With the aim of fostering a love of reading, stimulating cognitive skills, and offering healthy social spaces away from screens, the Mazatlán Municipal Government—through the Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism, and Art, the Municipal Center for the Arts, and the Municipal Public Library Network—has relaunched its free programs for children and seniors.
Initiatives such as “Grandparent Tuesdays” (*Martes del Abuelo*) and “Little Readers” (*Pequeños Lectores*) seek to strengthen learning and holistic well-being through various weekly activities:
Ing. Manuel Bonilla Library (City Center): As part of the patriotic holiday celebrations, adults participated in a reading of *La Independencia de México* (Mexico’s Independence) by Ernesto de la Torre Villar. Meanwhile, children enjoyed a story of the same title by José Manuel Villalpando and finished with a craft workshop themed around the patriotic month.
Margarita Ramírez de González Library (Infonavit El Conchi): Participants read the story *El maíz de la hormiguita* (The Little Ant’s Corn) by Elisa Ramírez Castañeda and reflected on values such as respect, love, and tolerance. Additionally, the children made “Dove of Peace” crafts to commemorate the International Day of Peace (September 21) and enjoyed a round of the traditional *Lotería* game.
El Quelite Library: Staff visited the Hans Christian Andersen Kindergarten to share the story *The Sword in the Stone* with second-grade students, who decorated an image of the sword with *papel picado* (cut paper) and participated in motor-skill stimulation activities.
