Videos

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Farm labor camps

In this video clip, Pam Muñoz Ryan explains where her mother was born.

A head start

Pam Muñoz Ryan started developing her writing skills before she even considered becoming a writer.

A princess life in Mexico

Esperanza Rising is loosely based on Muñoz Ryan’s grandmother, who had to leave her privileged life in Mexico for a farm labor camp in California.

Thunder is just a noise

Patricia Polacco braved the kicking cow, scratching chicken, and ominous thunder to gather ingredients for her grandmother’s Thunder Cake.

More contrast

Patricia Polacco explains why she sometimes chooses to illustrate in black and white instead of color.

The Teacher Who Changed Everything

In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, children’s book author Patricia Polacco recalls the day that her teacher discovered her dyslexia. 

Finding commonalities

Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco is a story that deliberately deals with the issue of skin color.

Multicultural citizens

Patricia Polacco grew up in an urban Oakland neighborhood where different colors, prayers, food, and dress were commonplace. Her multicultural books bring this diversity to children, no matter where they live.

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