Pat Mora

Rebecca Longstreth

English 3305

TR 1:30 – 2:50

April 14, 2011

Pat Mora

Pat Mora was born into Mexican-American family on January 19, 1942 in El Paso, Texas. In her bilingual home, books played an important role in her upbringing and in her decision to become an educator, university professor and administrator, and author. In addition to writing, Ms. Mora is founder of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) celebrated annually on April 30th. She is the mother of three grown children, and now resides with her husband Dr. Vern Scarborough in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Ms. Mora has always stated that her Mexican-American culture, and growing up in the desert are important parts and themes in her writing of children’s books, her poetry and nonfiction for adults. Many of her ideas came from the desert where she grew up, the open spaces, wide sky, the bright sun and the animals that would scurry across the hot sand or fly high over the mountains. Ms. Mora also draws inspiration from her family. She has written stories about her aunt who danced on her 90th birthday, and her mother who wanted to be a rainbow tulip when she was in grade school.

Pat Mora has written a wide variety of literature from children’s books, to poems, university textbooks, and adult nonfiction stories. Some of her works for children include, Tomás and the Library Lady, Doña Flor, and The Bakery Lady (La señora de la panaderia). Some of her nonfiction work for adults and textbooks include, Nepantla, Zing, Agua Santa (Holy Water), and Borders. Her works of poetry are included in her books, Pat Mora: My Own True Name, and Dizzy In Your Eyes: Poems About Love.

Pat Mora has been honored with many awards throughout her distinguished career as an educator, and author. Some of her many honors and awards include:

Distinguished Alumna, University of Texas at El Paso, 2004

National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship in Poetry, 1994

Kellogg...