My debut story, Dinner on Domingos, illustrated by the lovely Claudia Navarro, is published by Barefoot Books. Dinner on Domingos weaves a sensory experience of a multigenerational family coming together at abuelita’s home for Sunday dinner. Throughout the story, it touches on themes of family and identity, since the main character doesn’t speak much Spanish but she’s trying, very hard, because she wants to connect with her abuelita.  Plus, it includes my family’s locro (potato soup) recipe in the back!

Besides children’s books, I write stories and help shape narratives for coffee producers in Latin America. For over twelve years, I’ve been working in the specialty coffee industry on communications and sustainability initiatives that increase value at origin.

I live in Southern California with my husband, son, and dogs. We love surfing, hiking, cooking, reading, and playing games (Unstable Unicorns is the current favorite). I majored in Environmental Studies (focus on Sustainable Development) and minored in Spanish from the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!). I’m half Ecuadorian along with Italian, Hungarian, and Lebanese.

FUN FACTS:

1. I love being outdoors, watching animals for way too long, and exploring nature. I’m sorry in advance if we go on a hike and I keep stopping to talk about how incredible a flower is or to watch a bug creep across a leaf.

2. I’ve worked in the specialty coffee industry for over a decade and roast coffee in my garage.

3. I’ve lived in seven states and one other country (Ecuador). California, where I currently reside, is by far my favorite.

4. I love playing sports. If you wanna play any kind of pick up game, I’m in (minus golf, that’s a hard pass).

5. I extended a work trip to go to South Africa in 2010 and watch the World Cup with college friends. It was INCREDIBLE.

6. I played the trumpet for a few years as a kid. Every time I hear a Celia Cruz song, I deeply regret not sticking with it.

7. When I was young, I dreamed about owning a dog and wrote multiple essays in school about why I deserved one. But, my parents never gave in. I now have two rescues and am living out my childhood dream. I’m sorry in advance if I remember your dog’s name and not yours. I promise to do better.

8. My son attends a Spanish immersion school because I’m still bitter my mom didn’t teach me Spanish as a child.

9. My husband proposed to me on the Salkantay Trek in Peru. He even hid flower petals and candles in his pack! It still gives me goosebumps when I think about it (and that was in 2008).

10. I surf all year round. The cold Pacific Ocean makes me feel alive and invigorates my soul. Salt water therapy is the real deal.