What is Reina about?
Reina is the story of a girl who's culture and traditional gender roles hold her back from dreaming and being her true self. She navigates different situations that make her question whether she will end up like the rest of the women in her family or if her story will be different. What will be her fate? Who will she choose to become?
Why did you write Reina?
Being the first-born daughter in a traditional, religious Hispanic household distorted my view of my value as a woman. I love my Mexican culture and the food, music, and language warm my soul, but there are still many sexist ideas and harmful comments that continue to be passed down instead of being shut down. Reina is a synopsis of situations that I lived or saw growing up. My hope is that this book will spark conversations about machismo and the effect it has on women. I hope that parents will be encouraged to speak loving words over their child(ren). In my family, the harmful cycle ends with me.
Who is your audience for Reina?
Reina is for everyone! Both children and adults will enjoy the easy to read rhymes and eye-catching illustrations. This book brought so much healing to me and my mission is for it to do the same for you!
Which page is your favorite in Reina?
I love all of the illustrations, but it is a tie between Pg 6-7 and Pg 26-27. I admire the detail my illustrator incorporated into these pages and the contrast between the two.
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