Author Spotlight: Jackie Azúa Kramer
Jackie is an award-winning, internationally translated children’s book author. Her picture books include THE GREEN UMBRELLA, 2017 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year; IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP; THE BOY AND THE GORILLA, which received three starred reviews, a 2021 Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year, and a 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award; I WISH YOU KNEW, a 2021 Parents’ Magazine Raising the Future Book Club Pick; MILES WON'T SMILE; and DOROTHY AND HERBERT: AN ORDINARY COUPLE AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF ART, a Junior Library Guild Selection. Her upcoming picture books releasing between 2022-2023 are WE ARE ONE; MANOLO AND THE UNICORN; ZUMBA!, a sing-along book; and CARINA’S EMPANADAS. Visit her at: www.jackieazuakramer.com
Q: You have sold an impressive 13 books since you signed with our agency. Is this the way you saw your writing career developing?
A: Actually, yes! I remember my first meeting with my agent and sharing that I hoped to publish one book a year. I believed I had something to say, and hoped others agreed and could see themselves in my stories. I believed if I worked hard and sustained my creativity, good things would follow. The secret sauce is having an agent (Stephen Fraser) who listens and understands your goals for your career.
Q: Your first picture book, THE GREEN UMBRELLA (North-South), was published simultaneously in both English and German editions. What does it feel like to have your books read by children all around the world?
A: Amazing! I feel overjoyed when I’m told that my books have sold multiple foreign editions. To realize that kids thousands of miles away, from diverse cultures and languages, can see themselves or find something in common in my stories, is ultimately why I want to keep writing. It’s a way of connecting with readers that reflects we are more alike than different.
Q: Your picture book THE BOY AND THE GORILLA (Candlewick) won SCBWI’s Crystal Kite award. Were you surprised and what did that win feel like?
A: Yes, I was surprised. It was like winning the People’s Choice Award, lol! New York has a tremendous treasure trove of great children’s authors and illustrators. I’m moved that a story about loss and grief, hope and love, touched so many people. The book with Cindy Derby’s gorgeous illustrations and the fantastic team at Candlewick Press made the win possible. I thank every NY SCBWI member for their vote and love of the book.
Q: Diversity is such a big focus in children's book publishing these days. How important is it for you to write about your Latin roots?
A: In 2012, when I began writing, sadly, there was little mention of diversity or #WeNeedDiverseBooks. But as the cultural and social wave shifted in the kidlit world, so did the inspiration for my stories. I began to dig into my Latinx roots, and memories, and discovered many other layers in my storytelling. It truly has opened another world in my writing that I love researching and discussing with other Latinx creators. For example, I WISH YOU KNEW (Roaring Book Press, 2021) was inspired by my father’s immigrant journey from Ecuador to the U.S. In EMPANADAS FOR EVERYONE (S&S BFYR, 2023), the story reflects my childhood memories of living in Queens, NY and the incredible diversity of neighborhoods and food. Recently, I wrote a story called I AM SALSA (HarperCollins/Quill Tree, TBA) that explores the Afro-Caribbean roots of salsa dance through the experience of a little girl and her family. I’m so excited to share these stories with young readers!
Q: What advice can you give aspiring picture book writers?
A: The first thing I’d recommend is to join SCBWI. SCBWI is a one-stop shop of valuable information and a way to connect with a worldwide community of creators, editors, and agents. Most important is to read, read, and read some more, current and new picture books. Read with a purpose—what did the author do well in terms of narrative arc, character development, tension, a satisfying resolution. What about style, pace, language, and word count? In addition, reading new books offers you a window into what is being published. The picture book world is wide open for fresh, imaginative, and well-executed stories.
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