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Columbia Elementary School

Columbia Elementary Selected for Latinx Book Creators School Visit

head shot of librarian Roxana Vanatta

Roxana Vanatta

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival (LKBF) and our sponsor, Penguin Random House, has announced that Columbia Elementary has been selected as a recipient of a Latinx Book Creators School Visit. The visit includes a live, one-hour virtual visit from an author or illustrator. 

Columbia’s Librarian, Roxana Vanatta, said she found out about the Festival through social media and applied in December. “... to be selected as a school is a huge honor and a fantastic opportunity for students to see themselves reflected in the books written by authors with similar backgrounds said, Vanatta. 

The Latinx KidLit Book Festival was created in 2020 during the COVID pandemic by members of Las Musas Books with the aim to connect Latinx authors and illustrators with readers and educators in classrooms around the globe. Since then, and with the help of countless volunteers, the festival has continued to foster a love of story and literacy and increase empathy and conversation among educators, students, and book lovers while uplifting the voices of Latinx Kidlit book creators.

Vanatta explained, “When students see themselves in the stories told through the eyes of someone familiar with their culture, language, and home life. This creates a positive image. This tells our students they matter as unique individuals in a multilingual and multicultural society.” She believes exposure teaches non-Latinx students tolerance, kindness, empathy, and an appreciation of other cultures and people they interact with at school and in the community.

Upcoming Events

April 1

Spring Break (No School)

Start: Apr 1, 2024 End: Apr 5, 2024

Multi-Day Event

April 9

Board Meeting

6:00 PM

April 15

Board Workshop

1:00 PM

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