How to Build a Mini Writing Workshop at Home or in the Classroom A mini writing workshop is a simple yet powerful way to nurture young writers—whether you’re a teacher with a tight schedule or a parent looking to spark creativity at home. You don’t need a fancy setup. Just a few thoughtful routines canContinue reading “How to Build a Mini Writing Workshop / Cómo crear un mini taller de escritura”
Author Archives: Alicia Salazar
Happy Easter!
Only one week until Easter. If you are making cascarones this weekend, and even if you aren’t. Enjoy this coloring page. Cascarón Coloring Page
Spooky Stories / Historias Escalofríentes
There’s something magical about being just scared enough. When I was a teacher, my third graders couldn’t get enough of spooky stories. On certain days, we would turn off the lights, close the blinds, and I would read by flashlight—my voice low and dramatic. Out came El Cucuy or La Llorona, and suddenly the classroom felt different. Quieter. Charged.Continue reading “Spooky Stories / Historias Escalofríentes”
Permission to Write a Bad First Draft / Permiso para escribir un mal primer borrador
If you could see the first drafts of most books, you might be surprised. Adults are often the gatekeepers of children’s books—teachers, librarians, parents, editors—but kids are very much part of the audience too. And I want young writers to know something important: Books don’t start out perfect. The page you see here is fromContinue reading “Permission to Write a Bad First Draft / Permiso para escribir un mal primer borrador”
How to Read a Bilingual Book with Your Child (Even If You’re Not Bilingual) / Cómo leer un libro bilingüe con tu hijo (aunque no seas bilingüe)
Sometimes, when we open a bilingual book, our eyes drift to the language we don’t know and we hesitate. The words look unfamiliar. The accents hover over letters like small mysteries. And a quiet question rises: What if I don’t read this “right”? But reading a bilingual book with your child is not a test. It’sContinue reading “How to Read a Bilingual Book with Your Child (Even If You’re Not Bilingual) / Cómo leer un libro bilingüe con tu hijo (aunque no seas bilingüe)”
Cascarones: An Easter Surprise / Cascarones: una sorpresa de Pascuas
As we step into the Easter season, I find myself thinking about color. Not the quiet, muted tones of winter—but the bright, joyful colors that burst onto the scene when families gather, children laugh, and traditions come alive. In my picture book, Cascarones: An Easter Surprise, Easter is not just a date on the calendar. It’sContinue reading “Cascarones: An Easter Surprise / Cascarones: una sorpresa de Pascuas”
A Legend For Valentine’s Day / Una leyenda para el día de la amistad
The Love Story of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl: A Legend for Valentine’s Day Have you ever looked at two mountains and wondered if they had a story to tell? In Mexico, two famous volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—do! Their names are long, but their story is unforgettable, especially on Valentine’s Day, because it’s all about love, courage, and loyalty. Meet theContinue reading “A Legend For Valentine’s Day / Una leyenda para el día de la amistad”
February 2: My Crowded Birthday / Febrero 2: Mi cumpleaños abarrotado
I share my birthday with Groundhog Day, Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (also known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple), and Crêpe Day. Which means my birthday does not simply arrive. It shows up carrying a stack of traditions from several centuries and at least three continents.Continue reading “February 2: My Crowded Birthday / Febrero 2: Mi cumpleaños abarrotado”
A Light in Winter / Una luz en el invierno
A Light in Winter You might be cold today.You might be huddled inside your home, wrapped in a sweater, listening to the wind or the silence.You might be afraid—afraid of the headlines, the arguments, the loud and frightening things unfolding in the world around you. That makes sense. This is a heavy moment inContinue reading “A Light in Winter / Una luz en el invierno”