Seeds for Stories
Spotlight on Students
Heritage as a Source of Inspiration
For quite a long time now, I’ve been encouraging students and their families to draw inspiration from their parents’ heritage, culture, and native language to write a story. Everyone has a story to tell. It’s a matter of drawing it out of oneself, mixing it with one’s knowledge, and adding some imagination. Being able to reach and inspire Latinos of all ages to do just this, is one thing I enjoy doing. But, you don’t have to take my word for it.
"Lulu was just phenomenal! … She was full of fun energy and had everyone in the audience listening and participating. She facilitated a family session including parents and and children (infants through middle schoolers) about the writing process and where we get inspiration for telling our stories… So many of our parent and teacher participants … felt seen and understood by Lulu." —Dr. Heather K. Olson Beal, Professor, Education Studies, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Who is Essential in Your School Community?
Who is essential in your school community? I ask at the end of programs on the book, Veo, Veo, I See You prompting young minds to make connections. After learning the meaning of the word “essential,” and discussing which worker is important and why, comes the fun part. In pre-made hearts each student writes a thank you note to their school hero. It’s beautiful to see these workers aknowledged by the students they serve.
Some dates are still available the current school calendar! Plan your bilingual author visit NOW.
Happy 35th Anniversary Arroz con Leche!
April of 1989 saw the first printing of Arroz con leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America. I got my editor excited about the idea by singing the songs over the phone. I told her that it was the Latino equivalent of Mother Goose Rhymes. And I argued that I couldn’t find a book like this for my own babies. Scholastic, the publisher, looked into it. It found that, at the time, the US public school system had a significant amount of Latino students to warrant publication.
Back then, I doubt that anyone imagined that this book would still be in print 35 years later. What makes the humble collection still relevant? Is it the melodies and lyrics or the fact that it’s bilingual? I lack an answer. But I find it heartwarming that decades later this folklore is still alive in the hearts and minds of new immigrants to the USA.
Just this past week, at a Maryland school, I showed a slide with covers of my books. A second grader exclaimed, “I know that book, it’s here in the library!” Others nodded. I got curious and sang part of the game song that gives the book its title. Then, I asked how many students recognized the melody. About 25% said they did. Amazing.
So, today I toast to the book. It has brought cheer to countless Latino families who stumbled upon it in their nearby school or public library. Sweet, like a bowl of arroz con leche topped with canela.
art Shows
I’m thrilled to have art included in two exhibits at Strathmore Mansion, Rockville, MD. Destinations is currently open; and Drawing for Art opens April 20. Swing by if around!