Author
and
illustrator,
Angela
Dominquez,
visited
Yorkshire
Elementary
School
to
give
students
a
behind-the-scenes
look
at
what
it
takes
to
produce
a
children's
book.
Dominquez
has
published
32
books
over
the
past
12
years
and
is
a
two-time
winner
of
the
Pura
Belpré
Illustration
Honor,
given
to
a
Latina/Latino
whose
work
celebrates
the
Latino
cultural
experience.
Dominquez
introduced
herself
to
the
students
by
showing
photos
of
her
family,
friends,
and
places
she
has
traveled.
Each
step
of
the
way
she
engaged
the
children,
and
encouraged
them
to
ask
questions.
Next,
she
integrated
images
of
the
books
she
loved
to
read
as
a
young
girl,
prompting
a
number
of
raised
hands
when
she
asked
if
anyone
had
read
these
books
too.
The
author
explained
how
she
uses
these
real-life
experiences,
places,
and
books
as
inspiration
to
create
many
of
her
characters
and
stories.
The
inspiration
for
the
main
character
in
her
first
book,
"Stella
Díaz
Has
Something
to
Say,"
came
from
her
lifelong
best
friend.
However,
she
changed
her
friend's
name
to
Stella,
after
a
character
in
a
famous
movie
called
"A
Streetcar
Named
Desire."
Dominquez
expressed
to
the
children
that
it
was
part
of
the
fun
to
write
and
create
elements
based
on
her
own
experiences.
It's
a
formula
that
obviously
works.
The
middle
grade
chapter
book
was
a
New
York
and
Chicago
Public
Library
pick
for
Best
Books
for
kids
in
2018.
The
author's
sense
of
humor
can
be
found
in
every
one
of
her
books,
including
her
picture
book,
"Maria
Had
a
Little
Llama
(María
Tenía
Una
Llamita),"
a
play
off
the
popular
poem
and
song,
"Mary
Had
a
Little
Lamb".
The
author
is
keenly
aware
that
positive
messages
and
learning
are
essential
in
children's
literature.
Some
of
her
books
address
common
problems
children
face,
offering
solutions
based
on
problem-solving
techniques.
A
perfect
example
can
be
found
in
her
"Lola
Levine
Series"
of
chapter
books.
Teaching
by
example,
Dominquez
engaged
the
children,
asking
them
to
help
her
create
a
new
character.
Prompting
suggestions
from
the
students,
she
stood
before
a
flip
board,
sketching
as
children
gave
her
ideas.
This
brought
to
life
a
pudgy
bear
in
a
party
hat,
adorn
with
clothing
and
an
unconventional
background,
inspired
by
the
children's
responses.
In
essence,
she
collaborated
with
the
audience
to
create
something
new
and
different
before
their
very
eyes.
Students
wasted
little
time
when
Dominquez
opened
the
floor
to
questions.
Are
you
married?
How
long
does
it
take
you
to
write
a
book?
The
author
took
even
the
most
unusual
query
in
stride,
but
was
noticeably
impressed
with
the
student's
depth
of
knowledge.
In
closing,
Dominquez
reinforced
her
belief
that
each
student
can
be
creative,
whether
their
passion
is
to
be
a
writer,
illustrator,
dancer,
musician,
or
whatever
they
choose
to
pursue.
The
author
stood
near
the
doorway
giving
high-fives
as
students
filed
out,
most
getting
in
one
last
question,
or
expressing
their
thanks.
Then
she
received
the
ultimate
reward
as
a
student
bypassed
the
high-five
and
verbal
thank
you,
choosing
instead,
a
warm
embrace.