 When we heard about this book, we could not wait to sit with Jacqueline Alcántara to congratulate her and get more details about the project. Grab your cafecito and join us as we learn more about Tíos and Primos. Jacqueline, tell us about Tíos and Primos : A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language? It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect—by sharing the love of delicious food, for example, or by enjoying a good soccer game—and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along. A very relatable experience for so many readers! What inspired you to become a writer? I was inspired to be an illustrator first because I didn't know what I wanted to say with my own artwork, much less writing, and I really enjoyed the process of illustrating for other people. As I became more confident with my visual storytelling, as well as pressure and guidance from my amazing agent, Adriana Dominguez, I began to consider writing seriously. I tossed around story ideas and once the idea for Tíos and Primos popped into my head, I immediately knew this was going to be the one I wanted to share with the world as my author debut as it was entirely authentic to me, as well as having a universal message. It also felt like the perfect mix of fun and sentiment that I enjoy illustrating.  Are you agented? If so, can you share how you got one? Yes, I met my agent, Adriana Dominguez, with Aevitas Creative years ago at an SCBWI conference during a portfolio review. I was introduced to her through my WNBD mentor at the time, Carolyn Flores. I owe a lot of thanks to both SCBWI and WNDB organizations for giving me opportunities to get a foot in the door and connect with other creatives and professionals. What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story? I have hopes that a few different messages will land with readers, the first being the importance of staying connected with family especially if they live far away or in another country. I have so much appreciation for my parents making sure we visited Honduras (where my father is from and where the story takes place) throughout our lives and giving us the chance to develop relationships and friendships with our relatives there. It was also important for my sense of personal identity. I also hope readers are reminded of easy, natural ways we can connect with others beyond language. Language barriers can weigh on us and be frustrating, especially if we are raised with bilingual parents, but learning that there are many ways to bond with people, whether through playing, music, cooking, or just sitting next to someone can be an empowering feeling.  What comes next for you as an author? I am currently working on two books, one I am extremely excited to share but not yet allowed to! And the other, equally excited about as I’m illustrating for the incredible Margarita Engle, her biography of Cuban artist Wifredo Lam. It’s titled, Wifredo’s Jungle, and I’m deep in the research and sketching phase currently, and absolutely loving learning about his life and his influence while I am immersed in his world of painting. Can you share if you used any mentor texts for your story? If so, how did you use them? I always have mentor texts!! For Tíos and Primos the main one was My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña. In their book, the father and daughter drive around their neighborhood on a motorcycle as we get a glimpse of the many different people, shops, activities, and jobs as well as effortlessly depicting their beautiful relationship. I wanted to show many of the same things in Tios and Primos. My father and I are driving around Tegucigalpa, Honduras, visiting our many, many Tios and Primos, while driving a red pickup truck, the truck we would always borrow from my Tío Alfredo. I wanted to show the father-daughter relationship, but also it felt important to illustrate the different walks of life and settings in Honduras, as it's rarely seen in picture books: from tíos working in car repair shops, to coffee farms, to fancy tías in beautiful homes in the crowded city, to family in lovely rural farms in the mountains.   Jacqueline Alcántara is a Chicago based illustrator and educator. She spends her days drawing, writing, walking her dog while fueled by dance music, carbs and coffee. Her 8th illustrated picture book is also her author/illustrator debut titled, Tíos and Primos, and is releasing February 18th 2025, with a starred review from Kirkus. Her past illustrated books include: The Field by Baptiste Paul Freedom Soup by Tami Charles Jump at the Sun by Alicia D. Williams Your Mama by NoNieqa Ramos Ordinary Days by Angela Joy Jam, Too? by JaNay Brown Wood In addition to her work in children's publishing, she creates editorial and fashion illustrations, teaches at Columbia College Chicago and has a never ending interest in learning new skills and taking on new challenges. Her most recent new skill and challenge is motherhood! Connect with Jacqueline: Instagram @_Jacqueline_Alcantara Website: https://jacquelinealcantara.com/
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