AAP formed the Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force in 2002 in response to the burgeoning market of books by and for Latinos with a mission to address those issues that are of particular concern to publishers in the market. The task force's primary goal is to heighten awareness and understanding among consumers and professionals in the industry of books authored by Latinos that appeal to diverse audiences. Participation on the Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force is open to all AAP member publishing companies.
In support of the nationwide festivities held annually on April 30 celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), the AAP PLVA Task Force, REFORMA (the national association to promote library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking), and the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), partner to create a recommended reading list for ages infancy-14 years for parents, educators, and others who choose books for children. For more information on El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) please visit the ALSC website.
Latino Books Month was launched in May 2004 to celebrate the wide variety of books by and for Latinos, in English, Spanish, and bilingual text. The task force creates summer reading lists that present a sampling of what is available from AAP member publishers.