The written word was the focus when the John M. Pfau Library at Cal State San Bernardino – along with Edward James Olmos, Latino Literacy Now and the Santos Manuel Student Union – hosted the sixth annual Inland Empire Latino Book and Family Festival on April 28. 

The event – held in CSUSB’s Santos Manuel Student Union – featured author presentations, book signings and readings, musical and dance performances, art and essay contests, as well as an array of interactive activities for children of all ages. It also included a free book giveaway for children and adults.

“The Inland Empire Latino Book and Family Festival is a wonderful event that brings together members of both the campus and broader community, while also promoting literacy and celebrating Latino literary achievements,” said Cesar Caballero, dean of the John M. Pfau Library, who, along with his wife, Sue Caballero, is one of the festival’s sponsors. 

Other festival highlights included an education-themed puppet show, a lecture on healthy lifestyle choices, and a workshop on how to write and publish a children’s book, plus performances by Bàllet Folklorico Cultural and Mariachi Juvenil Corona De Angeles, and other activities that promote reading and literacy.

Additional sponsors were the Inland Empire Health Plan, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Rialto Unified School District, Libreria del Pueblo Inc., Office of Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes (District 47), and the Mexican Consulate.  CSUSB’s colleges of Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, together with the university’s Jack Brown H. College of Business and Public Administration, are also sponsors of the festival.

Photo by Peter Acosta/CSUSB