BookPeople Presents: Debbie Zapata - Abuela's Letter

Please welcome Debbie Zapata and Jennifer Hill-Flores to celebrate Abuela's Letter!

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This event is free and open to the public.

• Start time: 2:00 P.M.
• Run time: 45-60 minutes, followed by a signing line.
• Location: The second floor of BookPeople.

The author will be signing and personalizing copies of the book after the speaking portion of the event.

• To get a book signed, a copy of the event book or an item of equal value must be purchased from BookPeople.

Guidelines:

• Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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• There will not be a live stream or recording available.

About the book:

Alma’s favorite days are when her big family gathers at Abuela’s house. Tíos take siestas while tías tell their stories, and prímos play dominoes while Abuela stirs the frijoles.

Always at the center is the love of Abuela. Alma’s beloved grandmother is her number one fan!

When Abuela dies, all of this is suddenly gone. Alma is filled with sadness and grief until she finds a letter that Abuela left for her. Could Abuela’s words be the thing that fills her heart again with love and sweet memories?

This thoughtful story captures the concept of "familismo" beautifully -- a Latin cultural value that involves dedication, commitment, and loyalty to family. Regularly spending time with one's immediate and extended family is part of familismo, as well as seeking the family's advice and support for important decisions and life transitions, such as grief and loss. Includes a note to readers in English and Spanish with coping strategies essential to Latino and Hispanic families about grief and loss of a loved one, as well as additional ways to support children and honor the life and memory of beloved family members.

About the author:

Debbie Zapata, LCSW, is the author of Abuela’s Letter (Magination Press, Oct. 15, 2024). Her debut picture book, Up and Adam (Kids Can Press, 2022), was a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Brigid Erin Flynn Award for Best Picture Book 2022. Growing up in Austin, Debbie cherished the places that brought people together—public parks, community rec centers, and local libraries. She loved writing letters to her international pen pals and extended family. Today, she is passionate about writing books for children that have heart and humor. Her favorite stories are about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Through her work, Debbie aspires to bring smiles to children’s faces, inspire kindness, and help create an inclusive world where all readers can see themselves in the stories they read. Her stories celebrate diversity and honor her Mexican culture. Debbie has been awarded the Austin SCBWI Scholarship for Diverse Worlds multiple times and was a finalist for the We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) Mentorship Contest. Alongside her writing, Debbie enjoys helping others as a counselor and spending time with her family. (Visit debbiezapata.com to learn more.)
About the moderator:

Jennifer Hill-Flores' poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction work have been published in journals and magazines in the US, UK, and Canada. She holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, & Publishing from Emerson College and is completing an MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. (Visit jenniferhillflores.com to learn more.)

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Thank you for supporting Debbie Zapata, Jennifer Hill-Flores, and your local independent bookstore!

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