Fall Fanfare
Rafi amd Rosi menu
THE Art
It seems that the percentage of illustrators creating analog art is diminishing fast. I recently heard a group of librarians and kid lit award committee members mentioning that there is a ‘sameness’ in illustration style in children’s books published today.
I can only speak for myself, but I will say that creating art with materials that you can touch plunges me in the zone. I relish the happy mistakes and delightful discoveries that happen in any technique I choose for a particular manuscript. As I work on the same book throughout a period of several months, a deep knowledge of the characters or subject matter arises. Time allows me to fall in love with the stories and that in turn makes for art that speaks to my readers. They’ll find those messages hidden in the details, or the characters’ expressions. And I end up thinking things through to avoid mistakes. But again, when errors happen, they may turn out to be catalysts for invention.
I’ve spent the last seven months layering color washes over my favorite velvety smooth watercolor paper. You would think that I’m creating art for the centuries instead than for just a 64 page book. This is the final title in the Rafi and Rosi Series. A beginner series that I pride myself in writing both in English and Spanish. The series started in 2004 with one publisher, was later embraced by another, and is now coming to an end with the title Rafi and Rosi Menu. This, more than twenty years later. Out on 2025, the fifth and last title will share the joy of creating Puerto Rican specialties. Yes, there will be recipes! Those of you who know me personally, can attest to my love of cooking.
Here’s a sneak peek! Can you guess what the coquí siblings are making in this piece of art?
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
Cool Green at ncte
It’s an honor to have the only two STEAM titles that I’ve created so far, recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English. They are Olinguito de la A a la Z Descubriendo el bosque nublado: Olinguito from A to Z Unveiling the Cloud Forest and Cool Green: Amazing Remarkable Trees. Olinguito de la A a la Z was selected as an Orbis Pictus Honor title in 2016 and Cool Green was selected as a Commended Title in 2023.
There’s been a recent increase in books created by Latinas with a STEAM focus. However, do educators know this? And why does it matter? Do these titles offer a unique perspective? Join authors and educators Alexandra Alessandri, Adriana Bergstrom, Marta Magellan and myself at NCTE where on a Saturday afternoon, after the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon, we’ll gather to discuss, share, and learn from each other. There will also be a signed book giveaway!
Please know that there is still some availability for author visits for Spring 2025. Plan your bilingual author visit today.