Since I became a children’s book author in 2018, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many other Latino authors. In addition to changing the landscape of children’s literature to be more inclusive and diverse, they’re also paving the way for more authors to pen beautiful and authentic stories that our multicultural, multiracial, and indigenous children can identify with. Two of those authors are my compatriotas, from my little island of Puerto Rico, and that makes me so happy! Nomar Perez and Frances Evans. I was honored to interview them recently for my IG Live Holiday Series.
Nomar Perez is an author and illustrator of several books. He recently authored and illustrated his first storybook, Coquí in the City. Also published in Spanish as De aquí como el coqui. The Spanish version of the book was named best children’s book of 2021 by the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library.
Coquí in the City is a picture book based on Nomar’s own experiences about a boy who moves to the U.S mainland, from Puerto Rico and he learns that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he thought.
Frances D. Evans worked in human resources for 22 years before deciding to quit to become an entrepreneur and then a children’s book author. She is also the founder of her platform Discovering the World Through Your Sons Eyes, which she started when her son was little to share her experience as a Latina mom raising a child in the United States and where she advocates for language and culture. Her son is now 13 and completely bilingual!
Frances started her Spanish online classes last year while going back to school to earn her Master’s in Spanish Education. She also took a class to learn how to write books for children and last summer worked on her first picture book story that was just released in Spanish- Coco, la cotorra puertorriqueña. In this book, Frances pays tribute to the Puerto Rican parrot and her book celebrates bilingualism and the preservation of our natural resources. It will be available in English soon!
I invite you to take time this holiday season and watch the reply of both interviews via my IGTV.
Both Coquí in the City and Coco la cotorra puertoriqueña are available in all the online bookstores. I encourage you to support their work and add their books to your children’s home library. They would make excellent gifts for Christmas, for Día de los Reyes and beyond!
To say that I am proud of Nomar and Frances is an understatement. I am grateful to know them and to have shared their books and their author’s journey with my beautiful audience.
For more about Nomar Perez follow him on Instagram @nomars_illustration
For more about Frances Evans you can follow her on Instagram @frances.d.evans
Thank you, Nomar! Thank you, Frances!
