My Story
How I Got Here
From a young age, I knew that writing would play an important part of my life. In elementary school, my favorite memories involved learning new words, writing, drawing, and practicing for the annual Spelling Bee. In high school, I attended a diverse public school that experienced racial tension and I also had the chance to travel overseas with my French class. These experiences changed my life, opening my world to the importance of communication and perspectives. Travel abroad solidified my desire to study languages and cultures and to continue to learn about the world! In college, I set up a small business in my dorm room, editing, proofreading, and typing term papers, and I also mentored international and underrepresented students for the office of minority affairs. Throughout my teaching career working with English learners, I designed and wrote curriculum. After completing my doctoral degree, I moved into academic writing, conducting research and publishing educational articles in my areas of interest: children's literature, service learning and multiliterary.
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One of my passions is language learning, literacy, and advocating for language learners. When I write stories, I think about my readers and the language used in my children's books. Exposure to children's books improves empathy, and learning languages is a wonderful benefit in a global world. My research in bilingualism and multiculturalism clarified my beliefs that language learners are not only better able to multitask and improve performance in other academic areas, but they are also able to expand their worldview and appreciate the perspectives of others.
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Collecting children's literature and sharing books and stories is another lifelong passion, and now it is one of my greatest joys to write for young readers. While I am still learning about the children's book industry and improving my craft, I have written 15 picture books, illustrated 2 (so far!). I am working on a historical fiction early reader chapter book inspired by my childhood memories in Orange, California. My goal is to find a literary agent who can support my efforts to inspire children to use their gifts and be kind and generous people who are lifelong learners. In my spare time, I read aloud to children and stock Little Free Libraries in high impact areas, but I am especially interested in connecting with other children's book authors and illustrators.
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Here are the beginning lines of one of my children's books, GRANDMA REMEMBERED.
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Grandma’s bedroom was dark.
She couldn’t speak anymore
to say what she wanted.
Mama said Grandma had Alzheimer’s.
But Rose knew what Grandma wanted.
So, Rose opened the curtains.
“Come on, Grandma,” Rose said.