Silvia López shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Silvia, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
When I tell people I write children’s books, they don’t often realize how difficult it is. They think that because the books are short and the language simpler than some books for adults, that children’s authors can grind them out at a fast pace. In reality, the opposite is true. Children’s authors have to consider each word, each phrase, and each sentence to see if it is appropriate and appealing to its intended audience. But this has to be done in a way that doesn’t sound choppy, condescending or didactic. We are constrained by length, appropriateness, and most importantly, frame of reference. A child’s wealth of knowledge is not the same as an adult’s (or most adults, at least!) There’s a lot or research and endless revision that goes into writing a book for a young audience.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born in Cuba, an only child living in a large rambling house built by my grandfather at the turn of the 20th century. I liked to entertain myself by reading everything I could lay my hands on, and also writing stories with little illustrations on the back of the pages of my dad’s business receipt pads. My life changed when, in 1960, I came to the United States with my parents a week short of my tenth birthday without knowing a single word of English. My parents applied for political asylum and later we all became American citizens.
In the US, I discovered libraries, but didn’t really give librarianship much thought as a career. Instead, in college I studied to become an English teacher. It wasn’t until later, when I went on to do a Master in Library Science, that I realized how much I loved I loved children’s literature. I especially loved working with elementary-age children, and did so for about 35 years. Though I had already been giving writing some thought, it wasn’t until after I retired from the Miami Dade County Public Schools system that I actually had the time to pursue it, and quickly found out that it’s a very competitive field, harder than most people think.
But I persisted and guess it has paid off. In about ten years, I have been able to acquire a literary agent and publish about twenty books. Two have won gold medals at the Florida Book Awards. Others have received starred reviews in ALA’s Booklist and the School Library Journal. I currently have four more titles scheduled for release in 2026 and 2027 and am working on several projects at this moment.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I loved being a school librarian. It was the perfect profession for me, and I still believe it is one of the most satisfying of all the areas that touches a child’s life during their school days. One of the things I loved best was story time. To this day still bump into former students who don’t necessarily remember the Dewey Decimal System, but recall one of the stories I read to them in second grade.
I gave my career my all and retired happy with my life’s work. Now, I see my job as touching children’s lives in a different way.
I visit lots of schools a year, both in person and online. These visits give me the opportunity to still interact with children, except now I have the joy of sharing with them stories I have written myself. I love to see their reactions. I’m not in their libraries, but for a little while, I’m still in their lives.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When I was twenty, my dad, who had never been sick a day in his life, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. We had barely been here ten years. My parent’s English wasn’t great and they had little insurance. I became the bread-winner, problem solver, and my parent’s support. I was a junior at Barry College, now Barry University, and though working full time, fulfilled the requirements and graduated with my class.
That terrible experience taught me perseverance. Throughout my life, no matter what problems came my way, I say to myself that if I could get through my father’s illness and death, I can get through anything.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The idea that this is a nation of immigrants, not just because I am one, but because in one way or another, most Americans are.
When I was in 5th grade, my teacher made us learn the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution by heart. I didn’t understand it then, but years later I went back and dissected each sentence. They were so profound, and it made me proud to have sworn allegiance to this country. The truths that they make evident must be protected at all costs, and extended to everyone while always respecting each person’s individuality.
Many of my books are bilingual, and I cohost a series of podcasts called Bilingual Book Buddies in which bilingual authors, illustrators, and editors of children’s books relate their journeys into publishing bilingual and multicultural books for children. I also belong to an organization called We Need Diverse Books, which seeks to make sure children are exposed to multiculturalism and diversity in the books they read. I am a firm believer that learning about, appreciating, and respecting all the wonderful cultures found in our country makes children more tolerant and better people.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Stop worrying that I have 10 years left.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.silvialopezbooks.com
- Instagram: @silvialopezauthor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Silvia.Lopez.Writes
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@BilingualBookBuddies
