Attended the Texas Library Association conference (TLA) a few days ago in San Antonio. Met many of my author friends and did a signing for Lerner for my book, Piece by Piece Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, was on a panel, and also a Meet & Greet. Whew! This pic is of me at the Junior League Guild booth where my book was one of those selected in their collection of best books of 2024.
I am proud to announce that my STEAM picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift For President Roosevelt, published by Millbrook, now has a teacher’s guide. Please follow link: https://lernerbooks.com/teaching_guides/808
It was my pleasure to host three of Ernestine’s four daughters at my house so that I could sign their books and take a picture. Their mother, Ernestine, the character in my book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, was an amazing, creative person. I feel honored to have written this book which can now be bought at any of your local bookstores, Amazon, and Lerner at https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/23019 LtoR: Alice, Virginia, and Charlotte. Not available was Mary Helen.
Yay!! My historical fiction picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, with awesome illustrations by Anna Lopez Real is now out. Published by Millbrook, it is a touching story of a Mexican-American girl from San Antonio, TX, who created a beautiful clock case out of discarded food-relief crates during the Great Depression. The clock case is still on display at the FDR Museum in Hyde, New York. The book can now be bought at Amazon or any local bookstore.
PIECE BY PIECE: ERNESTINE’S GIFT FOR PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
A small but feel-good historical anecdote. The true story of an elaborate clock case that a young Mexican American resident of San Antonio made for Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a thank-you gift. A gingerbread fantasy crafted from 156 pieces of sugar pine crates saved from New Deal food deliveries, the 40-inch-high case sits today in the FDR Presidential Library. It was made in 1937 in recognition of help received during the Great Depression. The letter to the president that she composed to go with the gift, which is excerpted in the narrative and shown in full at the end, is likewise marvelous.
Good news: The ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) for my picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, have arrived. The final hardcover books are due out in September 2023; however, you can always preorder at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or your local bookstore. The story is inspirational and the illustrations are beautiful. This true story is set in San Antonio, Texas.
My second bit of news: I have signed a contract for a yet-untitled middle-grade novel set in Texas. Tons of research went into this book which describes the struggles of Mexican-American pecan shellers who fought for social justice during the late 1930s. The story is also set in Texas.
I wish you much success in your writing. Hang in there. It will happen.
It’s been a while since I posted here. I am in the middle of revisions for another middle-grade book. I do have good news but am unable to reveal it until further notice. The illustrations for my historical picture book, Piece by Piece, are just about done. They look great. Wishing all of you writers and illustrators a great day for writing and for your artwork. Hasta luego! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hispanic Heritage Month – Day 5 – My guest today is the award-winning Lupe Ruiz-Flores. Please go by and welcome her and learn about her books and inspiration for her books. She also has a new book coming in the fall of 2023 – Piece by Piece.
Check my blog: https://lmgonzalez.wordpress.com/blog/
Also, check Books Page on Ms. Ruiz-Flores’ website, a truly wonderful list of bilingual children’s books, which sometimes feature “Lupita” and her adventures. 
Here is a picture of the author at a reading. The book cover is of “Lupita’s Papalote”, one of her first books and the first book I bought of hers several years ago.
We call each other “Tocaya” since we’re both named Lupe.
Congratulations on your many awards and successes.
5You, Caren Creech and 3 others
I am excited about my historical fiction picture book coming out in 2023. I did quite a bit of research for this book and enjoyed every moment. Will let you know when publication gets closer.
There was no hurricane wind, no thunderstorm, no warning, in fact we’re in the middle of a drought, but … this morning when I woke up and looked out my kitchen window, there was this fallen tree in my back yard. Not all the tree, but entire branches had broken off. They fell over my fence, just hanging there, almost touching the ground, but not quite. They resembled a canopy of sorts. The branches will be cut and removed, of course, but it leaves me wondering why this perfectly good-looking tree which offers some shade suddenly decided not to.
