I Pledge Allegiance

An award-winning author of children’s books, poetry, and nonfiction, Pat Mora is committed to bringing together all children with books. She often speaks at conferences, universities, and schools about creative writing, leadership, and multicultural education. She also works with national organizations on Día de los niños/Día de los libros, an April 30th celebration of childhood, books, languages, and cultures.  Born in El Paso, Texas, Mora has received numerous children’s book awards. In 2002 she was honored as a “Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library and included in “100 Library Champions” during the Texas Library Association’s Centennial.  Mora has been the Carruthers Chair, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico; a consultant on US-Mexico youth exchanges; an administrator and museum director at her alma mater, the University of Texas at El Paso; and has taught English at all levels. The proud mother of three grown children, she divides her time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. For more information on Pat Mora, visit her website at www.patmora.com.

Libby Martinez is the co-author of I Pledge Allegiance. Her mother, the award-winning author Pat Mora, was her writing partner for this book. Prior to becoming a children’s book author, Libby worked in the Texas political arena, served as the director of school and community partnerships for the Philadelphia Zoo, and founded a strategy consulting practice. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Stanford Law School. Libby lives in Colorado Springs, CO with her husband and a cat named Squirrel.   Website: www.libbymartinez.com

Patrice Barton created her first painting at the age of three, in Crisco on the dining room wall. She has illustrated many picture books, including Mine! by Shutta Crum and Sweet Moon Baby by Karen Henry Clark. Patrice lives in Cedar Park, Texas.