WEBVTT 00:13.350 --> 00:14.910 align:start >> Maria Thurber: Hello, everybody, 00:14.910 --> 00:16.860 align:start and welcome to the Hispanic Reading Room. 00:16.860 --> 00:19.900 align:start My name is Dani Thurber, and I am a reference librarian here 00:19.900 --> 00:21.690 align:start in the Hispanic Division. 00:21.690 --> 00:25.620 align:start We are here to celebrate a National Hispanic Heritage Month 00:25.620 --> 00:28.220 align:start staple in the Library of Congress, 00:28.220 --> 00:31.610 align:start the 26th Annual Americas Award. 00:31.610 --> 00:35.060 align:start This year, we added additional events, including earlier today, 00:35.060 --> 00:36.700 align:start an author reading with Francie Latour, 00:36.700 --> 00:38.900 align:start who read from this year's honored book, 00:38.900 --> 00:41.760 align:start "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings." 00:41.760 --> 00:45.250 align:start Following the ceremony, join us for a hands-on workshop inspired 00:45.250 --> 00:48.650 align:start by Duncan Donatiuh's award-winning work, 00:48.650 --> 00:51.430 align:start "Undocumented, A Worker's Fight," 00:51.430 --> 00:54.760 align:start and the treasured Mesoamerican codices that are part 00:54.760 --> 00:56.060 align:start of the Library's collection. 00:56.060 --> 00:59.210 align:start We will create a collective work to be on display 00:59.210 --> 01:01.960 align:start in the Hispanic Reading Room through Hispanic Heritage Month. 01:01.960 --> 01:04.350 align:start A reception and book sale 01:04.350 --> 01:07.080 align:start for this year's commented titles will follow the ceremony 01:07.080 --> 01:08.380 align:start as well. 01:08.380 --> 01:11.550 align:start And now, I will pass the mike to Dr. Suzanne Schadl, 01:11.550 --> 01:13.510 align:start chief of the Hispanic Division. 01:13.510 --> 01:20.260 align:start [ Applause ] 01:20.260 --> 01:21.560 align:start >> Suzanne Schadl: Welcome. 01:21.560 --> 01:23.280 align:start I hope that that clapping was for Dani Thurber. 01:23.280 --> 01:26.510 align:start So if you would just clap again for Dani -- 01:26.510 --> 01:30.580 align:start [ Applause ] 01:30.580 --> 01:33.480 align:start -- and if all of you would help me tip the hat to her 01:33.480 --> 01:37.190 align:start for organizing all of our events today in collaboration 01:37.190 --> 01:39.630 align:start with colleagues in the Hispanic Cultural Society, 01:39.630 --> 01:43.200 align:start the Young Readers' Center, the Learning and Innovation Office, 01:43.200 --> 01:47.140 align:start and also, if you would recognize our special events crew, 01:47.140 --> 01:50.170 align:start who makes sure that you can hear us, and see us, 01:50.170 --> 01:51.860 align:start and that you have seats. 01:51.860 --> 01:54.020 align:start And I appreciate all of you bearing 01:54.020 --> 01:56.340 align:start with us in an intimate space. 01:56.340 --> 02:01.020 align:start We think it's important to be in this intimate space together. 02:01.020 --> 02:03.850 align:start So I hope that it doesn't get too warm here for everyone, 02:03.850 --> 02:05.970 align:start and if it does, just enjoy it [laughter]. 02:05.970 --> 02:07.950 align:start How's that? 02:07.950 --> 02:11.000 align:start Okay. We are also happy to be here with the Consortium 02:11.000 --> 02:14.270 align:start of Latin American Studies Programs, CLASP, 02:14.270 --> 02:16.990 align:start and I'll talk a little bit about them in a second. 02:16.990 --> 02:18.560 align:start So Dani told you my name. 02:18.560 --> 02:19.910 align:start I'm Suzanne Schadl. 02:19.910 --> 02:22.420 align:start It is a real privilege for me to be a chief 02:22.420 --> 02:23.920 align:start in the Hispanic division. 02:23.920 --> 02:27.930 align:start Not only do I get to host authors, today we had the honor 02:27.930 --> 02:30.950 align:start of hearing Francie Latour read from her work, 02:30.950 --> 02:33.430 align:start and discuss that work with the audience. 02:33.430 --> 02:38.780 align:start We'll also have the privilege this evening of working 02:38.780 --> 02:45.630 align:start with Duncan Tonatiuh, with the format of the codex. 02:45.630 --> 02:49.080 align:start We get to -- Duncan's also an illustrator. 02:49.080 --> 02:53.630 align:start We'd love to bring other illustrators here next year, 02:53.630 --> 02:58.040 align:start too, and educators, and to work to provide inspiration 02:58.040 --> 02:59.620 align:start for learning and creating. 02:59.620 --> 03:01.530 align:start And I hope everybody will stay with us 03:01.530 --> 03:04.750 align:start after the awards ceremony this evening in order 03:04.750 --> 03:08.910 align:start to use the inspiration of books, and the material that go 03:08.910 --> 03:12.710 align:start into creating those books to create our own work. 03:12.710 --> 03:16.330 align:start And I would be happy to show you other things around the room 03:16.330 --> 03:19.400 align:start that we like to do the same kind of work with. 03:19.400 --> 03:23.000 align:start I also have the pleasure of working with a team 03:23.000 --> 03:26.390 align:start of excellent librarians and editors to engage people 03:26.390 --> 03:31.770 align:start with materials on and from the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain, 03:31.770 --> 03:36.650 align:start Portugal, the indigenous peoples in all of those regions, 03:36.650 --> 03:40.570 align:start and also people with Spanish and Portuguese heritage that are all 03:40.570 --> 03:43.860 align:start over the world, pretty much every continent. 03:43.860 --> 03:46.160 align:start We get to collect materials from those places, 03:46.160 --> 03:49.460 align:start and help people find them here in the Library of Congress. 03:49.460 --> 03:52.280 align:start I want to thank everyone for attending this ceremony, 03:52.280 --> 03:55.910 align:start and for staying on this evening also. 03:55.910 --> 03:58.230 align:start I'd like to give a special thanks to all of our authors, 03:58.230 --> 04:01.820 align:start and recognize those who are able to be here with us tonight. 04:01.820 --> 04:04.910 align:start Francie and Duncan, thank you so much for sharing your work 04:04.910 --> 04:11.040 align:start with us, and we're here tonight because of the Americas Award. 04:11.040 --> 04:13.580 align:start And you're going to hear a lot more about the Americas Award, 04:13.580 --> 04:16.960 align:start and all of the works that are recognized. 04:16.960 --> 04:20.190 align:start And the Americas Award is organized through the Consortium 04:20.190 --> 04:21.860 align:start of Latin American Studies Programs, 04:21.860 --> 04:23.440 align:start and this is something sort of dear to my heart. 04:23.440 --> 04:27.050 align:start So I'd like to say a few words about that. 04:27.050 --> 04:30.660 align:start CLASP is an organization of educators, 04:30.660 --> 04:32.990 align:start college educators working with high school 04:32.990 --> 04:36.780 align:start and middle school educators, and public educators, 04:36.780 --> 04:39.400 align:start and libraries all over the country 04:39.400 --> 04:42.240 align:start to foster global competency. 04:42.240 --> 04:46.330 align:start To help promote language proficiency, 04:46.330 --> 04:51.950 align:start to make less-commonly-known languages more knowable 04:51.950 --> 04:56.180 align:start in our communities, and to create more cultural awareness 04:56.180 --> 04:58.690 align:start of Latin America and the Caribbean. 04:58.690 --> 05:02.150 align:start A lot of people look at children's books and forget 05:02.150 --> 05:07.160 align:start that those are materials that are shared between adults, 05:07.160 --> 05:09.470 align:start and children, and communities. 05:09.470 --> 05:13.280 align:start And the information that is shared in that kind 05:13.280 --> 05:17.990 align:start of a communal setting is really a wonderful opportunity for us 05:17.990 --> 05:22.030 align:start to address difficult topics with one another in ways 05:22.030 --> 05:27.610 align:start that are accessible, and in ways that really do embrace diversity 05:27.610 --> 05:30.980 align:start by welcoming different ages 05:30.980 --> 05:33.430 align:start to come together around those topics. 05:33.430 --> 05:38.040 align:start So I am really appreciative of the work that our reviewers do 05:38.040 --> 05:40.930 align:start in working at universities, and thinking 05:40.930 --> 05:45.240 align:start about these children's texts as texts that are -- 05:45.240 --> 05:48.600 align:start that are doing an important job 05:48.600 --> 05:52.030 align:start in educating beyond the university. 05:52.030 --> 05:56.520 align:start Beyond that, I guess I'm just going to turn the mike 05:56.520 --> 06:01.170 align:start over to our partners at CLASP. 06:01.170 --> 06:04.650 align:start Denise Woltering-Vargas from Tulane University, 06:04.650 --> 06:08.510 align:start please take the microphone away from me. 06:08.510 --> 06:16.270 align:start [ Applause ] 06:16.270 --> 06:18.300 align:start >> Denise Woltering-Vargas: Good evening. 06:18.300 --> 06:19.860 align:start My name is Denise Woltering-Vargas. 06:19.860 --> 06:23.390 align:start I am one of the coordinators of the Americas Award. 06:23.390 --> 06:27.880 align:start Thanks to Dani, and to Suzanne. 06:27.880 --> 06:32.330 align:start On behalf of the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs, 06:32.330 --> 06:35.870 align:start Tulane University, Vanderbilt University, 06:35.870 --> 06:38.330 align:start the Centers for Latin American Studies 06:38.330 --> 06:42.160 align:start at Florida International University, Stanford University, 06:42.160 --> 06:45.420 align:start the Ohio State University, University of Florida, 06:45.420 --> 06:48.660 align:start University of New Mexico, University of Utah, 06:48.660 --> 06:52.490 align:start UNC Duke Consortium in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, 06:52.490 --> 06:55.200 align:start and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 06:55.200 --> 06:58.880 align:start All of our centers helped to put together the support, 06:58.880 --> 07:01.920 align:start the funds to be able to provide this book award, 07:01.920 --> 07:06.460 align:start so we appreciate their support and their sponsorship. 07:06.460 --> 07:10.100 align:start This year, as you heard from Dani, is our 26th year 07:10.100 --> 07:12.790 align:start of celebrating the Americas Award, which is pretty special. 07:12.790 --> 07:14.730 align:start We're really very excited. 07:14.730 --> 07:17.140 align:start The award was founded -- like to do a little history. 07:17.140 --> 07:20.960 align:start I know it's in your program, but it was founded in 1993 07:20.960 --> 07:23.890 align:start by Associate Director Julie Kline, who's here with us. 07:23.890 --> 07:26.960 align:start So thank you so much, Julie, for continuing to come 07:26.960 --> 07:30.210 align:start and support the work that you began in '93. 07:30.210 --> 07:34.290 align:start She was at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 07:34.290 --> 07:36.540 align:start and since 2012, both Tulane 07:36.540 --> 07:38.650 align:start and Vanderbilt have coordinated this award. 07:38.650 --> 07:44.580 align:start We would come every fall to do a Hispanic Heritage event 07:44.580 --> 07:46.230 align:start with the Library of Congress. 07:46.230 --> 07:48.830 align:start We would work with Georgette and Catalina [assumed spellings], 07:48.830 --> 07:50.890 align:start and put together an awards ceremony. 07:50.890 --> 07:54.300 align:start This year, we are so excited to be working this year 07:54.300 --> 07:58.070 align:start with both Suzanne and Dani, who brought a very new perspective, 07:58.070 --> 08:02.750 align:start and a really great approach to engaging with our community, 08:02.750 --> 08:05.290 align:start and engaging here at the Library of Congress. 08:05.290 --> 08:07.500 align:start We're very appreciative of the continued support 08:07.500 --> 08:10.350 align:start and partnership of the Hispanic Division 08:10.350 --> 08:13.390 align:start and the Library of Congress. 08:13.390 --> 08:19.210 align:start Awards are given to two of -- up to two books a year, 08:19.210 --> 08:22.460 align:start and are selected for their distinctive literary quality, 08:22.460 --> 08:26.640 align:start cultural contextualization, exceptional integration of text, 08:26.640 --> 08:31.240 align:start illustration, and design, and potential for classroom use. 08:31.240 --> 08:33.630 align:start The goal of this award is to link the Americas 08:33.630 --> 08:38.060 align:start to reach beyond geographic borders, focusing instead 08:38.060 --> 08:42.500 align:start on cultural heritages within the hemisphere. 08:42.500 --> 08:45.120 align:start This year, we're very lucky to have three 08:45.120 --> 08:47.410 align:start of our committee members here. 08:47.410 --> 08:53.050 align:start This year, we have a committee comprised of teachers, faculty, 08:53.050 --> 08:54.810 align:start and community across the country. 08:54.810 --> 08:57.930 align:start We're very unique in having this collection 08:57.930 --> 09:01.900 align:start of folks look and review books. 09:01.900 --> 09:04.950 align:start We have Dr. David Campos at the University 09:04.950 --> 09:07.990 align:start of Incarnate Word here with us today. 09:07.990 --> 09:11.500 align:start He is the chair of the 2019 Americas Award. 09:11.500 --> 09:14.200 align:start Other committee members with us today are Connie Sharp 09:14.200 --> 09:17.300 align:start from Nashville, Christi Moraga from Connecticut, 09:17.300 --> 09:20.650 align:start who was one of our original committee members back in '93. 09:20.650 --> 09:22.750 align:start So thank you for being with us. 09:22.750 --> 09:24.690 align:start We are missing a couple of her colleagues -- 09:24.690 --> 09:26.680 align:start Luciano Marzulli in Utah, 09:26.680 --> 09:29.970 align:start and Dr. Patricia Austin in Louisiana. 09:29.970 --> 09:31.930 align:start In the fall, the books were submitted, and beginning 09:31.930 --> 09:35.210 align:start in March, the committee gathers online via conference calls 09:35.210 --> 09:37.590 align:start in a series of meetings to determine the winners, 09:37.590 --> 09:40.920 align:start the honorable mentions, and the commended titles. 09:40.920 --> 09:43.390 align:start These conversations are enlightening, insightful, 09:43.390 --> 09:47.110 align:start and at times, very spirited, and shows the passion 09:47.110 --> 09:49.620 align:start that the committee members felt about the diverse cultures 09:49.620 --> 09:52.120 align:start of Latin America that they represent. 09:52.120 --> 09:54.790 align:start Both Colleen and I are extremely grateful for the hard work 09:54.790 --> 09:56.460 align:start of the committee, and they care they put 09:56.460 --> 09:58.380 align:start into choosing this year's award winners, 09:58.380 --> 10:01.080 align:start honorable mentions, and commended titles. 10:01.080 --> 10:04.340 align:start I will now hand it over to the 2019 Americas Award committee 10:04.340 --> 10:06.510 align:start chair, David. 10:06.510 --> 10:11.650 align:start [ Applause ] 10:11.650 --> 10:13.300 align:start >> David Campos: Thank you so very much. 10:13.300 --> 10:15.180 align:start I just want to say that, for the last three years, 10:15.180 --> 10:18.250 align:start I've had the honor and privilege of working with the committee. 10:18.250 --> 10:20.730 align:start That's been a lot of fun, and the joy that the conversations 10:20.730 --> 10:22.450 align:start that we've had -- and I have to say that, 10:22.450 --> 10:26.160 align:start for the last three years, I think my mailman has gotten used 10:26.160 --> 10:27.670 align:start to me being so excited. 10:27.670 --> 10:29.580 align:start Because he was delivering me a package of books, 10:29.580 --> 10:32.910 align:start and I was always eager to jump right into it. 10:32.910 --> 10:35.960 align:start I will be recognizing the commended titles, and I'm going 10:35.960 --> 10:37.490 align:start to be reading those to you. 10:37.490 --> 10:41.760 align:start The first one is "Alma and How She Got Her Name," "Carmela Full 10:41.760 --> 10:46.690 align:start of Wishes," "Dreamers," "La Frontera, My Journey With Papa," 10:46.690 --> 10:51.650 align:start "A Gift from Abuela," "Jazz Owls," 10:51.650 --> 10:54.490 align:start ""Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish," 10:54.490 --> 10:58.270 align:start "Merci Suarez Changes Gears," "Photographic, 10:58.270 --> 11:01.830 align:start the Life of Graciela Iturbide," "Puerto Rico Strong, 11:01.830 --> 11:06.090 align:start a Comics Anthology Supporting Puerto Rico Disaster," 11:06.090 --> 11:10.030 align:start "They Call Me Guero, A Border Kid's Poems, "When Angels Sing, 11:10.030 --> 11:13.380 align:start The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana." 11:13.380 --> 11:17.510 align:start Let's give a hand in recognizing those commended titles. 11:17.510 --> 11:21.810 align:start [ Applause ] 11:21.810 --> 11:23.620 align:start And now I'm going to hand over the podium 11:23.620 --> 11:28.110 align:start to my colleague, Christi. 11:28.110 --> 11:29.500 align:start >> Christi Moraga: Good evening. 11:29.500 --> 11:33.520 align:start My name is Christi Moraga from Connecticut, and this evening, 11:33.520 --> 11:37.460 align:start I am happy to say that there were two books 11:37.460 --> 11:42.210 align:start that the Americas Book Award committee deemed so outstanding 11:42.210 --> 11:44.360 align:start that we would like to honor them today 11:44.360 --> 11:49.520 align:start with the 2019 Americas Honorable Mention titles. 11:49.520 --> 11:52.450 align:start First, the author Elizabeth Acevedo could not be 11:52.450 --> 11:54.940 align:start with us today, but her book called 11:54.940 --> 11:58.030 align:start "The Poet X" impressed the committee members 11:58.030 --> 12:02.450 align:start with its raw authenticity and cultural sensitivities. 12:02.450 --> 12:05.010 align:start The book is a novel made up of poetry that centers 12:05.010 --> 12:07.860 align:start around a Dominican teen who is trying 12:07.860 --> 12:10.720 align:start to find her way in a hybrid world. 12:10.720 --> 12:13.790 align:start She is restrained by her parents, especially her mother, 12:13.790 --> 12:15.330 align:start who is very religious. 12:15.330 --> 12:18.600 align:start She becomes confused with her first romantic relationship, 12:18.600 --> 12:21.860 align:start and she struggles with the co dependence that she has 12:21.860 --> 12:23.750 align:start with her twin brother. 12:23.750 --> 12:27.860 align:start Some of you may have been saved by a teacher. 12:27.860 --> 12:30.590 align:start Xiomara, the name of the protagonist, 12:30.590 --> 12:32.430 align:start is invited by her English teacher 12:32.430 --> 12:35.760 align:start to attend an after-school poetry club. 12:35.760 --> 12:39.240 align:start Writing poetry becomes an oral activity, and eventually, 12:39.240 --> 12:42.610 align:start Xiomara finds her voice at a poetry slam. 12:42.610 --> 12:45.290 align:start If you have never been to a poetry slam, 12:45.290 --> 12:47.570 align:start the experience is enlightening, 12:47.570 --> 12:50.210 align:start as you watch young people find their voices. 12:50.210 --> 12:52.970 align:start I've been to one in Hartford, and it's incredible. 12:52.970 --> 12:56.870 align:start Congratulations to Elizabeth Acevedo in absentia 12:56.870 --> 12:59.580 align:start for this amazing book for young adults. 12:59.580 --> 13:03.990 align:start Our next honoree is here, and perhaps some 13:03.990 --> 13:08.070 align:start of you heard Francie Latour reading in the morning session. 13:08.070 --> 13:11.020 align:start Her picture book, "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings," 13:11.020 --> 13:13.550 align:start called to me in many ways. 13:13.550 --> 13:18.240 align:start This is a story of a little New York Haitian girl whose world 13:18.240 --> 13:21.900 align:start grows immensely when she visits her Auntie Luce 13:21.900 --> 13:24.510 align:start on the island of her ancestors. 13:24.510 --> 13:28.760 align:start Through the medium of painting, Auntie Luce reminds her niece 13:28.760 --> 13:31.430 align:start that the island has a collective history 13:31.430 --> 13:34.730 align:start and a personal history that she is part of. 13:34.730 --> 13:38.260 align:start Not only does Auntie Luce commemorate historical figures 13:38.260 --> 13:42.620 align:start like Dessalines and Louverture, but she also paints the villages 13:42.620 --> 13:45.270 align:start and countryside, the marketplace, the good 13:45.270 --> 13:47.640 align:start and the bad of everyday life. 13:47.640 --> 13:51.150 align:start She paints her own family, and most importantly, 13:51.150 --> 13:54.100 align:start she paints the little girl who is longing to remember 13:54.100 --> 13:56.030 align:start and striving to belong. 13:56.030 --> 13:59.570 align:start I love the string of adjectives that Miss Latour uses 13:59.570 --> 14:03.300 align:start to describe the many hues of Haiti and the Haitian people. 14:03.300 --> 14:07.780 align:start The illustrator, Ken Daley, has transformed her vibrant words 14:07.780 --> 14:10.570 align:start into vibrant pictures that permit outsiders 14:10.570 --> 14:12.790 align:start to step into Haitian life. 14:12.790 --> 14:17.700 align:start I am proud to award the 2019 Americas Honorable Mention 14:17.700 --> 14:19.900 align:start to "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings," 14:19.900 --> 14:24.510 align:start written by Francie Latour and illustrated by Ken Daley. 14:24.510 --> 14:35.520 align:start [ Applause ] 14:35.520 --> 14:38.510 align:start And now, the amazing Francie Latour. 14:38.510 --> 14:46.410 align:start [ Applause ] 14:46.410 --> 14:58.310 align:start >> Francie Latour: Hi, everyone. 14:58.310 --> 14:59.610 align:start Thank you, Christi. 14:59.610 --> 15:00.910 align:start >> Christi Moraga: You're welcome. 15:00.910 --> 15:04.620 align:start >> Francie Latour: I appreciate that introduction so much. 15:04.620 --> 15:09.060 align:start Good afternoon, everyone. 15:09.060 --> 15:11.550 align:start Good afternoon, everyone [laughter]. 15:11.550 --> 15:15.590 align:start >> Good afternoon. 15:15.590 --> 15:17.000 align:start >> Francie Latour: Okay. 15:17.000 --> 15:22.210 align:start It means a lot to be included in making community with you all 15:22.210 --> 15:26.180 align:start in this gathering, in this moment, 15:26.180 --> 15:29.290 align:start and in this particular way. 15:29.290 --> 15:33.210 align:start So traditionally, when Haitians gather, 15:33.210 --> 15:36.810 align:start or even greet each other, the greeter says [foreign language], 15:36.810 --> 15:42.560 align:start honor, and those who are gathered respond by saying, 15:42.560 --> 15:43.880 align:start [foreign language], respect. 15:43.880 --> 15:47.970 align:start Should we try it? 15:47.970 --> 15:49.270 align:start >> Sure. 15:49.270 --> 15:50.570 align:start >> Francie Latour: Okay. 15:50.570 --> 15:51.870 align:start [Foreign language] okay. 15:51.870 --> 15:53.650 align:start That was beautiful. 15:53.650 --> 16:01.940 align:start Okay. "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings" stumbled 16:01.940 --> 16:05.680 align:start into existence pretty accidentally 16:05.680 --> 16:07.300 align:start over a number of years. 16:07.300 --> 16:13.780 align:start So it's a little overwhelming to be here, and so, 16:13.780 --> 16:18.450 align:start know that the thanks that I am about to give comes 16:18.450 --> 16:20.650 align:start from a very deep place. 16:20.650 --> 16:24.640 align:start I want to thank the Consortium 16:24.640 --> 16:27.840 align:start of Latin American Studies Programs 16:27.840 --> 16:34.070 align:start for recognizing this book, and its story of Haitian culture, 16:34.070 --> 16:38.090 align:start Haitian family, and Haitian history. 16:38.090 --> 16:43.120 align:start In recognizing work that celebrates Caribbean as well 16:43.120 --> 16:45.980 align:start as Latin American experience, 16:45.980 --> 16:50.980 align:start the Americas Award honors the unity and the complexity 16:50.980 --> 16:56.480 align:start of our shared history as descendants of West Africa, 16:56.480 --> 17:00.890 align:start a powerful connection that extends across language, 17:00.890 --> 17:09.270 align:start across faith, across food ways, across nations, across time. 17:09.270 --> 17:12.590 align:start That makes this recognition extremely special to me. 17:12.590 --> 17:19.510 align:start I want to thank the Hispanic Division of the Library 17:19.510 --> 17:26.190 align:start of Congress, and especially Suzanne and Dani, for creating 17:26.190 --> 17:30.370 align:start such a warm, and welcoming, and safe space 17:30.370 --> 17:34.340 align:start for us all here today. 17:34.340 --> 17:40.590 align:start I read recently that, of the 12 or so million holdings 17:40.590 --> 17:43.990 align:start in the division's Hispanic Reading Room, 17:43.990 --> 17:49.430 align:start only about 2.5 million are books. 17:49.430 --> 17:51.890 align:start Among the many other items is a collection 17:51.890 --> 17:57.630 align:start of spoken-word recordings by hundreds of poets and writers 17:57.630 --> 18:00.580 align:start from across the Hispanic world 18:00.580 --> 18:04.440 align:start and the Caribbean, including Haiti. 18:04.440 --> 18:12.170 align:start And so, we are surrounded by the keepers of our stories here, 18:12.170 --> 18:15.670 align:start whose voices connect us and celebrate us 18:15.670 --> 18:20.600 align:start through the written and spoken word. 18:20.600 --> 18:24.990 align:start I want to take just a moment to thank the Librarian 18:24.990 --> 18:28.310 align:start of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden. 18:28.310 --> 18:34.910 align:start As a black woman, there is incredible meaning and power 18:34.910 --> 18:39.010 align:start for me in being recognized here, 18:39.010 --> 18:42.980 align:start inside the Thomas Jefferson Building. 18:42.980 --> 18:45.270 align:start Under the leadership of a librarian 18:45.270 --> 18:49.170 align:start who is not only the first woman, and the first black woman 18:49.170 --> 18:55.600 align:start to hold the post of Librarian of Congress, but also the product 18:55.600 --> 18:59.380 align:start of two cities that have anchored black communities 18:59.380 --> 19:02.300 align:start for generations, and have produced some 19:02.300 --> 19:07.830 align:start of the U.S.'s most important leaders, visionaries, 19:07.830 --> 19:11.470 align:start artists, and freedom fighters. 19:11.470 --> 19:14.830 align:start Those would be Baltimore and Chicago. 19:14.830 --> 19:25.450 align:start I want to thank the author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh 19:25.450 --> 19:30.780 align:start for being Duncan Tonatiuh [laughter]. 19:30.780 --> 19:35.530 align:start I am a huge, huge fan. 19:35.530 --> 19:39.660 align:start One of the things that was really hard about making 19:39.660 --> 19:43.310 align:start "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings" was figuring out how 19:43.310 --> 19:48.030 align:start to tell important truths, and how to tell them in a way 19:48.030 --> 19:52.080 align:start that would make kids want to turn the page. 19:52.080 --> 19:57.520 align:start All of Duncan's books do this effortlessly with his words, 19:57.520 --> 20:00.660 align:start and then with his own images. 20:00.660 --> 20:05.300 align:start This is a superpower, 20:05.300 --> 20:08.590 align:start and although I don't have any standing 20:08.590 --> 20:12.710 align:start with the Americas Award committee, I would urge them 20:12.710 --> 20:17.080 align:start to consider awarding author/illustrator book creators 20:17.080 --> 20:24.390 align:start with a cape in addition to the awards themselves. 20:24.390 --> 20:30.400 align:start Speaking of illustrators, I want to thank the person 20:30.400 --> 20:33.310 align:start who breathed stunning life into the words 20:33.310 --> 20:36.810 align:start of this book, Ken Daley. 20:36.810 --> 20:38.380 align:start Whenever I catch a glimpse 20:38.380 --> 20:41.280 align:start of "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings" in a bookstore, 20:41.280 --> 20:43.460 align:start or I see stacks of them 20:43.460 --> 20:48.410 align:start in a classroom visit, I think two things. 20:48.410 --> 20:51.050 align:start The first is, I have got 20:51.050 --> 20:53.820 align:start to be the luckiest first-time children's book writer 20:53.820 --> 20:58.580 align:start in the history of first-time children's book writers, 20:58.580 --> 21:02.840 align:start because I was matched with an illustrator whose heart is 21:02.840 --> 21:06.130 align:start as authentic and beautiful as the world 21:06.130 --> 21:10.290 align:start of Auntie Luce that he created. 21:10.290 --> 21:15.350 align:start The second thing I think is, I'm about to be bum-rushed 21:15.350 --> 21:19.180 align:start by a room full of kids whose first question is always, 21:19.180 --> 21:21.580 align:start "Did you paint the pictures for this book [laughter]?" 21:21.580 --> 21:28.720 align:start And I have to disappoint them all again by telling them, "No, 21:28.720 --> 21:33.470 align:start I only wrote the words." 21:33.470 --> 21:37.400 align:start I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21:37.400 --> 21:42.680 align:start but I think of myself as a daughter of Haiti. 21:42.680 --> 21:49.030 align:start That means that I have a very, very, very big family, 21:49.030 --> 21:54.480 align:start too big to call by name here today, but there are a few 21:54.480 --> 21:57.160 align:start who are extremely important to me to name. 21:57.160 --> 22:01.140 align:start Because without them, I would not be here, 22:01.140 --> 22:04.010 align:start and "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings" could not have come 22:04.010 --> 22:07.130 align:start into being. 22:07.130 --> 22:14.620 align:start My mother, Marijit Belt Noel Latour, my brother, 22:14.620 --> 22:21.990 align:start Stefan Latour, my sister by marriage, Michelle Latour, 22:21.990 --> 22:31.170 align:start their daughter, my niece, Lauren Alexandra Latour, my partner, 22:31.170 --> 22:38.160 align:start and my greatest love, Wayne Lake, my sister in all ways 22:38.160 --> 22:41.470 align:start but blood, Tonya Nixon-Silberg [assumed spellings]. 22:41.470 --> 22:47.340 align:start My Haitian heroes in the here and now who continue 22:47.340 --> 22:53.330 align:start to tell our story in all its beauty with incredible love, 22:53.330 --> 22:59.320 align:start and with the knowledge that love without justice has no meaning. 22:59.320 --> 23:06.020 align:start The writer, Idwich Nautica, the choreographer, Jean Apollon, 23:06.020 --> 23:11.040 align:start the linguist, Michele de Graf, the champion 23:11.040 --> 23:16.340 align:start of Haitian culture-makers, and my cousin, Regine Woumay, 23:16.340 --> 23:23.970 align:start and most important of all of these, my children, 23:23.970 --> 23:28.710 align:start Owen Sky Comiski, Riley Rose Comiski, 23:28.710 --> 23:32.930 align:start and Leo Satchel Comiski, to whom Auntie Luce is dedicated 23:32.930 --> 23:34.230 align:start [assumed spellings]. 23:34.230 --> 23:39.530 align:start So I brought the book up to the podium with me, 23:39.530 --> 23:45.520 align:start because I realized that as many times as I've read it 23:45.520 --> 23:49.660 align:start to audiences, I have never actually read the author's note 23:49.660 --> 23:55.830 align:start out loud to any audience, and I spent a lot of time on it. 23:55.830 --> 24:02.410 align:start So I thought I would read it here, but before I do that, 24:02.410 --> 24:05.070 align:start I wanted to just share something that was on my mind 24:05.070 --> 24:08.520 align:start on the plane here yesterday morning, 24:08.520 --> 24:11.010 align:start which is kind of related. 24:11.010 --> 24:17.450 align:start I was thinking about my kids, who were five, two, 24:17.450 --> 24:21.720 align:start and one when the idea of Auntie Luce first came about, 24:21.720 --> 24:29.770 align:start and who are 14, 11, and 10 now. 24:29.770 --> 24:32.280 align:start So when people ask me to describe my kids, 24:32.280 --> 24:33.900 align:start the first thing I usually say is 24:33.900 --> 24:39.050 align:start that they are incredibly tight, and that's true. 24:39.050 --> 24:45.320 align:start They have always been, and it's also true that two brothers 24:45.320 --> 24:49.230 align:start and a middle sister who are incredibly tight can 24:49.230 --> 24:52.310 align:start occasionally get incredibly annoyed 24:52.310 --> 24:57.470 align:start with each other, occasionally. 24:57.470 --> 25:00.420 align:start Like all kids, Owen, Riley, 25:00.420 --> 25:03.220 align:start and Leo have an extremely sensitive radar 25:03.220 --> 25:08.750 align:start to what feels fair, and what doesn't feel fair. 25:08.750 --> 25:12.510 align:start A lot gets picked up by that radar. 25:12.510 --> 25:14.270 align:start Who's holding the remote? 25:14.270 --> 25:17.180 align:start Who gets to ride shotgun in the car? 25:17.180 --> 25:21.350 align:start Who does the most chores, and so on -- 25:21.350 --> 25:24.320 align:start they fight, and they forgive. 25:24.320 --> 25:29.790 align:start But for a long time, actually, there was one specific cause 25:29.790 --> 25:33.050 align:start of fighting that seemed harder to forgive or get 25:33.050 --> 25:39.120 align:start over than almost anything else, something that brought wailing, 25:39.120 --> 25:42.760 align:start and hot tears, and long, bitter grudges. 25:42.760 --> 25:49.910 align:start And that was when one of them told me another one's story. 25:49.910 --> 25:55.770 align:start It could be the story of a split lip from a spectacular fall 25:55.770 --> 26:00.550 align:start at recess, or it could be the story of the turtle one 26:00.550 --> 26:03.250 align:start of them found in the road. 26:03.250 --> 26:06.520 align:start But if something memorable happened to one of them 26:06.520 --> 26:10.240 align:start when I wasn't there, and their brother or sister got 26:10.240 --> 26:15.360 align:start to me first and blurted it out, 26:15.360 --> 26:19.500 align:start all hell would break loose [laughter]. 26:19.500 --> 26:22.830 align:start Why did you do that? 26:22.830 --> 26:29.650 align:start That wasn't your story to tell. 26:29.650 --> 26:33.520 align:start To my kids, taking someone else's story and telling it 26:33.520 --> 26:38.280 align:start as if it were your own is a terrible betrayal. 26:38.280 --> 26:42.550 align:start A remote control can be given back. 26:42.550 --> 26:48.620 align:start Chores can be re-balanced, but you can't reverse time 26:48.620 --> 26:54.440 align:start and un-tell a story, and you can't undo the crime 26:54.440 --> 26:58.000 align:start of being the first to have told it to someone who wasn't there. 26:58.000 --> 27:02.720 align:start In "Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings," 27:02.720 --> 27:04.020 align:start we meet Tishou [assumed spelling], 27:04.020 --> 27:07.500 align:start a Haitian-American girl who flies to Haiti 27:07.500 --> 27:11.190 align:start to visit her aunt, a painter. 27:11.190 --> 27:14.400 align:start Through her aunt's brush, the girl looks into the faces 27:14.400 --> 27:19.800 align:start of Haiti's heroes and begins to trace her own history, 27:19.800 --> 27:26.150 align:start to see herself in a new way, to find where she belongs. 27:26.150 --> 27:29.680 align:start The story mirrors a common reality 27:29.680 --> 27:34.190 align:start of hyphenated American identity, the journey back 27:34.190 --> 27:40.430 align:start to an ancestral homeland, often from a young age, as my brother 27:40.430 --> 27:44.770 align:start and I did, as families yearn to bridge divides 27:44.770 --> 27:48.690 align:start that are physical, cultural, and generational. 27:48.690 --> 27:57.060 align:start In this moment, here, today, stories like those recognized 27:57.060 --> 28:02.460 align:start by the Americas Award carry a special urgency. 28:02.460 --> 28:07.510 align:start For immigrants and all people of color whose safety 28:07.510 --> 28:11.440 align:start and dignity is under attach, 28:11.440 --> 28:15.760 align:start storytelling affirms our humanity. 28:15.760 --> 28:23.560 align:start It grounds us in our brilliance, and it is a powerful counter 28:23.560 --> 28:27.480 align:start to the voices of others who have tried to tell our stories, 28:27.480 --> 28:31.990 align:start who have tried to tell the world who we are 28:31.990 --> 28:36.190 align:start without our experience, and without our permission. 28:36.190 --> 28:41.160 align:start It is not their story to tell. 28:41.160 --> 28:46.020 align:start It is our story to tell. 28:46.020 --> 28:53.100 align:start So I'll just read the author's note here. 28:53.100 --> 28:56.440 align:start "We all have birth stories. 28:56.440 --> 28:59.690 align:start In my family, we tell them often. 28:59.690 --> 29:05.080 align:start My brother, the miracle baby, born so early he wasn't expected 29:05.080 --> 29:10.760 align:start to survive, much less to thrive at six feet tall. 29:10.760 --> 29:14.880 align:start My daughter, the daredevil, who could not wait 29:14.880 --> 29:18.890 align:start to meet the world, and shot out like a cannon, 29:18.890 --> 29:24.960 align:start with people to see, places to go, and things to do. 29:24.960 --> 29:28.450 align:start Nations have birth stories, too. 29:28.450 --> 29:31.750 align:start Although few people would know it, the two countries 29:31.750 --> 29:34.290 align:start at the heart of Tishou's [assumed spelling] world, 29:34.290 --> 29:38.190 align:start Haiti and the United States, were both born 29:38.190 --> 29:42.590 align:start from the same fire, revolutions for freedom 29:42.590 --> 29:45.990 align:start that changed the world. 29:45.990 --> 29:50.660 align:start Only one of these revolutions is taught in school, 29:50.660 --> 29:54.730 align:start a band of colonies that overthrew British rule, 29:54.730 --> 29:59.590 align:start a heroic general named Washington, and a new nation 29:59.590 --> 30:04.730 align:start of free citizens we now call America. 30:04.730 --> 30:08.630 align:start But just a few years later, and a little farther south, 30:08.630 --> 30:13.330 align:start a band of rebels on an island called Saint Domingue also 30:13.330 --> 30:17.220 align:start defeated a powerful European ruler. 30:17.220 --> 30:21.330 align:start They, too, had a heroic general named Louverture, 30:21.330 --> 30:26.710 align:start and a declaration of independence from France 30:26.710 --> 30:28.980 align:start under the Emperor Napoleon. 30:28.980 --> 30:35.130 align:start When these rebels birthed a nation and called it Haiti, 30:35.130 --> 30:37.500 align:start the whole world paid attention. 30:37.500 --> 30:45.740 align:start Why? Because these new citizens who beat the French, 30:45.740 --> 30:53.090 align:start the Spanish, the British, were black, descended from Africans 30:53.090 --> 30:55.450 align:start who were forced across an ocean 30:55.450 --> 30:59.590 align:start and into an inhuman system of slavery. 30:59.590 --> 31:06.050 align:start The Haitian Revolution did more than overthrow a government. 31:06.050 --> 31:12.050 align:start It overthrew an idea, one that Europeans invented and had 31:12.050 --> 31:18.200 align:start to protect to keep slavery going, that they were white, 31:18.200 --> 31:20.840 align:start that Africans were black, 31:20.840 --> 31:25.250 align:start and that blacks were somehow inferior, 31:25.250 --> 31:27.830 align:start less human, or not human at all. 31:27.830 --> 31:33.700 align:start As long as this idea stayed in place, Europeans 31:33.700 --> 31:37.360 align:start and Americans could use the forced labor of others 31:37.360 --> 31:41.120 align:start to become wealthy world powers. 31:41.120 --> 31:44.850 align:start They could write birth stories of freedom and democracy 31:44.850 --> 31:48.660 align:start in our history books, despite keeping generations 31:48.660 --> 31:51.100 align:start of black people in chains. 31:51.100 --> 31:58.450 align:start For proving these ideas wrong, Haiti would be punished. 31:58.450 --> 32:02.340 align:start From the moment this black republic was born, 32:02.340 --> 32:06.640 align:start it was totally alone in the world. 32:06.640 --> 32:09.260 align:start No country would trade with it, 32:09.260 --> 32:13.240 align:start or even recognize it as a nation. 32:13.240 --> 32:17.870 align:start To get that recognition, Haiti had to sign a deal 32:17.870 --> 32:21.050 align:start that guaranteed a future of poverty. 32:21.050 --> 32:27.090 align:start It was forced to pay hundreds of millions to the French 32:27.090 --> 32:31.130 align:start for the property they lost in war, 32:31.130 --> 32:35.320 align:start an amount that today is worth about $20 billion. 32:35.320 --> 32:42.340 align:start That lost property included Haitians' very own bodies, 32:42.340 --> 32:44.550 align:start which the French believed they had a right to own. 32:44.550 --> 32:51.280 align:start Growing up, the only stories I heard about Haiti in school were 32:51.280 --> 32:56.720 align:start that it was violent and poor, one of the poorest countries 32:56.720 --> 33:02.290 align:start on Earth, and this is why knowing our birth stories is 33:02.290 --> 33:10.190 align:start so important to understanding the world and each other." 33:10.190 --> 33:11.990 align:start Thank you. 33:11.990 --> 33:32.140 align:start [ Applause ] 33:32.140 --> 33:33.490 align:start >> Connie Sharp: Good afternoon. 33:33.490 --> 33:36.650 align:start My name is Connie Sharp, and I'm a district librarian 33:36.650 --> 33:39.300 align:start with Metro Nashville Public Schools. 33:39.300 --> 33:41.930 align:start I am honored to serve as a review committee member, 33:41.930 --> 33:44.970 align:start and excited to be with you today. 33:44.970 --> 33:48.070 align:start It is my great pleasure to recognize the winners 33:48.070 --> 33:51.210 align:start of the 2019 Americas Award. 33:51.210 --> 33:55.700 align:start The first book I would like to recognize is "Islandborn," 33:55.700 --> 34:00.410 align:start written by Junot Diaz and illustrated by Leo Espinoza. 34:00.410 --> 34:03.500 align:start This heartwarming debut picture book captured our hearts 34:03.500 --> 34:06.560 align:start as we learned the story of young Lola. 34:06.560 --> 34:08.930 align:start Lola was given a class assignment to draw a picture 34:08.930 --> 34:11.770 align:start of the country she was originally from. 34:11.770 --> 34:14.980 align:start As her classmates became excited, she struggled 34:14.980 --> 34:16.990 align:start to remember what her country was like. 34:16.990 --> 34:21.340 align:start Through the experiences and stories of her family 34:21.340 --> 34:24.950 align:start and neighbors, she took an extraordinary imaginative 34:24.950 --> 34:26.680 align:start journey back to the island, 34:26.680 --> 34:28.720 align:start and is able to create a vivid picture 34:28.720 --> 34:31.390 align:start of the culture she left behind. 34:31.390 --> 34:34.530 align:start Although they were not able to be with us today, please join me 34:34.530 --> 34:36.950 align:start in congratulating author Junot Diaz 34:36.950 --> 34:41.510 align:start and illustrator Leo Espinoza for "Islandborn." 34:41.510 --> 34:49.710 align:start [ Applause ] 34:49.710 --> 34:54.300 align:start Our next 2019 Americas Award goes to "Undocumented, 34:54.300 --> 34:59.380 align:start a Worker's Fight," written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. 34:59.380 --> 35:01.960 align:start This powerful story shares the journey of Juan, 35:01.960 --> 35:04.870 align:start an undocumented worker who travels to the United States 35:04.870 --> 35:08.470 align:start in order to find employment to help support his family. 35:08.470 --> 35:10.590 align:start After finding a job in a restaurant, 35:10.590 --> 35:14.010 align:start he faces unfair treatment, low wages, 35:14.010 --> 35:16.250 align:start and the fear of exploitation. 35:16.250 --> 35:19.870 align:start He works tirelessly for his rights and the rights of all 35:19.870 --> 35:22.020 align:start in that same situation. 35:22.020 --> 35:27.130 align:start This timely story is important and relevant today. 35:27.130 --> 35:29.670 align:start "Undocumented" is masterfully crafted 35:29.670 --> 35:32.480 align:start into an accordion-fold format similar to that 35:32.480 --> 35:36.790 align:start of the ancient Mixtec Codex, and will bring enjoyment 35:36.790 --> 35:38.170 align:start to readers everywhere. 35:38.170 --> 35:42.510 align:start At this time, please join me in congratulating Duncan Tonatiuh. 35:42.510 --> 36:05.260 align:start [ Applause ] 36:05.260 --> 36:06.820 align:start >> Duncan Tonatiuh: Good afternoon, [foreign language]. 36:06.820 --> 36:11.050 align:start Thank you everyone for having me here, for being here. 36:11.050 --> 36:14.490 align:start It's very special to be here. 36:14.490 --> 36:16.810 align:start I'm very happy for all the support, 36:16.810 --> 36:19.790 align:start all the love towards my work, towards my book. 36:19.790 --> 36:25.090 align:start I want to thank CLASP for supporting my book, 36:25.090 --> 36:26.500 align:start for supporting my work. 36:26.500 --> 36:32.400 align:start I think the Americas Award is a very special award, 36:32.400 --> 36:33.730 align:start and one of the things that I want to say 36:33.730 --> 36:35.520 align:start about the Americas Award is 36:35.520 --> 36:37.660 align:start that they do a wonderful job creating a lot 36:37.660 --> 36:40.640 align:start of educator's guides, a lot of resources 36:40.640 --> 36:44.280 align:start so that teachers can use these books in the classroom. 36:44.280 --> 36:47.130 align:start They create this wonderful commended list of books, 36:47.130 --> 36:50.630 align:start so it's not only the books that win the award, 36:50.630 --> 36:53.900 align:start but it's also other books that can serve in schools. 36:53.900 --> 36:57.730 align:start And so, I -- if you're an educator, 36:57.730 --> 37:00.590 align:start I definitely invite you to visit their website, and to check 37:00.590 --> 37:02.270 align:start out some of the resources that are there. 37:02.270 --> 37:05.730 align:start They have created some amazing guides and resources for some 37:05.730 --> 37:08.150 align:start of my books, but for many of the other books 37:08.150 --> 37:10.490 align:start that have been honored by the award. 37:10.490 --> 37:13.130 align:start And I think it's just a really wonderful thing, 37:13.130 --> 37:14.470 align:start and a really great resource. 37:14.470 --> 37:17.670 align:start And I always try and -- when I'm invited to talk to librarians 37:17.670 --> 37:20.030 align:start or teachers, I always mention it to them, 37:20.030 --> 37:22.060 align:start because I think it's really wonderful. 37:22.060 --> 37:26.820 align:start And I definitely want to thank my publisher, Abrams, who -- 37:26.820 --> 37:32.000 align:start I've been working with the same editor for 10 years now, 37:32.000 --> 37:33.870 align:start with Howard Reeves [assumed spelling], 37:33.870 --> 37:36.800 align:start and we had a very good relationship, 37:36.800 --> 37:39.690 align:start and they've always been very supportive of my work there. 37:39.690 --> 37:42.370 align:start The different people in the different departments -- 37:42.370 --> 37:45.710 align:start Pam, who did the design of the book, Jenny [assumed spellings], 37:45.710 --> 37:48.180 align:start and other people in marketing and sales who have just -- 37:48.180 --> 37:51.170 align:start have always been very welcoming towards me, 37:51.170 --> 37:54.000 align:start and have really helped the book succeed, 37:54.000 --> 37:56.250 align:start get it out there so people see it. 37:56.250 --> 38:04.440 align:start To my family, my wife, my kids, you know, who just fill me 38:04.440 --> 38:08.700 align:start with joy and happiness, and with purpose, with determination, 38:08.700 --> 38:15.100 align:start and about the book, I want to say a few things. 38:15.100 --> 38:17.060 align:start You know, the book is called "Undocumented." 38:17.060 --> 38:19.830 align:start You know, it's -- the main character 38:19.830 --> 38:23.050 align:start in the story does not have the property documentation, 38:23.050 --> 38:25.510 align:start the proper papers to be in the United States, so that's one 38:25.510 --> 38:27.400 align:start of the reasons it's called "Undocumented." 38:27.400 --> 38:33.240 align:start But I also thought it was a good title because the stories 38:33.240 --> 38:36.160 align:start of working people, especially people 38:36.160 --> 38:38.110 align:start in low-income jobs, are not often told. 38:38.110 --> 38:39.410 align:start They're not often covered. 38:39.410 --> 38:41.200 align:start It's not something that we discuss enough. 38:41.200 --> 38:44.170 align:start So in that sense, I thought they're not documented. 38:44.170 --> 38:46.240 align:start So I thought it was -- you know, it's sort of like the opposite 38:46.240 --> 38:48.370 align:start of a documentary is something that's undocumented. 38:48.370 --> 38:52.340 align:start So that was another reason for calling the story that. 38:52.340 --> 38:57.010 align:start At the end of the book, I have an author's note, and in it, 38:57.010 --> 39:01.030 align:start I -- you know, I share different statistics. 39:01.030 --> 39:05.880 align:start I think it's about -- I think there's eight million 39:05.880 --> 39:09.310 align:start undocumented workers in the U.S., and -- 39:09.310 --> 39:13.730 align:start so that makes it about one in every 20 workers 39:13.730 --> 39:16.050 align:start in the U.S. is an undocumented person. 39:16.050 --> 39:18.730 align:start And because of their undocumented status, they are -- 39:18.730 --> 39:21.800 align:start you know, for fear of deportation, 39:21.800 --> 39:23.480 align:start they're often exploited. 39:23.480 --> 39:28.220 align:start You know, they tend to work in, you know, construction, 39:28.220 --> 39:33.990 align:start the service industry, and in agriculture, paid very poorly, 39:33.990 --> 39:42.080 align:start work long hours, and -- but, you know -- and so, obviously, 39:42.080 --> 39:44.360 align:start I don't think it's right that that is happening. 39:44.360 --> 39:47.590 align:start But what I try and mention in this author's note is 39:47.590 --> 39:51.430 align:start that that's bad for them, but it's bad for everyone. 39:51.430 --> 39:55.060 align:start Because I think that affects the conditions 39:55.060 --> 39:56.540 align:start of all working people. 39:56.540 --> 39:58.720 align:start So I think that when a group is exploited, 39:58.720 --> 40:02.230 align:start and is able to be abused like that, then it makes it 40:02.230 --> 40:06.450 align:start so that the working conditions for everyone deteriorate. 40:06.450 --> 40:08.780 align:start The people have to -- long work hours, get paid less, 40:08.780 --> 40:11.740 align:start have less opportunities to organize, to be compensated 40:11.740 --> 40:13.470 align:start when they have a problem at their job. 40:13.470 --> 40:15.530 align:start And so, that was a -- 40:15.530 --> 40:20.700 align:start that's just something that I hope people get out of the book. 40:20.700 --> 40:24.310 align:start You know, people say that the book is timely, 40:24.310 --> 40:25.950 align:start and I think this issue 40:25.950 --> 40:27.670 align:start of immigration is definitely very much 40:27.670 --> 40:28.970 align:start in the news these days. 40:28.970 --> 40:32.820 align:start You know, and, you know, we all hear about the -- 40:32.820 --> 40:35.160 align:start about what's going on in the border, you know, 40:35.160 --> 40:37.980 align:start and just the awful situation there, 40:37.980 --> 40:39.820 align:start the cruel treatment towards children, 40:39.820 --> 40:42.580 align:start towards migrants that is happening. 40:42.580 --> 40:45.340 align:start And so, you know, even though the book is something 40:45.340 --> 40:49.440 align:start that I started working on 10 years ago, it was relevant then, 40:49.440 --> 40:51.730 align:start and it's definitely very relevant now. 40:51.730 --> 40:53.810 align:start But also, just wanted to point 40:53.810 --> 40:58.450 align:start out that I think it's also relevant in other ways, too. 40:58.450 --> 41:00.050 align:start You know, today, there was -- 41:00.050 --> 41:03.610 align:start for example, the Chicago teachers decided 41:03.610 --> 41:04.910 align:start that they're going on strike. 41:04.910 --> 41:06.210 align:start You know, there's a strike 41:06.210 --> 41:08.640 align:start of auto workers, the GM auto workers. 41:08.640 --> 41:12.110 align:start There were more climate change strikes today. 41:12.110 --> 41:13.860 align:start You know, and so I think that this idea 41:13.860 --> 41:18.150 align:start of organizing is something very important, you know, 41:18.150 --> 41:23.050 align:start of protesting, of people not -- of standing up against abuse, 41:23.050 --> 41:29.110 align:start and of just trying to improve their situation somehow. 41:29.110 --> 41:35.660 align:start So that's something else that I hope the book shares 41:35.660 --> 41:37.100 align:start with people, that that's something else 41:37.100 --> 41:39.800 align:start that people get out of it. 41:39.800 --> 41:45.130 align:start The book is very personal to me in a professional sense, 41:45.130 --> 41:47.230 align:start and I'll speak a little bit more about that 41:47.230 --> 41:48.800 align:start when we do the workshop after. 41:48.800 --> 41:51.630 align:start But it's definitely -- it's the book that led me to -- 41:51.630 --> 41:54.050 align:start I have a very distinctive way of drawing, 41:54.050 --> 41:56.410 align:start very much inspired by pre-Columbian art. 41:56.410 --> 42:00.050 align:start And it was this project -- this began as my -- 42:00.050 --> 42:02.960 align:start what is now a book first began as my senior project when I was 42:02.960 --> 42:06.290 align:start in university, and that's what led me to kind of come 42:06.290 --> 42:07.810 align:start up with this illustration style. 42:07.810 --> 42:11.830 align:start And I'll talk a little bit more about that later, and try 42:11.830 --> 42:15.770 align:start and show some images, so it's a little bit more clear. 42:15.770 --> 42:17.900 align:start And it's also the book that put me on this path 42:17.900 --> 42:20.360 align:start of becoming a published author, a published illustrator. 42:20.360 --> 42:25.050 align:start So it's very dear to me, and it's sort 42:25.050 --> 42:28.240 align:start of a very full-circle moment, so to speak, you know, to something 42:28.240 --> 42:31.670 align:start that I wasn't able to publish when I first worked on it more 42:31.670 --> 42:34.940 align:start than 10 years ago, to now have it published and be recognized 42:34.940 --> 42:37.380 align:start for it is very special to me. 42:37.380 --> 42:38.680 align:start And so, I just want to say 42:38.680 --> 42:41.940 align:start that I'm very grateful, and very thankful. 42:41.940 --> 42:43.740 align:start Thank you. 42:43.740 --> 42:56.660 align:start [ Applause ] 42:56.660 --> 42:58.190 align:start >> Denise Woltering-Vargas: We'd actually like you to stay, 42:58.190 --> 43:03.130 align:start and we're going to do our tradition of gifting a weaving, 43:03.130 --> 43:06.580 align:start which represents the weaving of telling stories, 43:06.580 --> 43:08.420 align:start the gift that you have, and we'd also 43:08.420 --> 43:11.960 align:start like to have Francie come up. 43:11.960 --> 43:15.240 align:start This is a tradition started by the founder of the award. 43:15.240 --> 43:18.950 align:start These weavings are brought to us by -- 43:18.950 --> 43:22.360 align:start Tulane University has a Kaqchikel Maya language scholar, 43:22.360 --> 43:25.760 align:start a program, and she brings these each year 43:25.760 --> 43:29.190 align:start for our Americas Award authors and illustrators. 43:29.190 --> 43:32.510 align:start So we will be giving you each one of our weavings. 43:32.510 --> 43:33.810 align:start So here. Thank you so much. 43:33.810 --> 43:35.610 align:start >> Duncan Tonatiuh: Thank you, thank you thank you. 43:35.610 --> 43:49.140 align:start [ Applause ] 43:49.140 --> 43:50.440 align:start >> Colleen McCoy: Hi, everyone. 43:50.440 --> 43:52.500 align:start My name is Colleen McCoy, and I'm the co-coordinator, 43:52.500 --> 43:54.920 align:start along with Denise, of the Americas Award. 43:54.920 --> 43:57.570 align:start Just wanted to say thank you again to the Library 43:57.570 --> 44:00.630 align:start of Congress, to Suzanne Schadl, Dani Thurber, 44:00.630 --> 44:03.140 align:start and the Hispanic Division, to the founder 44:03.140 --> 44:05.690 align:start of the Americas Award, Julie Kline, 44:05.690 --> 44:08.580 align:start and to all of the authors, illustrators, and publishers 44:08.580 --> 44:11.050 align:start who submitted to this year's award. 44:11.050 --> 44:13.780 align:start Thank you to the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs, 44:13.780 --> 44:15.500 align:start and to all of this year's sponsor. 44:15.500 --> 44:19.100 align:start And thank you to the phenomenal review committee, 44:19.100 --> 44:22.640 align:start with a special thanks to committee chair David Campos. 44:22.640 --> 44:25.150 align:start This committee was incredibly meticulous 44:25.150 --> 44:28.540 align:start and thoughtful during the entire review process, 44:28.540 --> 44:31.400 align:start and we couldn't be more grateful to each of you. 44:31.400 --> 44:33.630 align:start Now, as Duncan mentioned earlier, 44:33.630 --> 44:37.090 align:start the Americas Award is not just a children's book award, 44:37.090 --> 44:39.790 align:start but also represents a variety of resources 44:39.790 --> 44:42.140 align:start for teachers and librarians. 44:42.140 --> 44:45.260 align:start The CLASP website, claspprograms.org, 44:45.260 --> 44:48.230 align:start which is listed in your program, holds a collection 44:48.230 --> 44:51.840 align:start of open-access resources for teachers, librarians, 44:51.840 --> 44:53.910 align:start and outreach professionals. 44:53.910 --> 44:57.810 align:start This includes educator guides to accompany recognized titles, 44:57.810 --> 45:00.790 align:start as well as a comprehensive toolkit full 45:00.790 --> 45:04.890 align:start of classroom activities, curriculum, ideas for workshops 45:04.890 --> 45:07.610 align:start and ideas, and other suggestions for engaging 45:07.610 --> 45:09.540 align:start with the Americas Award. 45:09.540 --> 45:13.510 align:start Thank you all for coming, and we look forward to next year. 45:13.510 --> 45:19.840 align:start [ Applause ]