Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with Jacqueline Alcántara!

By Isabel Estrada O’Hagin

It’s time to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct.15! In recent years, I have focused on the book titles of some of my favorite authors such as Donna Barba Higuera, Yuri Morales, and Elizabeth Acevedo. This year, I spoke with author-illustrator, Jacqueline Alcántara, whose work, which often features diverse characters, has already earned her plenty of kudos. 

We’d love to learn more about you and your background.

I’m from Chicago but spend a lot of time in Southwest Michigan, and I lived in Detroit for a year (2021). I was part of the SCBWI Michigan for a brief time! [I remember sending Jacqueline our Welcome to SCBWI-MI letter back then]. I studied art education at DePaul but only taught for a year before I was laid off and then started to pursue illustration while simultaneously doing a lot of random jobs - framing, art gallery, hospitality, TV (Chicago Fire, of course). I took the dive into focusing full time on illustration around 2016. I also teach illustration at Columbia College Chicago. 

I’m curious. . . when did you know you wanted to be an illustrator? Was there a turning point where you “didn’t look back?”

After I was laid off from teaching, I discovered “illustration” from a website a friend shared with me. I decided then that I wanted to give myself the time and space to find out who I was as an artist. I took a summer intensive at Parsons in New York and then took Continuing Educations classes at SAIC when I returned that fall. I took a handful of classes but really think my education in publishing and illustration came from SCBWI conferences and critique groups and a WNDB mentorship I landed in 2016. That was the year I “didn’t look back.”

 

Several of your Instagram posts are about upcoming publications and receiving recognition for past publications. For example, Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan sat on my shelf. Solimar’s stunning portrait on the front cover was one of the reasons I picked it up from the bookshelf. Only recently, did I learn you illustrated the book cover! What are some of your past and future projects our readers will want to know about?

My forthcoming book, titled Just Shine, released 9/9/25 was written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Also published this year was my author/illustrator debut titled Tíos and Primos (published simultaneously in Spanish as Tíos Y Primos). I have illustrated 9 books in total, my 10th book is the one I'm currently finishing up titled Wifredo's Jungle, a biography of Cuban artist Wifredo Lam written by Margarita Engle. My past titles that I've illustrated include The Field and its companion Climb On!, both written by Baptiste Paul; Freedom Soup, written by New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles; Jump at the Sun, written by Newbery honoree (and Detroit native!) Alicia D. Williams; Your Mama, written by NoNieqa Ramos, which was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize; Jam, Too written by Janay Brown Wood; and Ordinary Days, a biography of Prince written by Angela Joy. 

 

Quite an impressive list! Congratulations on your many honors. You’ve worked with several well-known authors. Did you get to meet any of them in person or virtually? Also, I’m wondering if your agent was instrumental in making these connections or did editors or authors request your work directly?

Yes! To answer your first question: I have met Justice Sotomayor as I was invited to her office at the Supreme Court to look through her family photo albums while doing research for Just Shine. It was incredible— I never thought a career as an illustrator would bring me to collaborating with someone so impressive and beloved. I have met most of the authors I have worked with— I love to do events with them during book launch and still have great friendships with a number of them today.

But yes, my agent, Adriana Dominguez, was very instrumental in all of these book deals. While perhaps it was the editor who shared my work with the authors directly, it was my agent who is always out there advocating for us, sharing our work and fostering relationships with editors to keep us top of mind when the perfect manuscript falls onto their desk.

Amazing! Meeting Justice Sotomayor in her office at the Supreme Court! And how fortunate to collaborate with Super-Agent Adriana Dominguez who believes in you and your work.

Describe your typical workday in the studio.

Well, I now have an 8-month-old baby so my workdays are very different than they used to be! Long gone are the mornings where I sit with coffee, jot down my daily goals, do a little sketch, write down some thoughts, and take my dogs for a relaxed stroll before having a long day in my home studio playing around with materials, ideas and then maybe heading out for some research at a museum, gallery, bookstore, or bar. 

My workday now consists of jotting down ideas in my phone whenever a spare moment allows and squeezing an 8-hour workday into maybe 3 or 4 hours! But wow I feel like I'm getting more efficient with my time and perhaps actually appreciating how my art style is changing with limited time. I've long wanted to have more of an intuitive approach to making my final art and with less time to mull over details, I think I'm naturally achieving that! Ha! 

I’m glad to hear you’re making it work and that your stylistic approach reflects these changes in your lives.

Who are some of the major influencers on your work, and who are some of your favorite illustrators?

Illustrators I love: Patricia Polacco— her people are illustrated with such personality and movement. I've loved her books since I was a kid. Chris Rashcka - same as above. I've long been obsessed with his style, people, and characters. Not to mention his style of writing is what I hope to achieve— he has a contagious rhythm in everything he creates. Olivier Tallec— his artwork made me fall in love with using gouache. Picasso/Matisse—I know what a cliché to list them as favorite artists but I did a study abroad in Barcelona and spent a lot of time looking at Picasso sketchbooks and just love his way of drawing. I think too a lot about his famous quote: " It took me four years to paint like Raphael but a lifetime to draw like a child.” So many other artists and illustrators I'd like to keep mentioning. For each book I do, I love the research the most, and in the process I’m always discovering other artists that become inspirational for that and future projects. 

In addition to SCBWI, you’re a member of Las Musas, a collective of Latinx women and otherwise marginalized people whose gender identity aligns with femininity, writing and/or illustrating in traditional children's literature. What does being a member mean to you?

I'm thrilled to be a part of Las Musas. While as an illustrator I have a nice number of books under my belt, I'm a debut author this year and so I finally applied to be a part of the group. It's wonderful to know you have a network of fellow creators to ask questions, get advice, read each other’s books to get ratings/reviews, etc. I'm looking forward to meeting many Musas at the upcoming Latinx Storytellers conference in NYC.

[Note: The Latinx Storytellers conference met Sept. 12-13 at the NYC Scholastics Headquarters.]

The Las Musas collective spotlights the new contributions of Las Musas in the canon of children's literature and celebrates the diversity of voice, experience, and power in our communities. I, too, am a member of Las Musas and identify as Mexican-American. Would you care to share your ethnic identity?

I’m Latinx (Honduran/ American) I'm 100% born and raised in the USA. I’m first generation on my father’s side - he is from Honduras where all of my Tíos and Primos still live. My mother is from Chicago (Irish/German). 

Under the current administration, there’s an ongoing effort to dismiss or downplay people’s heritage, ethnicity, and related celebrations of culture and cultural traditions, including art and literature (re: book bans). Some would call it an erasure. National Hispanic Heritage Month— should we keep it going? 

Of course! While I hope that one day the Latinx representation in books (meaning Latinx creators and Latinx main characters) is greater, it still feels important to highlight the month dedicated to highlighting these stories. Of course, I wish these stories weren’t only pulled out during this month, but I think the time with attention to them is still valuable and helps to put new titles on everyone's radar. 

I'm still overjoyed when I see someone who looks like me on the cover of a book— I'm more likely to pick it up, to buy it, and read it. I'm still going to be able to connect with characters of any background when reading— that's the beauty of books of course—but seeing someone who looks like me illustrated still makes my stomach jump and gives me a shock of excitement.

[Me, too, Jacqueline!]

The stories with specific cultural or language elements are of course important and we're still making up for lost time in having books and stories that represent the huge Latine population. I think we ( myself included!!) need to keep assessing our home libraries, school/local libraries, museums, curriculums, etc., to make sure we are seeing ourselves illustrated in the pages of books and painted on the walls of our world.

What do you see on the horizon? Any new directions for kidlit in relation to diversity on the page? Any predictions?

In regard to diversity, I think we are finally moving away from thinking about all Latino people as a monolith, and so we are finally seeing stories with more nuance in cultural representation. 

For example, in my book Tíos and Primos, I wanted to SHOW Honduras in the illustrations but I didn't think it was necessary to be mentioned in the story itself. As the illustrator I got very specific— down to the mountains of coffee, the Ceiba trees, the skinny dogs, and the architecture, etc. But I was also wanting to share an experience that is very universal— a kid trying to bond with their family who lives far away and they are meeting for the first time. 

As an illustrator, I love working on books where the story is just a great story, but I'm able to illustrate it with diverse characters.  It's equally important to be creating books where black and brown kids are the main characters but their skin tone or heritage isn't the main theme of the book. I believe this helps to show parents just as much as it shows children— that all are equally as innocent, adventurous, silly, curious, kind, mischievous, creative, and full of potential.

I hope to receive more books that give me this opportunity as an illustrator. 

Your perspectives differ from those who are leading book-banning efforts across the country. Any thoughts?

Books that are being “Banned” and contested are disproportionately books by or featuring diverse characters— BIPOC and LGBTQ. So, we have to keep showing our support for them by supporting libraries and librarians. Checking out their books, sharing them on social media, gifting them, and buying them if possible. 

Books are some of the safest places we can think about, reflect, and digest life experiences before we may be faced with them head on. We need to protect children's freedom to read. 

While shying away from creating and advocating for diverse books isn't the right thing to do in the long term, perhaps a lesson for us all in the short term would be to start identifying ourselves simply as authors and illustrators, versus “Latinx/e/a Author/Illustrator.” Identifying ourselves alongside our heritage— in relation to our creative output—  can perhaps leave us out of conversations, bookshelves, lessons, story times, etc. where our work belongs. 

 

 I’m in agreement! Thank you, Jacqueline, for sharing your insights with us. I encourage our members to click on your portfolio and check out your Instagram posts that feature your fabulous illustrations.

May our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month extend through the rest of the year! 

Isabel Estrada O'Hagin grew up in the desert borderlands of Arizona, dancing and singing her way through life. Always a dreamer, she blends her life experiences as a performing arts educator with her love of Mexican-American culture & folklore into stories. When she’s not writing, she loves to dance, cook, read, daydream, and play with her two gatitos, Dante and Cosmo. She also loves her volunteer work for SCBWI-Michigan as Outreach Coordinator and K.A.S.T. Co-Coordinator. LA MARIACHI is her debut storybook.

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Reminders about Upcoming SCBWI-MI Events

• SCBWI-MI's BIPOC Scholarship- Sept.1st-Oct. 1st
• SCBWI-MI 2025 Critique Carousel- Registration: Sept.18th-30th
• 
  Little Free Library Day hosted by SCBWI-MI's E&I Team- September 27th
• Fall webinar with Sheela Chari- Oct. 22nd at 7:00 pm Registration period: Oct 1-22
• Fall webinar with Cate Berry- Nov. 12th at 7:00 pm Registration period: Oct 22-Nov 12
  
  
  

Writer Spotlight: Isabel Estrada O'Hagin

 

Doctor Isabel, Ugly Monkeys, opera, literary agents, critique groups and KAST: author Isabel Estrada O'Hagin

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet musically-inclined author Isabel Estrada O'Hagin. And check out her interview from 2022 HERE.

First of all, you’re Dr. O’Hagin. You’ve got a doctorate in Music Education. You’ve always been moved by music, but earning a demanding title like that took years of dedication. How did you do it? And what does that doctorate allow you to do?

First of all, I can tell you when not to do it:  Having a baby while completing your pilot study and wrapping up your dissertation between changing diapers. But seriously, I always loved teaching people of all ages, and I wanted to dig deeper into the psychology of teaching and learning. 

Isabel at her workspace

For example, I wanted to know how musical experiences affect early childhood (i.e., how these experiences help children form bonds and develop the brain). My studies and research led to new understandings.

How did I do it? With lots of help! Not being rich, I had to keep my job as a dance teacher at a gifted and talented middle school while pursuing three years of course work. My school district was supportive by allowing me to arrange my schedule for my capstone semester. 

I learned to juggle whatever life handed me and I learned that it’s okay to break rules and conventions. Ask for what you need! People surprise you! With the arrival of our new baby, my husband and both sets of grandparents helped as well. 

The doctorate allowed me to teach at the university level.

 

You grew up in a Tucson barrio, where the books you read never reflected characters like you, Mexican-Americans who spoke Spanish and English, their culture and their aspirations. Your recently-published picture book celebrates La Mariachi, a girl who breaks the gender barrier to become part of a Mariachi band. How has your life experience mirrored that of Tuchi, your young protagonist?

As a kid, mariachi music was a big part of my world. On the radio, at church, at birthday parties, serenades on Dia de las madres, and at every fiesta. Who doesn’t love mariachi? 

La Mariachi tells the story of Tuchi who wants to become a mariachi con todo su corazón. Tuchi possesses grit and with the help of her abuela overcomes obstacles to make her dream come true.

Growing up, I admired Tucson’s mariachi for kids, Los Changuitos Feos (the Ugly Monkeys), who performed everywhere. But it was all boys. I remember thinking – not saying it aloud – that it wasn’t fair. This type of gender discrimination was true throughout the U.S. until pioneers in Texas and California broke through barriers and led the way. 

One of the books in my research pile includes personal accounts of girls in their teens who faced discrimination when they broke into all male groups. But they persevered, no? Eventually, our Tucson ensemble welcomed girls. We’re talking about playing instruments, not singing. Female singers were common.

By the late 70s and early 80s mariachi ensembles became part of the public school system in many states, and girls showed up! The interest was always there and now we have not only integrated ensembles, but many all-girl, all-women mariachi ensembles throughout the country.

Another aspect of La Mariachi is the theme of strong intergenerational bonds—a common thread in Mexican-American families. While I loved mariachi music, my dream was to be an opera singer. That was certainly atypical for a poor kid in the barrio, but my parents supported my journey every step of the way.

 

Isabel's opera glamour  headshot

Your early aspiration was to become an opera singer. Who were your role models and opera star heroes? How close did you come to performing in a production?

It’s not a surprise that I turned to storytelling as I retired from teaching, because operas are stories told through music, through songs—very dramatic songs. And songs are words melded to music. I grew up listening to opera (but I didn’t “go to the opera” until a school field trip in high school.). 

My dad loved opera and would always play some of his favorite singers on LPs. I loved Leotyne Price, Marilyn Horne, and Maria Callas. Powerful, strong voices! I was a music nerd as a kid—I would listen to the NPR Met Opera broadcasts on Saturdays. 

As a soprano, my role model was Bubbles—Beverly Sills. She would pop up on TV shows for interviews now and then, and I always loved her personality. I began to perform on stage during my college years as part of the Opera Theatre. 

My first role? I was one of the Three Ladies in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Later, when I taught music in the schools, I kept up my interest in opera by performing with the Arizona Opera chorus—a paid gig!

Music appreciation inundated your high school years. So much so that you took summer school in order to free up your school schedule for choir, dance and drama. You must have been one of the few serious students in your summer classroom. How did you cope with the struggling and non-interested other off-season students?

I don’t remember much, except that high school summer classrooms were hot and boring! I had to jump on two buses to get there and back. But downtown Tucson was always interesting—so maybe not so bad.  I stayed focused because first—my parents paid for the classes, and second—I had to not only pass the courses but get a good grade to keep up my GPA for National Honor Society acceptance. Yep—had my goals in sight. 

Recently, I spoke with a college student about how virtual courses at the high school level allow opportunities for students with specific goals in mind the freedom to set their own schedules. Now that would’ve come in handy!

 

You’ve got a special connection with author Meg Medina. What is your relationship with her?

Ooh, I wish I knew Meg in person! I know her only through her books and her social media accounts. Her updates as the Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature have been marvelous. Her appointment is ending, but I look forward to reading new books from her. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of her latest picture book, No More Señora Mimi. 

Earlier this fall, the graphic novel version of Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass was released. Yaqui Delgado was the first book of hers I read. My son was reading it for a high school English class, and after he was done, I picked it up. What a sassy character! Okay—just stopped writing to order it online!

The Merci Suarez Series

Meg Medina has the ability to give all her characters an authentic voice enveloped by her beautiful lyrical writing style. I also marvel at how she captures the vibrancy of the Latino experience on the page. She’s Cuban-American, but there are many similarities with Mexican-American culture. I’ve read her YA novels, the Merci Suarez series, and all her picture books—all of which draw you in immediately.

 

You won a contest with your manuscript of La Mariachi, so you were able to publish your picture book without the need of an agent. Is that a one-and-done, or can you skip that odious step of finding an agent?

Credit: Merze Tate Explorers

Ah, Charlie! I didn’t win the Sleeping Bear Press Own Voices, Own Stories contest that first year they sponsored it. Fortunately, the editor contacted me soon after and said they wanted to publish my story as part of their Own Voices collection. Naturally, I agreed! It’s been great working with Sleeping Bear Press—as a debut author I appreciate all the assistance they’ve offered. 

Michigan is fortunate to have such a supportive company in our midst. The promotion assistance I received from Sleeping Bear Press brought attention to my debut picture book that was recognized by the ALA Rise Feminist Booklist for 2024 and received a silver medal in the Most Inspirational Picture Book category from the International Latino Book Award committee.

I’m looking for an agent, but I don’t think of it as an odious step. I’m a believer in being in the right place and the right time—serendipity will strike in one way or another—often when you least expect it. So-- I’m sending out my wish across the universe!

 

You’ve mentioned your two critique groups. How did you find your fellow writers, and how have they helped you hone your work?

The two groups I’m a part of emerged through SCBWI events and contacts such as conferences (critique group sessions) and Shop Talks.

I love belonging to two critique groups (one is on hiatus)! One group met 11 years ago at a SCBWI-MI state conference, and we’ve been together since then! Critique partners are invaluable in many ways. You place your manuscript baby in tender, receiving hands and your partners help nurture its growth and development. 

It takes trust. It’s like a commune of writers who guide and support and are protective of each other. And yes, sometimes you practice tough love to get to another level. If you find a supportive writing group, never let them go!

 

You’ve used writing coaches like Kelly Bennett and Teresa Crumpton.  How do you decide to work with a writing mentor?

Carrie Pearson, Isabel, and Melanie Bryce

I’ve also worked with Leslie Helakoski, Jay Whistler, Beth McBride, Deborah Halversen, and a few other SCBWI greats. In the case of all these writing coaches and editors, I attended their workshops and thought they had valuable insights on the writing process. Conversations followed to make sure we were on the same page. 

I also like to “make-pretend” I have a writing mentor by studying the books of a favorite author and following their social media or tuning in to virtual workshops/podcasts to see them on the screen and hear their actual voices. Yes, I’d love to have a cafecito with Meg Medina!

 

What have you learned with the publication of your first book? What advice do you have for those who come after you?

Find your voice—only you can tell your story! Take Courage. Dream big. Play. Create. Keep reading and writing. Keep at it. Be patient with yourself and others. Believe. Be thankful! And above all--keep your young reader in mind!

 

You’ve got at least three middle grade novel manuscripts in various stages of readiness. How difficult was it to refine your ideas to a picture book length? How many drafts did it take to get La Mariachi to its finished form?

In my mind,

La Mariachi, is a storybook—a category of the picture book genre that is generally wordier than most picture books and you write knowing the story will be read to the child by an adult. I didn’t set out to write a longer story. 

Storybooks typically have more developed plot lines that need to unfold naturally. Similar to writing a novel, I used a three-act structure to write La Mariachi. 

As to refining ideas to a picture book length? I worked on whittling down my main character’s desires to one desire, one story problem. Leslie, the Amazing Picture Book Guru, was a tremendous help in this regard. 

Drafts? I’ll take a wild guess as I never keep track, but I do save all the versions on my hard drive. Maybe 50? It took two years to land on the final manuscript I submitted to Sleeping Bear Press, but it was an on-off process with two critique groups and editorial consultants sharing their thoughts along the way. In the meantime, I continued to work on many other WIPs.

 

In your You Tube interview, you accepted the challenge to pick a random spread of the book and spontaneously compose a tune and sing the words. The magical result stunned the interviewer, and any listener. Do you lend your lovely voice to a local choir?

What a nice compliment, Charlie! I’m not in a choir currently, but I sang in choirs for ages. My dream is to sing with a mariachi ensemble some day!

You’ve co-hosted the Kalamazoo Area Shop Talk with Melanie Bryce since 2015, and the programming just keeps getting stronger. What is the secret to KAST success, other than your members are stars?

We are all stars shining brightly in the cosmos! Choose your constellation! Melanie stepped down this year due to work considerations, and we were fortunate to have Karen Finch step in. What contributes to our success? 

Some of the cast of KAST

First, we welcome everyone and try to meet on different days and times to accommodate individual schedules. This year we lost our meeting site and that’s pushed us into being creative in finding new venues—libraries, bookstores, an artist’s studio, and who knows where next. We’d like to host a plein air session. Maybe this summer? Change brings new perspectives and possibilities. 

Like many Shop Talk groups, we begin our sessions with introductions and personal highlights—anything a member would like to share with the group. Applause and cheers follow. 

This could be one reason why our members attend our Shop Talks—it gives them a chance to toot their own horn or maybe what they need is affirmation and support from the group as they tackle a problem or experience writer’s block. . . We are here for each other. 

The networking that happens at Shop Talks always amazes me, especially when seasoned members take the time to chat with the newbies! Second, we do have an abundance of talent in our SCBWI-Michigan circles who are willing to share their time and expertise with the rest of us. Thank you to all who have presented at our Shop Talks in person or virtually!

Thank you, Charlie!

 

Please share any social media links:

Email: isabelestrada.author@gmail.com

Instagram:isabelestradaauthor

Facebook:Isabel Estrada author

Website: isabelestradabooks.com

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Quality Children’s Literature

by Isabel Estrada O'Hagin

March is Women’s History Month! Interested in delving into books for this month and beyond? ALA’s got you covered!

In early February, I received fabulous news in a letter of congratulations from the co-chair of the ALA 2024 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Committee. The committee shared that they selected my debut picture book, LA MARIACHI, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda, to be honored this year on the 2024 Booklist. Thrilled with this news, I didn’t know much about the Rise project and wanted to know more. I went to their website and saw our book listed in the Early Readers: Fiction category.

Receiving this honor as a debut picture book author and seeing it on their website was exciting! I had many people to thank, including SCBWI, my critique group partners, editorial consultants, and the great team at Sleeping Bear Press.

Included in the site’s Introduction page is a quote from our book

“Remember, always play con todo tu corazón.” (Estrada, La Mariachi)

In a barrier-breaking story set in the 1970s, Tuchi is passionate about mariachi, but she’s told that it’s only for boys. With the help of her grandmother, she’s determined to prove that mariachi is for everyone. 

So, what did I find? According to their website, Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 has been promoting quality feminist literature for young readers since 2002. Rise is part of the American Library Association’s Feminist Task Force and the Social Responsibilities Round Table. Each year Rise recommends recent books with significant feminist content for readers from birth to 18 years old.

I also discovered a bevy of book titles that will go on my TBR list. Looking for a book? I encourage you to take a look at this list!

The website answered my question about how books are selected for this honor. Rise: A Feminist Book Project selects well-written and well-illustrated books with significant feminist content for young readers each year. Books may be recommended by anyone through the field recommendation process, but books can only be officially nominated for the list by regular Rise committee members.

Feminist books for young readers must move beyond merely “spunky” and “feisty” young women, beyond characters and people who fight to protect themselves without concern for the rights of others. Feminist protagonists call out and work to eliminate sexism and other systemic prejudices, actively shaping their destinies. They break bonds forced by society as they defy stereotypical expectations and show resilience in the face of societal strictures. . . . feminist books show women solving problems, gaining personal power, and empowering others. They celebrate girls and women as a vibrant, vital force in the world.

March is Women’s History month is a great time to introduce children to historical stories, biographies, and fiction that highlight incredible women through the years. If you’re looking for book titles, the Rise website includes this year’s bibliography and archives of past years. The complete list can be found on the official RISE blog and FTF’s official website. The categories are: Early Readers: Fiction/Nonfiction; Middle Grade: Fiction/Nonfiction; and Young Adult: Fiction/Nonfiction.

Here are the Top Ten titles for 2024 (featured in a School Library Journal article):

• FLOWER GIRL by Amy Bloom, illustrated by Jameela Wahlgren
• SPIN by Rebecca Caprara
• THE BLACKWOODS by Brandy Colbert
• BIG by Vashti Harrison
• I KICK AND I FLY by Ruchira Gupta
• AUTUMN PELTIER, WATER WARRIOR by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George
• MY POWERFUL HAIR by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Steph Littlebird
• BARELY FLOATING by Lilliam Rivera
• THE MOONLIT VINE by Elizabeth Santiago
• ALL THE FIGHTING PARTS by Hannah V. Sawyerr

Happy Reading in March and anytime of the year!

Isabel O’Hagin, who writes as Isabel Estrada, is the author of the picture book, LA MARIACHI, published by Sleeping Bear Press, and serves as the SCBWI-Michigan Outreach Coordinator and the Kalamazoo Area Shop Talk Coordinator (Where everyone is a star!). She is also a member of Las Musas, a collective of Latinx women and otherwise marginalized people whose gender identity aligns with femininity, writing and/or illustrating in traditional children's literature.

 

 

For National Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month: An Introduction to Las Musas! by Isabel Estrada O'Hagin

 

In late August I received the thrilling news that I was accepted into Las Musas. Why was I so excited? I’d been fortunate to have met many wonderful people in SCBWI Michigan these past years, but I didn’t cross paths with many other Latinx KidLit creators (although many members of Las Musas are also members of SCBWI). As a writer, I needed that connection and now I’m meeting many Latinx writers, several who are debut authors as well.

What is Las Musas? (The Muses) Las Musas is the “first collective of Latinx women and otherwise marginalized people whose gender identity aligns with femininity, writing and/or illustrating in traditional children's literature who have to come together in an effort to support and amplify each other’s debut or sophomore novels in US children’s literature.”

As posted on our website: Our mission is “to spotlight the contribution of Las Musas in the evolving canon of children's literature and celebrate the diversity of voice, experience, and power in our communities.”

Las Musas debuted in 2018 with 12 women and now boasts 100+ members. Our Latinx community includes a vast and diverse group of people with cultural ties to Latin America. “We are not one voice, but many.”

In addition to this dynamic advocacy and the support offered to debut authors, I find the idea of being a part of a collective attractive. Too many organizations seem to be top-down hierarchal power structures where decisions are made at the top. The possibility of having my efforts make a difference beyond being a volunteer is energizing. Each Las Musas member is asked to serve on one or two teams to remain active. We--and only us--are the ones who make the various benefits of membership and programs offered thrive. We are challenged with this ideal that WE ARE the organization, and it will only be as strong as our individual efforts toward keeping the collective strong.

 

In Las Musas, decisions are made by the group: As a collective, Las Musas works with a close-to-consensus ideal as we can get. If a new venture or sponsorship is proposed it must be voted on. Similarly, anything that proposes a change to standards, voting, or membership acceptance must also be brought to a vote.

 

The benefits of being a part of Las Musas are many. There’s the Las Musas website with 1000+ visitors a week. Active debuts/sophomores have their own author page featuring their book and bio. They are active on social media, sponsor a newsletter, have a professional Canva account open to all members, organize panels/workshops/virtual events, help with school visits, host a podcast and book club, and collaborate with the Latinx KidLit Book Festival, a virtual celebration of Latinx KidLit books, authors, and illustrators.

 

This year’s LKBF’s free workshops and presentations are truly amazing (You can also access previous LKBF’s presentations on YouTube.). Find information about this year’s Festival Schedule at: https://www.latinxkidlitbookfestival.com/

 

You can join LIVE from your classroom, library or home for FESTIVAL FRIDAYS starting September 22nd through October 13th! Meet your favorite Latinx creators of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, poetry, comic books and graphic novels! 

 

Enjoy four Fridays (September 22, September 29, October 6, and October 13) of creative language arts and visual arts content for students of all ages. In addition, there are Educators’ Nights and Writers’ Nights that begin Sept. 20.

 

Special note: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor opens the LKBF with a discussion of her NYT bestselling children’s books! She joins Rafael Lopez and Angela Dominguez on panel to discuss their series: How to Build a Better World, September 22, 11 a.m. ET

 

You, too, SCBWI-M­­I, can help support the work of Latinx KidLit creators by purchasing our books, asking your local library to order our books, and by checking them out! You can support us through social media as well. We have room for all of our stories, and strong alliances will help lift every single voice in solidarity to better provide a broader understanding of Latinx diversity to young readers.

 

*Las Musas Books website: www.lasmusasbooks.com

Instagram: #lasmusasbooks

               Facebook: Las Musas Books

 

Latinx KidLit Book Festival

Instagram: @latinxkidlitbf  #lkbf23

Facebook: Latinx KidLit Book Festival

Isabel Estrada O'Hagin grew up in the desert borderlands of Arizona, dancing and singing her way through life. Always a dreamer, she blends her life experiences as a performing arts educator with her love of Mexican-American culture & folklore into stories. When she’s not writing, she loves to dance, cook, read, daydream, and play with her two gatitos, Dante and Cosmo. She also loves her volunteer work for SCBWI-Michigan as Outreach Coordinator and K.A.S.T. Co-Coordinator (A shout-out to my KAST friends—Where everyone’s a star!)  LA MARIACHI is her debut storybook!