Sep. 27: Waiting for the Biblioburro

When author Monica Brown first read about traveling librarian Luis Soriano, she felt inspired to write a children’s book about him.  After all, this was a man who braved attacks by snakes and armed bandits so he could carry books to poor children in rural Colombia on his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto.  Promoting literacy and education to kids continues to be his goal.

Brown combined her considerable writing talents with John Parra’s beautiful illustrations to create Waiting for the Biblioburro, a 2011 book which won a Christopher Award in the “Books for Young People” category.

During a Christopher Closeup interview, Brown explained, “[Luis] saw the lack of access to books and the lack of literacy.  He thinks that when you teach children about being citizens through critical literacy, that they can say ‘no’ to violence.  That’s his ultimate goal.  He wants the town of La Gloria, where he’s from, to be glorious.  He sees a connection between literacy, democracy and exercising positive choices for community.”

Reading can open horizons for people of all ages.  Pick up a good book today.

Be doers of the Word.  (James 1:22)

Father, help me make positive life choices.