Las Musas Book Birthday: A House In My Barrio

Bienvenida to Las Musas blog, Paola Santos. We are eager to hear about your new project, A House In My Barrio. 

Let's talk about this sweet book. What is A House In My Barrio about?
Mamá Elena always knows just what to do when someone needs help. Whether it’s by cooking a delicious meal or simply by lending an ear, she keeps her community together. And because of her warmth, her home is young Manuel’s favorite. But when Mamá Elena suffers a fall that leaves her bedridden, the barrio changes overnight. Missing Mamá Elena and her house, Manuel is determined to help lift her spirits. In a selfless act of organizing, he gathers his neighborhood so they can give back all the love and support Mamá Elena has shown them.

What 3 words would you use to describe your book?
Imagination, Space, Familia

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story? 
When I was 10 or 11 years old, there was a house near my school that I loved to visit. Before going home, I would open the gate to this tiny house, knowing that inside I would always be welcomed with warmth and open arms. It was in a lively barrio, surrounded by friends, teachers, and the whole school community. But many other barrios shaped me as well, countless neighborhoods where I witnessed people coming together to support one another.

This was just one of the seeds that gave life to A House in My Barrio. The others came from my grandma and from the volunteer work I did with older adults, both in Venezuela and here in Canada. Those experiences showed me how vulnerable people can become as they age and how deeply they long for companionship, care, and love.

This story is a tribute to those who are the heart of their barrio (neighborhood) and home, those who spent their lives caring for their communities and loved ones through simple acts of kindness but who, because of illness or old age, can no longer care for themselves. Can we give back the same love they once gave us?

What was the most difficult scene to write in this story? 
It was more than one scene; it was the whole structure of this book! I wanted to present the problem right at the beginning of the story, but I struggled to convey how important Mamá Elena was before the inciting incident. Finally, during the editing process, we moved the problem closer to the center of the story, and voilà! Everything flowed more naturally, and Mamá Elena’s absence felt more urgent.

What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
Despite what they may see in the world today, I hope children remember that we are capable of beautiful gestures and even heroic acts, no matter how small they may seem. When readers close the book, I hope they feel uplifted and inspired, knowing inspired, that building community and sharing love are choices that are in our own hands.

What comes next for you as an author?
On June 1 of next year, my third picture book will be out in the world! Vida Dreams, illustrated by the incredibly talented and fellow Venezuelan Marianne Ferrer and published by Kids Can Press, is a story about the reasons behind immigration and the resilience that accompanies those decisions. It is a powerful story that I hope will touch the hearts of every reader.

GET YOUR COPY OF: A HOUSE IN MY BARRIO

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Get to know Paola! 

Paola Santos is a children's book author born and raised in Venezuela. After moving to Canada, she found the courage to share the words and stories that had long been enclosed in her imagination. Her stories are now woven with her culture, experience in a new country, hope, happiness, and diversity. Paola holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in Literature and Children's Literature and Reading Promotion. She is the author of How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se come un mango (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House), 2024.

Find her on Instagram @pgsantosb and Facebook @Paola Santos