RIDGEWOOD, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- El rio me lo dijo, me lo dijo el rio is a collection of poems, fruits of exposure with nature, people, places and things. Some of them relate to experiences lived as a child growing up in the sixties in Puerto Rico. The Rio Grande de Loiza and its many messages to author Hilda Medina are still fresh in her mind. Others relate to the urban and different life of New York City, the people of this wonderful city, the changing weather from winter to spring to summer and finally to exotic autumn, and the admiration of the great people whom she owes so much.
Some pieces tell a story, others tell a joke, and many are deep and philosophical. These poems could be read aloud to children, but are not exclusive to them. Older children may be able to read, comprehend, and analyze some of the pieces that could lead to a dialogue about events, moments, and things that are part of everyday lives. This dialogue may be extended to parents and other adults as well.
The purpose of this collection is to stimulate children's imagination and to view poetry as a means to reach a level of sophistication. Using their senses to describe what they see, feel, smell and touch, to display their feelings and imagination, and to read, analyze and decide that they can put those feelings in writing, this allows them to establish an interior dialogue that brings their sensitivity to surface. El rio me lo dijo, me lo dijo el rio promotes this dialogue to gradually evolve and emerge from the bottom of the reader's heart.
This book will be featured in the California Library Association at San Diego, CA, on November 12, 2010. For more information on this book, log on to www.Xlibris.com.
About the Author
Hilda E. Medina was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Growing up on a farm exposed her to firsthand experiences of what it means to live in a simple rural life. Seeing neighbors helping and collaborating with each other during hard moments of their lives were some of the best lessons learned by Hilda, her siblings, and her cousins in El Barrio Carraizo. Visiting, bathing, and fishing in the Rio Grande de Loiza River was both exciting and challenging. The river had a voice, and witnessed a variety of circumstances that made the simplistic rural life exotic and unique. At the age of nineteen, she became an elementary school teacher in El Barrio Carraizo. She taught and at the same time learned a great deal by being part of those humble but exciting surroundings. Students seemed joyful when learning how to read and write, and poetry was always present in the daily lessons. A few years later, she completed a Masters in Education and worked as a school principal in Rio Piedras for several years. This urban setting, although interesting, had another set of needs. The role of teaching and learning continued to be challenging but inspirational. Schoolteachers knew that children needed to be engaged through poetry and other art strategies in order to motivate them to learn. Those were wonderful educators, committed to the mission of teaching and who went that extra mile to make a difference in children's lives. Upon coming to New York City, along with her two adorable children, their lives turned around meaningfully. So many wonderful people had inspired her and they are reflected in her poetry. After an early retirement, she has compiled some of her poems, and has dedicated it to those who still believe in the power of poetry. The voice of the river still reverberates in the heads of some: El rio me lo dijo, me lo dijo el rio, meaning "Let's find its voice inside us!"
El rio me lo dijo, me lo dijo el rio * by Hilda E. Medina
Publication Date: October 28, 2009
Trade Paperback; $15.99; 84 pages; 978-1-4415-8589-9
Trade Hardback; $24.99; 84 pages; 978-1-4415-8590-5
Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7876.