Lola & Tots Latinx Heritage Celebration

We invite you to an afternoon of book readings, performances and arts and crafts as we showcase children-focused books, art and drama. This is an opportunitiy to bring together families in Brooklyn and celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community. Featured artists will be selling children's books, classes, and art kits. Check out the scheduled artists to learn how our community is working to highlight Latinx heritage.

Lola & Tots is a cultural education center redefining work-life balance with a new way to work and play that benefits the entire family. Offering membership-based childcare with co-working benefits, enrichment programming, open play, event space and more.

Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an Afro-Latinx, Womxn-Owned Intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop in Crown Heights Brooklyn.

Here's what we have lined up:

Read-Alouds(followed by thematic arts & craft activities)

• THE COQUIES STILL SING written by Karina Nicole González, illustrated by Krystal Quiles: Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family’s beloved mango tree—their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, “You are home, you are safe.” But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows. As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans.

• ONCE I WAS YOU - Adapted for Young Readers: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic written by Maria Hinojosa: Maria Hinojosa is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, a bestselling author, and was the first Latina to found a national independent nonprofit newsroom in the United States. But before all that, she was a girl with big hair and even bigger dreams. Born in Mexico and raised in the vibrant neighborhood of Hyde Park, Chicago, Maria was always looking for ways to better understand the world around her—and where she fit into it. Here, she combines stories from her life, beginning with her family’s harrowing experience of immigration, with truths about the United States’s long and complicated relationship with the people who cross its borders, by choice or by force. Funny, frank, and thought-provoking, Maria’s voice is one you will want to listen to again and again. 8yrs - 12 yrs

• THE SECRET OF THE PLATANO written by Luz Maria Mack: Under the full moon, Abuela leads an enchanted dance and helps her curious grandson discover the rhythm of his heartbeat while listening to the rustle and bustle of the plátanos in the breeze. This magical union between a grandmother and her grandson shows children how the secrets of life are written in nature, under the stars, and in the sounds of the whispering leaves.

• TRAVEL CON LOLA TO LA REPUBLICA DOMINICANA written by Jessenia Rios and Natalie Rios, illustrated by Jonathan Valdez: Lola is a Dominican-American girl with an adventurous spirit who loves to travel and explore the world. In this Spanglish book, Lola travels to the Dominican Republic to visit her familia during her summer vacation. Lola's travels tells of the authors' own childhood memories… and it is dedicated to the idea that as children of immigrants, our minds are open to absorb two different cultures. Whether you’re Latinx or not, Travel Con Lola takes you on a fun and vibrant adventure to la República Dominicana.

ART EXPLORATION

NYC based Dominican-American artist, Michele Diaz, will be exploring and sharing traditional dominican foods by leading children in a fun art activity combining paint and culture. All art materials provided at the event with opportunity for children take home their artistic creations.

Additional performances/details to come.

Be sure to register for a free ticket. Space is limited. Open to all ages.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lola & tots, 1109 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, United States