The Ann. El Quixote Festival - Children's Voices Launches the 'Roots and Laughter' Anthology in P.R

RALEIGH, N.C. - Sept. 1, 2025 - PRLog -- SAN JUAN, PR – A new bilingual book for children, "Raíces y Risas: Cuentos y voces de mi Borikén | Roots and Laughter: Stories and voices of my Borikén," will launch on September 29th at the Historic Puerto Rico National Library. The book, an anthology of stories written by public school teachers in Puerto Rico, is a collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Education. This event kicks off a nine-month festival celebrating children's literature and culture.

The book, created for pre-kindergarten through third-grade students, features eight original stories that celebrate Puerto Rican culture and identity—from the sound of the coquí to the taste of traditional foods. It also includes an extensive bilingual glossary and lesson plans for each story, making it a valuable resource for educators and parents. The anthology includes a special message from legendary entertainer José Vega Santana (ReMi).

"For the National Library of Puerto Rico, it is an honor to host this literary celebration that reflects our collective identity," said Carmen T. Pérez González, Director of the National Library of Puerto Rico. "This gathering not only pays tribute to our traditions but also strengthens our commitment to preserve and disseminate the cultural memory of the country."

Indhira Castro Rivera, Operations Manager of the Early Childhood Education Program, highlighted the initiative's value, stating, "Fostering reading from childhood is sowing seeds of knowledge, imagination, and success. A child who reads will be an adult who thinks and transforms the world!"

Rafael A. Osuba, Editor, Founder, and Artistic Director of the publishing house, added, "Children deserve to see themselves represented in the books they read, regardless of their background. Bilingual books can serve as a bridge for other children to learn about and appreciate different cultures, promoting empathy and inclusion."

The launch at the National Library is the first stop on a multi-week tour around the island. The festival will also include cultural events like a Quixotic Night in Morovis and a Bilingual Children's Book Fair in Mayagüez.

About ASP Books: Artist Studio Project Publishing LLC., also known as ASP Books, is an independent publisher of multicultural books interested in all creative, academic, and cultural Latino books and writings by and about Puerto Ricans, Latin Americans, Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Central Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and writers of color. ASP Books manages The El Quixote Festival.

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