Acclaimed children’s book author to visit National Hispanic Cultural Center in June for celebration of Pinturas, Palabras, y Paletas

June 3rd, 2022

Albuquerque, NM- On June 10th and 11th, the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) will host award-winning poet and children’s book author Dr. Carmen Tafolla for a two-day event, featuring a free reading followed by a first-of-its-kind Día de Familia celebration featuring a StoryWalk and other family-friendly activities. 

"Whether she’s writing for an audience of children or adults, Dr. Carmen Tafolla is an incredibly gifted author, and we’re delighted to welcome her to the National Hispanic Cultural Center,” said Dr. Margie Huerta, Executive Director of the NHCC. “Her appearance also kicks off our Día de Familia series, which will bring a new type of family-friendly fun to the Center!” 

The free ticketed event, the third in the NHCC’s Escribir | Escuchar: Hispanic & Latine Writer Series, kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10 with a reception in the Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts. Then, join us at 7 p.m. in the Bank of America Theatre for a reading and book-signing event, where Carmen will read selections from her more than 30 published works. 

The next day, NHCC will host its inaugural Día de Familia event, featuring pinturas, palabras and paletas. Visitors will have the chance to listen to a children’s book-reading from Dr. Tafolla’s book What Can you Do with a Paleta? (¿Que Puedes Hacer con una Paleta?), paint their own watercolor paletas, and participate in a bilingual StoryWalk, where pages from the book will be placed throughout the NHCC so kids and parents can follow along. 

The event kicks off NHCC’s Día de Familia series, filled with a wide range of family-friendly arts activities that are free to the public this summer. Check www.nhccnm.org/event for information about upcoming Día de Familia celebrations! 

In addition to writing more than 30 books for children and adults, Dr. Tafolla was named the state Poet Laureate of Texas in 2015. She currently serves as the president of the Texas Institute of Letters and has received numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Americas Award, presented to her at the Library of Congress in 2010; first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio 2012-2014; five International Latino Book Awards; two Tomas Rivera Book Awards; two ALA Notable Books; the Art of Peace Award; the Texas 2 by 2 Award; and Top Ten Books for Babies. 

Both events are free, though space is limited. Attendees can reserve their spot for both events at www.nhccnm.org/event. Escribir | Escuchar is generously supported by AARP and the Día de Familia series is generously supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Kids, Healthy Families. 

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities. The NHCC presents mission-related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing, and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historically designated building, a library, and a genealogy center. The NHCC is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.