I am delighted to feature my writing friend, Ana Siqueira, on the blog today. Ana's debut picture book, Bella's Recipe for Success (illustrated by Geraldine Rodriquez, Beaming Books 2021), is a wonderful intergenerational story about letting go of mistakes and instead finding and practicing what you are great at. I love how Ana's memories of her childhood and family moments inspire her work. Read on for Ana thoughts about stories . . . creativity . . . and connection. Welcome, Ana!
STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects.
Most of my stories are somehow based on my memories. Some are memories of my childhood or my kids’ childhood. But all the books I sold can go back to my kids - BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS - my daughter and her obsession of being perfect and the best, IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA, my daughter again, when she was three years old (now she’s thirty) and she got upset at me and said I was not her mom, I was a witch. And she yelled that while we walked from the beach to our house. I had to write a story based on that, right? ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA - the relationship between my mom and my youngest son and I got extra inspired after my mom died. And the book that can’t be announced is about my oldest son and his negative attitude, at first, to his stepdad.
CREATIVITY -- How do you showcase your creative side through writing/illustrating and other pursuits?
I am super creative. Since I had a twin brother who died, I traveled in my fantasy world to deal with it. So, besides writing and telling funny stories to my grandkids, I teach. And my lessons are filled with games, stories, and activities. Teaching Spanish allows me to be super creative.
CONNECTION -- How do you connect to your young readers through your writing/illustrating, and how do you stay connected to the KidLit community?
My debut book just got published, but I hope Bella will be able to show a lot of kids that making mistakes is okay and important. By having young ones reading my book, I feel we do connect. Also, I plan on doing a few virtual and personal visits to talk to kids, teachers, and librarians. I love the KidLit community, so I am always involved in panels, conferences, groups, and social media. Through social media, I have been able to support and get support from this wonderful community. I am also part of three debut groups - DIverse Dreamers, Story Jammers, and 21forthebooks.
ANA'S BIO:
Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language elementary teacher, an award-winning Brazilian children’s author, and a published author in the Foreign Language educational market - EL PATO QUIERE UVAS. Her forthcoming picture books include BELLA’S RECIPE FOR DISASTER/SUCCESS (Beaming Books, 2021), IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA/ CUANDO TU NIÑERA ES UNA BRUJA (SimonKids, 2022), ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA/LA SUPER CAPA DE ABUELA (HarperCollins, 2023) - two-book deal auction. The second book can’t be announced yet. Ana is a member of SCBWI, Las Musas Book, and co-founder of LatinxPitch.
Ana was chosen as Local PBS Media Innovator 2016 and she got trained as a Global Educator in 2018 through IREX and the US State Department where she went to visit and teach in India.
Besides writing, Ana loves to read, teach, and play with her Cuban-Brazilian-American grandchildren.
CONNECT WITH ANA:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/asiqueira1307/?hl=en
Order BELLA’S SECRET FOR SUCCESS - signed copies here