Alma Flor Ada

 My childhood was filled with children's books written in Spanish. My dad would read books over and over again to both help me learn Spanish and also help me fall asleep at night.  Today, these memories re-entered my mind and filled me with nostalgia, so I though I would research an author known for her children's books. 

Alma Flor Ada is a Cuban-American author known for her poetry, novels, and stories made for the eyes of younger children. She was born in 1938 in Camagüey, Cuba, and grew up exposed to stories and poetry that developed her passion for writing and teaching. 

She was educated in Spain and Peru, earned a Ph.D., and completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University before becoming a professor of education at the University of San Francisco. Ada devoted her life to bringing education, pride, and empowerment to Latino/Hispanic children through ensuring that their voices and lives are reflected in the books they read. 

She has written numerous award-winning titles, including My Name Is María Isabel, Under the Royal Palms, The Gold Coin, and Gathering the Sun, which all have been translated from Spanish to English as well. Her novels often portray themes of family, identity, and social justice. She is a symbol for multicultural literature and a powerful voice for diversity in education.

I find it incredible that children's book didn't just mean simple, silly, books to her. She educated and encouraged morals through the stories she created. She had a selfless yet personal/passionate attempt behind them, which I admire. 

Sometimes, I feel that in many children's books I read as a kid, there were messages that were hidden to me until much later in life. I appreciate her efforts to make those messages clear and evident to the youth. 

In my next post, I will narrow my focus and read one of her stories in greater depth!

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