Miami, May 4, 2017 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) acclaimed Miami Book Fair (MBF) in partnership with Cuatrogatos Foundation will host Picnic de Libros, a literary picnic for children of all ages on Saturday, May 20, from 2 – 5 p.m., at MDC’s Koubek Center. It will be an afternoon, under the sun for families, to enjoy storytelling, theater plays, music, and free books. The cultural initiative is free and aims to encourage children to enjoy reading and develop a passion for books and literature.
The event will feature “El gallito que no podía cantar” (The Rooster that could not crow), presented by Zun Zun Arts & Education and the Artefactus Cultural Project. Children will enjoy the literary and musical performance, inspired by the Iberoamerican folktale “La margarita blanca” (The White Daisy), starring actress Daisy Fontao and musician Michel Gil. Families will also enjoy storytelling with Leonardo van Schermbeek and stories in the paper theater (Kamishibai) by Eddy Díaz Souza. The afternoon will be filled with raffles, treasure hunts, piñata, and many more surprises.
“Like Children’s Alley during the Miami Book Fair in November, May’s Picnic de Libros, will further our mission of creating a community of readers and engaged citizens,” said Lissette Mendez, MBF’s director of programs. “The great fun we’ll have is a bonus! These festivities will stimulate children’s creativity and develop an outreach to the community.”
This fun-filled afternoon is a literary and cultural feast where children and their parents are the main attraction. A special picnic will be served with blankets on the lawn and baskets full of “juicy” Spanish language books by the best publishing houses. The young and not-so-young, will all get to know new literary works that will make their imagination run wild.
“We are excited about partnering with Foundation CuatroGatos in presenting this inspiring children’s literacy program in our community,” said Delia Lopez, MBF’s director of operations. “We want to give a special thanks to our funders the State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs who made this fun family event possible at MDC’s Koubek Center.”
The event is made possible with the support of Lectorum Publications, Santillana USA, Spanish Publishers, Random House, Cinco Books, Ediciones Ekaré, La Poderosa y Cadena Azul, Radio Caracol, and the Abe Holtz Children’s Hospital. Special thanks goes to graphic designer, Oscar Fernández-Chuyn, and renowned Spanish artist Nuria Feijoó.
About Miami Book Fair
Miami Book Fair, widely considered the largest and finest literary event in the U.S., is part of the Cultural Affairs Department of Miami Dade College. In addition to the annual eight-day festival that takes place on the Wolfson Campus of the College in Downtown Miami, Miami Book Fair presents literary programs throughout Miami all year long. Miami Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings, including the Miami Book Fair, the Miami Film Festival, MDC Live Arts performing arts series, the Cuban Cinema Series, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, numerous renowned campus art galleries and theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. With an enrollment of more than 165,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways including baccalaureate, associate in arts and science degrees and numerous career training certificates leading to in-demand jobs. MDC has admitted more than 2,000,000 students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960.
About Cuatrogatos Foundation
Cuatrogatos Foundation is a non-profit organization which develops educational and cultural programs encouraging the joy of reading and a passion for books and literature among children and young adults in Miami. As part of their ongoing efforts, they organize author visits to local schools and seminars for parents and teachers. They also produce the annual Children’s Literature and Reading Seminar in November with the Miami Book Fair. For more information, visit www.cuatrogatos.org