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Kizzie Jones’ two books are translated into Spanish

By Thomas Wert – German United Church Seattle

Kizzie Jones, a retired UCC chaplain, has had her two children’s tall tale picture books translated into Spanish as a way to carry out her ministry to promote peace by building bridges, not walls.

Kizzie Jones

The translations arose through her involvement in two literacy programs, Las Hermanitas de Isabella (Sisters of Isabel) in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Sala de Lectura (Reading Room) in Baha.

"The programs gather donated books, which volunteers take to parks, schools and shopping areas, so children, young adults and families can read to each other or alone," Kizzie said.

Impressed with the dedication and professionalism of Professor Alfonso Winston, who spearheads the literacy effort in Cabo, she was thrilled when he agreed to translate her books into Spanish.

Her books are How Dachshunds Came to Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog (2012) and A Tall Tale about a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be (2016). The first focuses on kindness, compassion and collaboration. The second highlights that “we can like without being alike.”

Now bilingual editions of both her books are available for children and parents to read in Spanish or use them to learn and practice English.

Early in March 2017, Kizzie’s books were featured as a play, “How Dachshunds Came to Be,” and as a dramatic reading (A Tall Tale about a Dachshund and a Pelican) at the FeLCa ‘17 Book Fair at the Cabo Pavilion for K-12 children and their families.

Kizzie and Alfonso shared in a dialogue for the attendees about writing. She was also interviewed for a high school newspaper not only about writing, but also about current political tensions.

“My simple tall tales model the values needed for a respectful co-existence,” she said.

“In today’s political climate, in which walls of fear, hate and isolation are advanced, these books help communicate the importance of collaboration, compassion, kindness, and honoring diversity in our world,” she said.

For information, visit kizziejones.com.

 

Pacific Northwest United Church News © September-October 2017

 

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