The resilience of our ancestors
with Alyssa Reynoso-Morris author of 'Plátanos Are Love' (illustrated by Mariyah Rahman)
#NuevasPaginas is a space that aims to amplify and spotlight Hispanic/Latine/x authors with newly published books. The goal is to connect readers to their next favorite Hispanic/Latine/x authored book through a mini casual get-to-know-the-book-and-author interview. So give please spread the news so we can reach more readers and continue the love/support of Latine literature!
How does it work?!
Here’s the deal, I came up with a set of casual/random/fun questions to ask each Hispanic/Latinx/e author, I interview. If you are new here don’t forget to check out all the other amazing interviews! We also have a great line-up of guest authors coming up so make sure you don’t miss an issue by subscribing now!
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Hey Book Franz!
It’s a new week which means a new author interview and today’s interview is a little extra special because I made the video below of what it was like reading the book with my kid. I mention in the caption that I get asked often if I’d consider reviewing children’s books and while I am not opposed to it, as a parent I am way more interested in knowing how a kid engages with a book instead of hearing from the parents about what worked or didn’t work in the book. So if I do consider doing any children’s book reviews - they’ll come like this and from my kid <3
If you can’t catch the video right now, I can tell you he had a lot of great questions about what we were reading and it made for such a great opportunity for us to connect. So although I forgot to ask him for his star rating, I have a feeling he might yell “PLÁTANOS 🍌 FIVE PLÁTANOS 🍌” aka Five Stars!
BTW - For my DC/MD/VA area friends, I’ll be chatting with Jennifer De Leon in- person TOMORROW (at Politics and Prose at 6 PM ET), to talk about her new book BORDERLESS. Her name might be familiar to you because I interviewed her right here just last week! The event is free and open to everyone, please join us if you can.
What is Lupita reading this week?
My brain has been so sad lately that reading has been hard for me. Focusing on words and not what my brain wants to spiral into has been hard……so:
(on audio) I am still making my way through A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston by Robyn Crawford.
(on paper) I am still making my way through Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith and Migration by Alejandra Oliva.
Without further ado, our very special guest author for today’s Nuevas Pagina issue is……Alyssa Reynoso-Morris author of Plátanos Are Love (illustrated by Mariyah Rahman)!
Could you tell me a bit about where this photo was taken? Is it special to your book in some way?
I took this picture in front of my home library. The first drafts of Plátanos Are Love were written in 2019 before COVID but the story really took shape in 2020 with the help of critique partners and then my literary agent. This room was where I do the bulk of my writing between work and mom life. This room is where I took my calls with my mentor Donna Barba Higuera, author of Lupe Wong Won't Dance and The Last Cuentista. This room is where I had my 2.5-hour call with my agent as we geeked out about books, zodiac signs, being hyperactive cheerleaders, and more. It become a safe place for my daughter and me to read when everything closed down for our safety. It did not look like this in 2019; like my writing, this room has changed, but like my books, it feels like home.
Tell me about your book without telling me about your book - share any literary inspirations behind your book! If there are none, the gap you wanted to fill in the literary canon with your book
When I wrote my book in 2019 there were no books about plátanos but there were amazing works like Freedom Soup by Tami Charles and Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard - they are books about the unifying power of food but are also love letters to our ancestors. In Freedom Soup we learn about how Haiti fought for its freedom and Fry Bread reminds us that Native Americans are still here despite consistent persecution. Both stories are skillfully written so young readers can understand. Both works are filled with hope and love.
What are two central themes in your book that you connect with the most and why?
LOVE and the resilience of our ancestors. LOVE is at the heart of all my stories. The word LOVE is even in the title. I want kids to read Plátanos Are Love and feel love for their culture and feel loved by their resilient ancestors that overcame enslavement and exploitation for them to be here. I want them to know they are loved.
If a book was home, where would your home be?
Too many homes to choose from: on the NYC subways like Alex and Isa from This Train Is Being Held, in England with Lila from A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, and Ana's DR and NYC from Angie Cruz's Dominicana. I am Dominican and Puertorican and grew up in The Bronx so stories that take place in NY or The BX will always feel like home.
If your book was a famous musician who would it be?
Ohhh, interesting question... I would say Celia Cruz because it is full of love, joy, and BLACKNESS. The Queen was proud of her Cuban and Black roots. Plus I cannot listen to her songs without dancing. It's impossible.
What comfort food could a reader pair with your book?
Anything made with plátanos - tostones, maduros, mangu, mofongo, alcapurria, yaroa, pastelon, pasteles, and the list goes on.
In what ways has access (or little to no access) to Hispanic/Latinx/e literature defined you as a writer?
Since I was seven years old I wanted to be a writer. I still have the first book I wrote when I was seven and I treasure it as my reminder. I grew up reading Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, and Jacqueline Woodson and LOVED their books. But as the daughter of immigrants, I needed to become a doctor or a lawyer to get my family out of poverty. But I kept writing - on the side - for myself - in my journal. Writing helped me process my experiences. Writing helped me understand and love myself. Writing was my therapy, but I never thought I would become a professional writer no matter how many times people told me I was a good writer. Then fast forward to being pregnant with my daughter. I was so excited to put her library together but was disappointed to see that in over 30 years there was still so much diversity missing in publishing. I took that as my final call to action. I wrote and wrote. I researched. I applied to mentorship programs. Shout out to Las Musas and The Word, A Storytelling Sanctuary. Now I have three book deals and more to come. I feel honored to be able to give others, especially Black and Latine children, the opportunity to see themselves and their culture on the page. It is a dream come true to see my books about LOVE, family, food, pride, and our culture out in the world.
Where can readers keep up with your work?
The best way to contact me is through my website www.AlyssaAuthor.com. I can also be found on social media (Instagram and Twitter) at @AReynosoMorris
Thank you to Alyssa Reynoso-Morris for taking the time to chat with me about her book! Please please make sure you purchase a copy (or request your local library carry a copy) #SupportLatinxLit!
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latine/x Dominican and Puerto Rican storyteller. Her ability to weave compelling stories has opened many doors for her as an author, speaker, and resume writer. She is also a mother and community organizer. During the day she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been. Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner and daughter. She is the author of Plátanos Are Love, The Bronx Is My Home, and Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book. She hopes you enjoy her stories.
Synopsis for ‘Plátanos Are Love’ from the Bookshop website:
A delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl's experiences in the kitchen with her abuela.
Abuela says, "plátanos are love."
I thought they were food.
But Abuela says they feed us in more ways than one.
With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and--most importantly--they are love.
Thanks! Your post was warm and inviting, clever and compelling-- a charla with an accomplished daughter we all can be proud of.