Flip the Book, Not the Story

 by Sue Heavenrich

A few years ago on this blog, I wrote about “book turns” – incorporating images that require a reader to turn the book as they engage with the story. I hadn’t thought about it much until last week, when I happened upon a copy of Ursula Upside Down, written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor (Greenwillow Books, May 2024). The cover art clues you in that this will be an interactive reading!

 Ursula is a happy catfish, contentedly swimming through her world. A world in which “river weeds waved from above” and “rays of sun shimmered from below.” The watery greens and blues of the illustrations are delightful. 

The language is delicious, especially the “scrumptious buggy buffets” – and the reaction of some bug buddies when one of their comrades suddenly disappears.

The real fun comes when Ursula’s view of the world is flipped upside down. 

Now the reader has to flip the book 180 degrees and turn the pages in what feels a backward direction. Like Ursula, we might be questioning is left right? Is right wrong? And which way is up? There is a rescue, another book turn, and a satisfying ending. There is also an author’s note, in which Corey Tabor explains that there really is an upside-down species of catfish that live in the Congo River basin … or are we the ones who are upside down?

This isn’t the first flip-it-around book Corey’s created. Back in 2021 his book, Mel Fell (a Caldecott Honor book) hit the shelves. If you haven’t read it, it’s a story of a young bird learning to fly. This book opens vertically which, for me, makes it hard to hold on my lap and read. But what great fun for a kid – because now pages flip up instead of right-to-left. At one point, Mel falls down, down, down into the water. Now the reader has to turn the book 180-degrees so she can fly up, up, up and back to the nest. Here’s a short 1-minute video that shows the book turn.

Want to know more about what inspires Corey’s writing and art? Check out these interviews with Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and the Brightly Editors.

Have you read any fun books that incorporate turning the book or otherwise interacting with it? Please share them in the comments!

Here are a few additional titles folks suggested:

Animal Antipodes, by Carly Allen-Fletcher

 Pick a Pine, by Patricia Toht

Interview with Author Nancy Churnin on Her Latest Picture Book, Mama's Year with Cancer

I (Tina Cho) want to welcome author Nancy Churnin back to the Grog Blog. You can read a past post about her here. Nancy coauthored a picture book with Shayna Vincent titled Mama's Year with Cancer, illustrated by Wazza Pink, published by Albert Whitman on September 28, 2023. 

*Note: Sadly, on September 12, 2023, Shayna's five-year battle with breast cancer overtook her body and she passed away, three days after celebrating her daughter's 5th birthday. We think of her and her family and all those going through cancer. They are brave heroes. This blog post was written a week before her death. Shayna's family would love it if you purchased this book to help others understand cancer, perhaps buy a copy for your hospital or school or guidance counselor. Thank you! 

This book grabbed my attention because I went through a lumpectomy in 2021 and rung the bell after my radiation treatments, all the while I was still teaching. If you're looking for a book to talk to a child about cancer, this is perfect. Nancy also has a teacher's guide available.

My review (by Tina Cho)

In Mama’s Year with Cancer, a little girl learns to deal with her mama’s diagnosis of cancer, by making her cards, brushing her “new” hair carefully, but also “hating the port on mama’s chest which makes it hard to cuddle.” Speaking to a counselor makes the girl feel better. The girl and Daddy work together to make each holiday through Mama’s year of cancer special until Mama finally rings the bell. Lovely illustrations capture the emotions and headaches of going through cancer. Back matter includes author Shayna Vincent's story of cancer, tips for talking about cancer to children through age 8, further resources, and other books about cancer for children ages 4-8.

1. How did you come up with the idea to write a book about cancer for children?

Shayna Vincent is a dear friend that I met through her mother, children’s book author Johannah Luza. Shayna was struggling to find a book to explain to her young daughters what to expect when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I said to Shayna, “Let’s write the book you want to have in the world.” Shayna is an incredibly kind person who celebrates her daughters’ birthdays as Kindness Days, where they do things for others, just as we share in the book. The idea that she could help other families with our book was a powerful motivation for her. That is the hope we share, that the book will help families dealing with cancer feel seen and cared about and give others understanding and ideas of how to support those in their community with cancer.

                                                           Shayna Vincent with her daughter Avivah

2. You and Shayna collaborated on this book. I’ve never written a book with someone. How did that work? What was your process?

I asked a lot of questions. I listened. I knew that my role in the collaboration was to channel Shayna’s story and spirit and what she wanted to convey. I sent a draft to Shayna. She got back to me quickly with her writing, with notes about what I’d gotten right and what needed to be changed or revised. Drafts went back and forth until Shayna felt the truth of her voice and vision and I knew it was in a form that could help children understand, know their power to help, and the importance of expressing their feelings and receiving help.

3. How much research did you have to do for this story?

I am lucky to have two doctors in my family – my brother, Dr. Jon Churnin, and my brother-in-law, Dr. Carl Nash, as resources. My sister-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, so I was able to consult with her. I am also a longtime journalist who wrote for the Healthy Living section of The Dallas Morning News before I became their theater critic. As a health reporter, I am used to doing research and talking with doctors. I remember – just coincidence – that I had taken a class on cancer in college that I still remembered. I dedicated the book to my sister-in-law, Suzanne Updegraff, and also to my niece, Jaimee Granberry, who was diagnosed with breast cancer while the book was in progress. I am glad to report that Jaimee, who has three young daughters, is doing well, receiving excellent medical care, and loving support from her husband, Jared, and family. I hope she will continue to do well. One of the many things I learned from Shayna, though, is that cancer is never over. We hope for remission, and we stay vigilant.   

4. How long did it take to write this book?

This took a couple of months. It was the fastest writing and turnaround I have ever experienced. I think part of the reason was that Shayna and I were so in synch with each other, and our mission and the universe felt that this needed to be in the world. Sometimes it takes time for ideas to develop and grow. But in this case, we seemed to know exactly the story we wanted to tell. It felt as if we were chasing the story, trying to keep up, rather than pushing it along.

5. This story is told in 1^st person point of view, and it works beautifully. Did you originally write it in 1^st person?

It never occurred to either of us to write it any other way. Remember, Shayna wanted this to be a book she could share with her daughters to help them understand what cancer is, what the treatments would be like, how their mom would be feeling, what would change and what would stay the same, what they could do, and where they could turn to find help and support. So, it made sense to tell it in the voice of one of her daughters – Mila, who was four when Shayna received her diagnosis – and have the child share her discoveries with the reader.

6. Was it hard to find a publisher for a picture book on a grim topic like cancer?

I am grateful that I have built up relationships with editors and publishers over the years. I had five books published with Albert Whitman and two more on the way when I emailed this manuscript with Sue Tarsky, the senior editor there. I remember it was in December and Sue was on vacation in London. She got back to me the next morning saying she wanted to acquire it. From the start, Sue has been passionate about this story and her care and concern about Shayna. I feel we are all on this mission together to get Shayna’s story into the world.

7.  I like how this book addresses the emotions a child goes through when a family member experiences cancer. I’m sorry that Shayna and her family have had to go through this horrible experience. Did you also interview other families?

This is very much Shayna’s story – not a composite story. That said, I did draw upon medical experts, talk to people I knew who had been on the cancer journey, and do research to make sure everything is accurate. You will see a list of resources in the back matter and a bibliography of children’s books about cancer. I hope these will help people who want and need to know more.

8. I like how Shayna addressed the ringing of the bell in her author’s note, as there have been controversies as to “when” the bell should be rung. Did you also come across that issue when writing this book?

When we began the book, Shayna was very joyful about being able to ring the bell at the end of her year of chemotherapy. We capture that happiness and hope in the book. We felt that was important for a book that would be an introduction to a child’s understanding of having a parent with cancer. Shayna’s cancer journey didn’t end there, however, which you will learn in the back matter. Shayna’s cancer spread and she is now in Stage IV, undergoing new treatments. She addresses that in her author’s note: “Whether ringing that bell marks the end of treatment or the beginning of a new phase, I feel a family should look at it as only a part of their path, instead of one single event or a short period of time. Cancer doesn’t define a person, but even if a patient has been in remission for years or will forever be in active treatment, it changes a person.”

9. What advice would you give to our Grog readers about writing children’s books on hard topics?

Ignoring hard topics doesn’t make them go away. Children going through a difficult time need to feel seen, need to know they’re not alone, need to see strategies for dealing with their difficult situation, need to have their feelings of fear and anger and hope, worry and love validated. These books can be mirrors for these children and windows for children who know someone going through a difficult time. Shayna and I hope that simply by talking about cancer, explaining that it is not catching, how important it is to be a good friend, to share moments of fun, to help as you can, that it will start discussions and open hearts.   

10. What are your next books coming out?

This is a busy year for me! On the same day that Mama’s Year with Cancer comes out, I have my first historical fiction picture book: Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern, Halloween Comes to America. It’s the story of Lila, one of the many Irish immigrants who came to America during the Potato Famine of the 19^th century, and how she tries to keep her beloved Halloween traditions alive in her new home where people have never heard of these things before. The book is illustrated by Anneli Bray and published by Albert Whitman. I hope it reminds kids to be thankful of the gifts that immigrants bring us. I would love for kids to share images of the jack-o’-lanterns they carve, whether they carve them out of pumpkins or something else!

On Nov. 7, I have two books coming out. Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart brings me back to the world of picture book biographies with the story of Esther, who came up with the idea of creating and selling Valentine cards in the 1800s to help others express their feelings. I have created a project for this one called Valentines for All, encouraging kids to send valentines to people not expecting them – other kids, other schools, seniors, people in community programs, whoever would be lifted up by a loving note. The book is illustrated by Monika Roza Wisniewska and published by Albert Whitman.

Counting on Shabbat is my first board book. The 48-word rhyming text, aimed at toddlers, is about counting, Shabbat, and kindness as an elderly person prepares for the weekly celebration of Shabbat alone – and is surprised and delighted when there are five knocks on door and a family joins him bringing food and cheer. I hope this book reminds children to remember our seniors, to write notes, to visit, and to share pictures of the caring things they do on my Counting on Kindness page. The book is illustrated by Petronela Dostalova and published by Kar-Ben Publishing.

 

Nancy Churnin writes children's books about people that inspire kids to make a positive difference and encourage kids to be heroes, too. Dear Mr. Dickens, the story of a woman who spoke up to Charles Dickens, won the 2021 National Jewish Book Award and a 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor, is a Junior Library Guild selection and is featured in an educational program at The Charles Dickens Museum in London, teaching kids to recognize and stand up to antisemitism. Among her other honors: multiple Sydney Taylor Notables, National Council for the Social Studies Notables, Silver Eurekas, Mighty Girl lists, Sakura Medal finalist, Notable Book for a Global Society, Anne Izard Storytellers Choice Award, the South Asia Book award, Bank Street College and state book lists and starred reviews. Mama's Year with Cancer, co-authored with Shayna Vincent, is the story of Shayna's cancer journey told through her young daughter's voice. Nancy lives in North Texas. 

You'll find free teacher guides, resources, and projects on her website at nancychurnin.com Visit her on Facebook at Nancy Churnin Children's Books, on Twitter @nchurnin and Instagram @nchurnin

Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember~An Interview with Author Jacqueline Jules by Julie Phend

 

Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. One hundred eighty-four innocent people were killed. The event was part of a coordinated terrorist attack against the United States involving four hijacked flights.

In Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember, author Jacqueline Jules, who was a school librarian in Arlington, Virginia on 9/11, tells the story of that traumatic day through a tapestry of poems written from the point of view of children who were affected.

There’s Kelvin, Age 5, whose class is on the playground when they see a big scary cloud and smell smoke. Everybody leaves school early, and no one explains why.

 

Delia, Age 17, who is home from school after having her wisdom teeth pulled. Her house starts shaking, and a vase crashes to the floor. When she turns on the TV and sees the news, her head aches worse than her jaw.

 

Josselyn, Age 14, shops with her family for canned goods. The grocery store is crowded, but everyone is silent.

 

Cyrus, Age 10, waiting for his fire-fighter father to come home.

 

Karima, Age 13, whose Muslim family keeps her home from school because they worry that “some people think we’re not American enough.”

 

Leo, Age 15, was at the doctor’s office that morning. His mother came with him, which was why she wasn’t at her office at the Pentagon.

 

Ruben, Age 10, whose neighbor did go to work, but never came home.

 

Michael, Age 8, whose brother went to fight in Afghanistan and promised to come home safely. He broke that promise.

 

These poignant stories, told in sparse, impactful verse, give voice to the fears and worries of children on that fateful day. I found these poems to be moving and powerful, reminding us of the vulnerability of children, who did not understand what was happening.

 

Author Jaqueline Jules

An Interview with Jacqueline Jules

      

      Julie: Thank you for joining me on the GROG Blog to talk about Smoke at the Pentagon. I’m curious about what you, personally, experienced that day. Where were you when you learned the Pentagon had been attacked?

 

Jacqueline:   On the morning of the attack, I was in Washington, DC. People gathered around the nearest television, like they did all over the country. One woman began screaming that the Capitol Building would be next, and we were in immediate danger. I didn’t feel the same panic. I just felt numb. On my way home to Northern Virginia, I was caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Turning on the radio, an ominous voice promised details of the “Attack on America.” When I finally arrived home, I was greeted by my teenage son, surrounded by a group of friends watching television and discussing the terrible news. Later that day, my husband and I went grocery shopping and were struck by how crowded, yet silent, the store was.

 

Julie: You say these poems are composites drawn from the experiences of students and friends living in Arlington at the time of the attack. Can you explain more about that process?

 

Jacqueline:  Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember recalls a history I personally lived. Some of the poems were woven from my own memories of grocery shopping and of seeing my son and his teenage friends processing the painful news. At school, a little boy whispered in my ear that the Pentagon was broken. I will never forget how he cupped his hands over my ear with an urgent desire to share what he knew. I used this experience in the poem, “Calista, Age 16.”

 

The detail mentioned in the poem, “Delia, Age 17,” of the house shaking and a vase falling from a shelf came from a friend who lived near the Pentagon and was home the morning of the crash.

 

Where you were and what you were doing on September 11^th was a repeated topic of conversation well into 2002, as people shared their stories. Though I didn’t begin to write the book until 2019, my own memories and conversations remain vivid.

 

        Julie: When and why did you decide to write this book? 

 

Jacqueline:  In 2008, during a conversation with a group of sixth graders, I learned that my students had no knowledge that the Pentagon had been attacked on 9/11. I thought of this often as the years passed. Would future generations of students remain unaware of what happened in Arlington on 9/11? I discussed this with an author friend in June of 2019. She suggested that I write a book giving voice to the Northern Virginia experience. I began work a few days later.

Julie: What were some of your concerns and considerations in writing about this topic?

            Jacqueline:  As I discuss in the author’s introduction, I did have concerns about exposing young people to this painful day in American history. I didn’t want to arouse fear or animosity. But I also feel strongly that September 11, 2001, is not a day we should forget. Understanding the past can lead us to a better future. It can also show us that we are resilient, and when bad things happen, we can rebuild.  

 

Julie: Tell us about your publisher. How long did the publishing process take?

Jacqueline:  Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember is my first book with Bushel & Peck. I pitched the manuscript to the editor about six months before a contract came in early 2022. I was delighted to see the book ready for a fall 2023 publication. This gives Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember an opportunity to find its way to library shelves, classrooms, and reading lists well before the 25^th anniversary of September 11^th in 2026.

 

Julie: What other thoughts would you like to leave with readers of the GROG Blog?

Jacqueline:  On my website and the publisher’s website, you can find a four page Teacher’s Guide for Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember.

One of the teaching ideas suggests performing the poems as Reader’s Theater. I hope teachers will encourage students to choose a poem to read aloud and act out. By performing Smoke at the Pentagon, I hope students will feel a personal connection to what young people experienced on September 11, 2001, and understand how this event impacted the history of America.

 

Jacqueline Jules is the award-winning author of over fifty books for young readers including the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, My Name is Hamburger, Duck for Turkey Day, Feathers for Peacock, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and The Porridge-Pot Goblin. Visit her website at www.jacquelinejules.com

 

Congratulations on this timely book, Jacqueline, and thank you for sharing with the GROG blog.

https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-at-Pentagon-Poems-Remember/

 

Sue Heavenrich's Newest Concoction: The Pie That Molly Grew! Craft Chat & Book Review by Kathy Halsey

 

Sue with her newest creation!

Book Review by Kathy Halsey

If you’re ready for some cooler weather and pumpkin-anything (latte, bread, or, dare I say ... pie?), my author friend Sue Heavenrich is here to serve up her newest book, THE PIE THAT MOLLY GREW, illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg, who added all the best artistic “ingredients” to this timeless picture book.  

Sue and Chamisa mix up a delightful read that will have you wanting to grow pumpkins, helping pollinators, and, of course, making a yummy pumpkin pie that will bring the people together. 

The cumulative story structure, based on The House That Jack Built, will have readers hooked already as they easily fall into the rhythm and rhyme Sue’s created. Readers follow Molly’s pumpkin from seed to sprout to table and learn that patience, nature, and nurture are needed to create family desserts that become traditions.   

I love how illustrator Kellogg adds her own special touches, weaving the pumpkin and growth themes throughout the picture book from the typography on the cover to the eye shapes of Molly and friends that echo the shape of seeds. I enjoyed the inclusivity in the images, too. We have diverse groups of people all enjoying the fruits of growing their own food.

This is the perfect book to celebrate fall, holidays, nature, as well as the community nature of gardening. Make sure to let readers know that author Heavenrich has grown and harvested pumpkins, too, and so can they. (Thanks, Sue, for providing pictures from her own garden.)

The Pie That Molly Grew GROG Q&A

Kathy: Sue, I love the read aloud-ability this picture book has. I applaud the genius move of using the well-known rhyme scheme from The House That Jack Built. Tell us a bit about the decision to use rhyme over prose. Did you write both and then figure out the stronger of the two versions?

Sue: A line came to me: “This is the pie that Molly made.” That set the beat and I figured I would just go along with it. I tried (really tried) to write it in prose, but it came out half-baked. When the editor suggested starting with planting the seed, everything came together.

Kathy: The rhyme scheme begins on the third spread of the picture book with “These are the roots that reach down and branch out, to anchor the plant that began to sprout”.  Is that the case for The House that Jack Built, too, or did you alter where the rhyme begins?

Sue: I wanted to keep the feel of the original nursery rhyme, but I also wanted to play around within it. The original House that Jack Built repeats everything as it accumulates lines from one verse to the next. I decided not to do that because strict repetition can get … repetitious. So I shortened some lines, changed words, all the while keeping the rhythm of the story going - especially on the last two spreads, because who wants to wait so long to get to the pie?

Kathy: Today it is hard to sell a picture book as an author only. While crafting this story, did you think about including multiple hooks for increased audience interest and salability? Why pumpkin pie? (I admit that’s my favorite, too.)

Sue: I’m always thinking about how many different ways a parent or teacher can use a book. Perhaps that comes from homeschooling my kids, or maybe from creating STEM programs for summer camps and library programs. So I knew I wanted connections to garden, native plants, and pollinators. And I also wanted a deeper connection to gratitude.As for why pumpkin pie - it’s my favorite kind of pie! 

Learn to make and pie and how pollinators help!

Kathy: I know we are both nonfiction nuts who love back matter. I enjoyed  seeing four pages of back matter discussing the process of seed to fruit to table, pollinators, and how to bake a delicious pumpkin pie!  Did you add back matter later in the revision process or did your editor suggest it? How do you suggest writers advocate for back matter? Is there a standard number of pages authors should create for additional information?

Sue: I love back matter! When I was homeschooling, I always wanted to know more, and wished authors had included resources and activities. I started my writing as a journalist, and my articles for adults and children would often include sidebars. So when I began writing picture books I thought: Gee, where would I add sidebars to this? When I write the manuscript, I keep a list of things I want to include as back matter. Then, at the end of the story, I’ll put in a section titled “suggested back matter” with subtitles. For this book I knew I wanted to write about pumpkins as crop native to the Americas, and include my recipe (which my grandmother used). I also wanted to highlight the ecological services of bees and show the diversity of bees that help pollinate pumpkins and other squash.

Can you see Sue's pumpkin peeking out at us? Like Molly, she grows pie!

Kathy:What is your favorite spread in this book? (I love the spread with all the different tables that are placed end-to-end to make room for the pies!) What was your reaction to the illustrations when you first saw them? 

Kathy: Sue: I love the illustrations, and am so grateful that Chamisa Kellogg took on this book! Here’s the thing: we both love pumpkin pie, and we both grow pumpkins in the garden. Not only does Chamisa know pumpkins, but she brings such expressive joy to the page.

I have a couple of favorite spreads. One is where Molly and her brother are waiting (and waiting) for the seed to germinate … it takes such a long time that a bird builds a nest! And I really love the spread where Molly is in the garden with the bees, and she is journaling. 

Kathy: With The Pie That Molly Grew, you will now have 4 books out for young readers. How has the process of book creation stayed the same and changed over the years? 

Sue: I’m pretty sure the general process is the same: I’m minding my own business, perhaps weeding the beets or shoveling snow, when SMACK! An idea whaps me upside the head. And then I have to write it down before it flies away. And later I get curious, and start investigating this idea: is it a picture book idea? Does it need more words, and maybe a few chapters? And then I do some research on the topic, and then I fall down a rabbit hole and do more research than I’ll ever need… and then I scribble things on a page, cross them out, try again, and again… 

Kathy: How are l you celebrating this book launch and how can readers get involved? 

Sue: We are in the middle of a Blog Tour! And I am so grateful that you have offered a blog stop where we can stop, rest awhile, chat, and maybe get a cold glass of lemonade. Last week we visited Vivian Kirkfield, Maria Marshall at the Picture Book Buzz, and Carol Baldwin. On Friday I’ll be dropping in on Beth Anderson and then on Monday, the 28th I’ll hang out with Lauri Fortino at Frog on a Blog. 

My book release event will be September 9 at Tioga Arts Council in Owego, NY and co-hosted with Riverow Books. There will be reading, science and art activities, pumpkin cupcakes, and a silly song or two. I hope to visit a couple more blogs in October and November, and I know KidLit411 will be doing a giveaway mid-September. I’m so glad I saved those freebie calendars that come in the mail - I need one to keep track of what I’m doing and when!

Find Sue here on SM!

Website:  http://www.sueheavenrich.com/

Archimedes Notebook blog:   https://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SueHeavenrichWriter

Sue's pumpkin flowers, just like spreads from illustrator Chamisa Kellogg!

Little House of Hope (La Casita de Esperanza) A Sneak Preview and Interview with Author Terry Catasús Jennings~Julie Phend

 

 

 

Here’s a sneak preview of The Little House of Hope (La Casita de Esperanza) by Terry Catasús Jennings, illustrated by Raul Colón, scheduled for release by Holiday House on June 14, 2022, and interview with the author.

 

Julie’s Review:

 

This beautiful picture book for ages 4-8 tells the story of a family who immigrates from Cuba to the U.S., where they rent a modest house.

 

It was small. 

It smelled like old, wet socks.

It had rickety, tattered furniture

from a church basement…

 

But the family was together.

They were safe.

They were happy in la casita.

 

To make ends meet, the parents each work two jobs, and Esperanza and her brother Manolo work hard in school. On weekends, they fix up the house, scrubbing, painting, and making repairs. La casita becomes home, complete with the good smells of Mami’s cooking and decorated with the children’s art. Esperanza makes a collage of her name in Spanish and English. Esperanza=Hope, which is what they found in la casita.

As they learn of other families who need somewhere to live, they open their doors. By sharing their home, they help other newcomers achieve their dreams

 

Little House of Hope is a heartwarming story of hard-working immigrants who come to the U.S. full of hope and promise, and share what they have to help others. Terry Catasús Jennings’s text is spare and lyrical, while Raul Colón’s watercolor illustrations bring the family to life in vivid, expressive detail. This is a book that is at once charming and important.

Interview with Author Terry Catasús Jennings:

Terry Catasús Jennings

Julie: Welcome back to the Grog Blog, Terry! Today, we'll talk about The Little House of Hope. Like the family in the book, your family emigrated from Cuba in 1961 when you were twelve years old. How close is the book to your own experience?

 

 

Terry, center, in Cuba with extended family, 1959

Terry:  Oh goodness, so close! When my family (Mom, Dad, my brother Tony and I) came to the U.S., we could only bring fifty dollars and one small suitcase each. Can you imagine starting a new life like that with no one to help you? However, my uncle and his family had been in the U.S. for about a year, and they opened their home to us. They also took in my aunt’s brother and his wife and baby—they lived in the garage like one of the families in the book.

When our family was finally able to rent a house of our own, our furniture came from the church basement, and I decorated the walls with collages I made on colorful poster board. One house we rented did have a peculiar smell, like old wet socks. When we lived with my aunt and uncle, the good smells of my aunt’s cooking filled the house. BUT after we moved out and my mom cooked, it mostly smelled of burnt rice. Mami had never cooked before in her life! She lived with her grandmother until she got married, and then she had a maid. So I stretched things a bit there.

Terry in Cuba with her Mami and Papi and brother Tony

Julie: In your Author’s Note, you say this book was born out of anger. Tell us about that.

 Terry: A realtor I knew told me he never rents to Hispanics because they live four families to a house and trash the property. It made me angry. He knew I was Cuban and had known me for years. Then I had a lightbulb moment: I was one of those people! We lived three families to a home, and we left it better than when we moved in. That was the kernel of Little House of Hope. I wrote the book very quickly. Neal Porter expressed interest within hours of my agent’s e-mail, and we had an offer two weeks later.

 

Julie: What do you love about this book?

Raúl Colón, Illustrator

Terry: How can you not love Raúl Colón’s illustrations? They are so evocative. When Neal Porter, our editor, told me Raúl was to illustrate The Little House of Hope, I was elated. I was already captivated with his work in Good-by Havana, Hello, New York. Raúl is from Puerto Rico and his wife is Cuban, like me. Raúl got Cubans right. One of the spreads in Little House shows the father after he has a good job. That man looks just like my papi. It made me cry.

 

I also love that I got to do the translation for La Casita de Esperanza. Neal allowed me to keep my Cubanisms, words like guagua, which we use for bus, when other Latin American countries use autobus. I had a fairy godmother, Eida DelRisco, who watched over me to make sure my grammar and usage were correct. We found that some phrases were more lyrical in Spanish, so we changed the English to match. When we got a review that praised the lyricism of my Spanish, I knew we’d nailed it. I couldn’t be happier about the way the whole project turned out.

 

Julie: Many of your books are based on your life experiences. As a writer, how do you mine your past for story ideas?

 

With friends, in costumes

Terry: As writers, our experiences always inform our stories. In the Definitely Dominguita series, I was the girl who was just as happy reading as doing anything else. I didn't need friends because I had my books. When I look at pictures from when I was young, so many show me in costumes because we loved to pretend. That became the basis for Dominguita.

The story of The Little House of Hope is largely true. I use events in my life in all my stories. I have experienced discrimination—stupid things, large and small, that made me feel like a second-class citizen. Those experiences hurt. For the longest time I wouldn't tell anyone I was Cuban. My English was good, my last name was Jennings. Nobody needed to know. I kept that up until I was 46 years old!

 

Having experienced discrimination, I want my books to show that people like me are not different. When I was younger, I used to tell my friends, "You know, there were big buildings, museums, and world-renowned restaurants in Cuba, too," because many kids thought I’d lived in a hut made of sticks with a thatched roof. When people view you through a lens that distorts the truth, it’s your responsibility to bring that truth out in your books.

U.S. Citizenship Day (Terry in green)

 

From anger, I hope this book brings understanding. It is dedicated with unwavering gratitude to the country that took us in, and to all immigrants who come to the United States in search of hope.

 

Julie: Thank you, Terry, for your insights. Best wishes for success with Little House of Hope. It’s a lovely book.