the organization I was working with.  This next book is going to incorporate a lot of the thoughts and ideas of the children I was working with while in Nicaragua. I am still hoping to visit the Bolivian community in Virginia to see if there is a way I can work with them to write a children's book in the future.

My school is going to be writing a blurb about me and the book in the Gettysburg alumni magazine.  I have an interview on Wednesday and a photo shoot with me and the book on Friday.  I continue to be overwhelmed with the response I have gotten by others regarding my book.  I am starting to develop a large list of people who would like to purchase one of my books. 

I miss Bolivia every day as well as the motivation I felt while working on my independent study.  Writing my children's book was the most personally rewarding experience I have ever had.  The project touched on so many of my interests; my love for Latin American and indigenous cultures, my love of children, and my passion for art.  Since the book project fits so well with everything I love to do I am thinking more and more that writing bilingual children's books is something I really want to pursue in the future."

March 18, 2009

Laura Fries, author of All the Space You Could Want wrote:

"I am putting a copy of my book in the Oberlin College library, where it will be accessible for use by students participating in a program called Spanish in the Elementary Schools (SITES).  SITES is an IB accredited program in which Oberlin College students teach classes at the local public schools, from kindergarten through fifth grade. 

I provided my sister Kristen Fries with a copy, where she reads it to her class of preschool kids at Child Learning and Care Center in Seattle. 

I put a copy in the public library in my home town of Bow, NH."

February 16, 2009

Karina Walker, author of Kids Work Too wrote:

"I have really enjoyed showing the books to professors, advisors, and various others. I have especially enjoyed giving copies of the book to several family friends who are teachers and who plan to add the books to their classrooms' libraries.

I just got some exciting news from my parents. They are part of a fellowship group through our church that got really excited about our project when my parents showed them the books. This group would like to put out a loan toward our project and getting the books printed."