Marisa de Jesus

Clearview Elementary School in Bethlehem, PA unanimously selects There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! as the year’s feature storybook rich in culture

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:13:06 +0000

I was simply blown away, and almost in tears – tears of joy that is, when I walked into the main entrance of Clearview Elementary School for author visit day. The incredible murals based on There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! were absolutely breathtaking! Every hallway in the school displayed a theme which teachers pulled from the storybook such as friendship, conservation, saving the rainforest, learning about the Puerto Rican culture and, of course, Carlito the Coquí and his entire coquí family!

The students and teachers worked very hard, for approximately 2-3 months, to accomplish this magnificent feat. As I walked down one hallway and looked to my left, I almost fell over. There it was, a three dimensional, 10′ x 7′ mural of the cover art of the book which covered the wall! It was totally awesome!

My sincerest thanks and appreciation to Mary Colon, Principal of Clearview Elementary School for her approval of this entire project and her kindness for the invitation to visit Clearview! Her professionalism and her desire to see the children excel in literature and every other area of their lives is to be commended. You can definitely witness her positive leadership trickle down to the teachers! To the extraordinary students at Clearview: I will never forget you and thank you for making me feel so welcome and loving the storybook so much! I love you guys! To the teachers and entire faculty: Your dedication to these students is simply outstanding. Thank you for a job well done! To Marlene “Linny” Fowler, a major philanthropist in the Lehigh Valley area: Thank you for your generous contribution to Clearview in making sure that every child received their very own a copy of There’s a Coquí in My Shoe!; and To Maurene Schultheis and her wonderful children: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your assistance in making sure everything went smoothly and for your help in taking down the murals for my safekeeping!

I hope you enjoy these Magnificent Murals as much as I do! God Bless!

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Commends “There’s a Coquí in My Shoe!”

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:17:18 +0000

Hi Everyone! I received this surprise today and am just so excited to share it with you! Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice) has sent the following note to Chi Chi Rodriguez saying how much she enjoyed “There’s a Coquí in My Shoe!“

Letter from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

A wonderful time at “El Dia del los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)” festivities at the Please Touch Museum!

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:39:53 +0000

Great FUN was had by all during last week’s “El Dia del los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)” festivities at the Please Touch Museum. My sincerest thanks to everyone at Please Touch Museum, Telemundo and Philly HolaCiudad for the invitation to read There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! and all their hard work to make it a successful day! Looking forward to seeing everyone again real soon.

In addition to all of the beautiful, large exhibits currently on display at the museum, the day was filled with bilingual activities celebrating the Latino culture! We all had a blast, and I sure didn’t want the day to end. Take a moment to view the Please Touch Museum Virtual Tour. It’s a fantastic hands-on museum where adults and children can learn and explore together.

I love the Please Touch Museum’s logo. The museum was formerly located in Center City, Philadelphia, drawing 200,000 visitors a year. Because of its success, the museum had to move into bigger space and is now located at Fairmont Park in Philadelphia with over 400,000 visitors a year! Truly awesome!

Here I am getting ready for storytime in the Please Touch Museum's Story Castle. The oversized throne chair was intimidating to say the least. But as soon as I sat down, my fears dissolved as the children made me feel like queen for the day! The kids and parents were remarkably wonderful and supportive.

This is Beth Kirk, Director of Retail Operations at the Please Touch Museum. She and her staff made sure everything ran smoothly for the day. Thank you Beth, Norah, Chamee and everyone on staff at the museum for all your help. You guys are great!

This is Yolanda Jimenez-Colon, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for Telemundo. Thanks so much, Yolanda, for your successful marketing campaign for "El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day)" at the Please Touch Museum and your invitation to do a reading. Your efforts and everyone's at Telemundo and Philly HolaCiudad are greatly appreciated!

Marisa invited by Telemundo Philadelphia and the Please Touch Museum to Celebrate “El Día de los Niños/El Dia de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)” on Saturday, May 1, 2010!

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:40:42 +0000

“Keep Your Hands Off.” “Please Don’t Touch.” Phrases you and your children find, all too often, on placards when visiting museums. But great news, everyone! If you’re visiting Philadelphia next weekend, make it a point to stop by and join in on the celebration of El Día de Los Niños at the Please Touch Museum (the Children’s Museum of Philadelphia; www.pleasetouchmuseum.org) where your children can touch, touch, touch to their hearts’ content. Marisa has been invited to read from her storybook, There’s a Coquí in My Shoe!, at the Museum’s Story Castle, at 3:30 p.m on Saturday, May 1, 2010. An appearance by Dora the Explorer will also be made earlier in the day at the Castle. The fun-filled celebration continues with Latin American music, dance, and concert performances throughout the day. El Día de Los Niños, which was founded by nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora in 1996, celebrates the importance of literacy for children of all backgrounds. I sure hope to see you there. It will be lots of fun for the entire family! The Please Touch Museum is “dedicated to enriching the lives of children by providing learning opportunities through play.” Aaaah . . . shucks! I’m eagerly awaiting for the opening of the first Please Touch Museum for grown ups. Kids are just so lucky!

For more information, please visit the following links:

1. Press Release

2. Marisa’s interview with Philadelphia Hola Ciudad and Telemundo

Broadway Legend, Chita Rivera Endorses Marisa’s New and Upcoming Children’s Book; Book Release Date: Fall of 2011!

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:12:34 +0000

Extraordinary actress/singer/dancer and multiple Broadway Tony Award Winner, Chita Rivera, reviewed Marisa’s manuscript for her new and upcoming children’s book which is scheduled to be released in 2011. Chita loved the story and provided her glowing endorsement! Marisa and her husband, Vincent, were thrilled to meet Chita Rivera this past Saturday at one of her performances at the Lincoln Center in New York, after midnight. Ms. Rivera was absolutely amazing and still going strong! Chita’s Broadway credits include: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, West Side Story, Chita & All That Jazz, etc. Ms. Rivera was born to Puerto Rican parents and grew up in the Bronx.

On August 12, 2009, Ms. Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. It’s America’s highest civilian honor. Congratulations Chita!

I couldn’t resist posting the following great video clips of Chita Rivera. She’s certainly a true talent! I hope you enjoy them. I certainly did!

Chita Rivera on the Judy Garland Show in 1963:

Chita Rivera on the Ed Sullivan Show:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6993089738183823808#

Dinah Shore, Julie Andrews & Chita Rivera:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6993089738183823808#docid=-8726369837893450767

Chita Rivera and Jack Cole:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcwwcPvoCjU

The quintessential performer, Chita Rivera! Chita was so kind to give the okay for Marisa and her husband to meet her after her performance at the Lincoln Center in New York. Marisa presents a dozen roses to an especially fabulous woman. Brava, Chita!

This is Rosie, Chita Rivera's manager. Rosie is just wonderful and it was such a pleasure for Marisa and her husband to meet her as well. After reading There's a Coqui in My Shoe!, Rosie asked Marisa, "Did you know that Chita's sister's name is Lola and her brother's name is Armando?!" (Lola and Armando are character names in There's a Coqui in My Shoe!). Marisa had no idea of this! Marisa truly believes there are no coincidences in life: God is awesome and orchestrates the best surprises. Thanks again, Lord, for the ongoing adventure!

Marisa's supportive and gem-of-a-husband, Vincent, with Broadway Legend Chita Rivera after her performance at the Lincoln Center in New York. Even Vincent was taken back by Ms. Rivera's talent and beauty (inside and out)!

Marisa’s Signing at the Oldest Bookstore in the World!

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:54:39 +0000

The oldest bookstore in the world just happens to be where I was born and raised, Bethlehem, PA! The Moravian Book Shop was founded in 1745 when the Moravian Church appointed Samuel Powell to operate a bookstore, and is located in the heart of Historic Main Street in Bethlehem. The book shop offers a fine selection of books, including There’s a Coquí in My Shoe!, and a wide variety of distinctive merchandise, among them the famous Moravian stars. There’s a Coquí in My Shoe! was well-received at the book shop and appeared in the Morning Call newspaper (see below) as the #1 Local Best Seller children’s book for the week! Thank you, Lord!

There's a Coquí in My Shoe! was the #1 Best Seller for the Week at the Moravian Book Store!

The Moravian Book Shop, the oldest book shop in the world!

Pictured here with Jane Clugston, the children's book buyer at Moravian Book Shop. Thank you so much, Jane, for all your hard work in helping to make the signing a success. It was such a pleasure to have met you and your staff.

I had such a great time signing books and meeting the kids and their parents. It was such a special moment for me to return to my hometown and hold a book signing at the famous Moravian Book Shop, an experience I'll never forget.

BHA Executive Director, Clara Kendy, features Marisa in the BHA’s 70th Anniversary Newsletter (Page 4)

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:12:40 +0000

As a young girl, Marisa grew up in the BHA developments. She was thrilled to meet Clara Kendy at a book signing of There’s a Coqui in My Shoe! Mrs. Kendy has worked with the BHA since 1966. She began her career as a clerk and presently is the Executive Director of BHA. Clara was excited to read in the Morning Call newspaper of Marisa growing up in the BHA. Clara encourages those who live at the BHA that with perseverance and hard work dreams do come true. Marisa extends her sincerest thanks to Clara for her awesome and continued support and her purchase of numerous copies of the book to share with after school programs, etc. Thank you, Clara, and everyone at BHA!

You can check out the details here:

http://bha645.homestead.com/HousingHeadlines_W_2009.pdf

My Book Signing at Libreria Paliques in Ponce, Puerto Rico

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:25:33 +0000

¡Hola! And blessings to you and your families. Another successful book signing at a terrific bookstore called Libreria Paliques established in 1975, and located at the Centro del Sur Mall in Ponce, Puerto Rico. If you’re ever in Ponce, please visit Angie Figueroa Anadon, the bookstore owner. She’s just wonderful and there are alot of great books to choose from in her store. Ponce is such a beautiful city, the second largest in Puerto Rico, and known as La Ciudad de los Leones (City of Lions). It has an amazing downtown plaza called Plaza de las Delicias. So don’t miss it. My thanks to Angie, and Michelle Parrilla and Katherine Watts of Commercial Centers Management for organizing the event and making it so memorable!

Libreria Paliques Owner, Angie Figueroa Anadon, did a fantastic job with the froggy window display. Big frogs, li'l frogs and more frogs, Oh my! It was truly adorable!

Angie was such a gracious and kind host. Thank you, Angie, for a great job publicizing the book signing event!

I loved the question and answer session immediately following storytime.

If you're ever in Bayamon and have a sweet tooth, make it a point to visit Daylight Donuts. Owner, Pablo Ortiz Acevedo (left), stopped by with his good friend, Nestor Oritz (right), to the Libreria Paliques book signing and donated boxes and boxes of his wonderfully scrumptious, delicious doughnuts. These doughnuts are simply amazing! Really. I'm not kidding. Try one and you're hooked. I definitely am. It's the pieces of real fruit Pablo adds to the filling and the fresh dough made every time. I love the coconut and pineapple fillings. I wish I had a Daylight Donut right now! Thank you, Pablo and Nestor, for your encouragement and supporting There's a Coqui in My Shoe!

Marisa Invited to Celebrate the 2nd Annual Florida Virtual School Hispanic Heritage Celebration

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:35:57 +0000

Spanish Instructor, Yamilca Gomez, and Florida Virtual School Students Interview Marisa, with this year’s theme being “Latinos in the U.S.” Read all about it!’

http://niac.flvs.net/dec09/features/interview.php

Marisa Interviewed by Philadelphia School TV Channel 52

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:23:24 +0000

Marisa is a guest on "Spanish for the Intermediate Grades" hosted by Maria E. Mills-Torres, Facilitator. The Philadelphia School District does a fantastic job exposing students to the arts through PS TV 52!