With Loretta LopezFrom Young Reader to Author & Illustrator
I've wanted to be a children's book author and illustrator since I was in the third grade, when I read the original Bambi by Felix Salten. I was so deeply moved that I cried for about four hours, and then spent the next three years drawing little deer.  My older siblings were always giving me books for Christmas and birthdays. I remember being particularly impressed by Where the Wild Things Are, and anything by Arnold Lobel. When I got older I fell absolutely in love with Little Women (I identified so much with Jo); I was also crazy about A Wrinkle in Time and almost anything else by Madeline L'Engle. I remember only one book from my childhood that related to Mexican American culture: And Now Miguel. I was rather awed–it was the first time I saw aspects of my own culture, food, language, and traditions reflected in a book. It was great to relate my own experiences with those of a character in a book. Writing and illustrating The Birthday Swap gave me the opportunity to share a family story and tradition. My family was ecstatic about the book. In fact, my uncle, the real Tio Daniel who hosted the actual party in the book, got all teary-eyed when he saw it. It was wonderful to share the memory at our last family reunion, in July [1997]. It was especially great because there was a big party in honor of Tio Daniel's birthday, and it was the same kind of party as in the book: the whole extended family, mariachis, etc. Sharing The Birthday Swap with them helped bring us closer together and that made me really happy. ...Learn more about The Birthday Swap ...other works illustrated by Loretta Lopez Say Hola to Spanish Say Hola to Spanish Otra Vez (Again) Say Hola to Spanish at the Circus ¡Qué sorpresa de cumpleanos! (Spanish editon The Birthday Swap) Other BookTalks |
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