Meet Cherrye Vasquez, Ph.D., Author of No Tildes on Tuesday
What inspired you to become a children's author?
I have always wanted to write a book, but after becoming a mother of a biracial child, I began to see the need for writing children's books in the multicultural genre as related to self-identity, diversity, affirmation and empowerment issues and topics.
How did you come up with the idea for No Tildes on Tuesday?
Isabella, main character, is 13 years old. She never wanted to learn her father's first language, Spanish. She identifies with only one half of her heritage. When over the weekend, Abuela (grandmother) realizes that Isabella's heart just isn't into learning the Spanish language, Abuela informs Isabella the following weekday that she is not to come back to her house for lessons. Isabella says to herself, "No Tildes on Tuesday."
Is No Tildes on Tuesday your first book?
Yes, No Tildes on Tuesday is my first book.
How long did it take to get No Tildes on Tuesday published?
It took me approximately 2 years from start to finish to write, No Tildes on Tuesday. This time span included rewrites and edits.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
Yes. My platform topics: Diversity and Bullying are my favorite. As relative to these two topics, I also post weekly blogs on my website.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I wrote No Tildes on Tuesday so that I could reveal the complexities that children experience when they do not identify early on in their lives their total identity and/or heritage(s).
Children's authors don't always get to choose who illustrates their books. Are you happy with how your illustrations turned out?
I am very happy with how my illustrations turned out. My illustrator,Brandon Wood, is employed by my by publisher. Brandon consulted with me about how I wanted Isabella to look. He asked me about her skin color and hair texture. I was also surprised that Isabella's father, Antonio, looks very similar to how my own personal husband looks. My illustrator has never seen my husband, nor a picture of him.Many people comment how similar the illustrated character, Antonio, looks in comparison to my husband. I did use my husband's middle name to name this character.
Are the characters as you imagined them?
The characters in No Tildes on Tuesday are more than what I imagined. They are perfect to me. I couldn't be more pleased.
Are you working on any other books?
Yes, I have put the finishing touches on my second chapter book. I've titled it, Dedicated Identity, but I am not sure if this will be the final title. Dedicated Identity is a "take off" or sequel to No Tildes on Tuesday. Isabella goes full circle with finally loving who she is. She finally identifies with her Spanish heritage. Now, she wants not only to fit in, but desires for all the students at he new school, regardless of their ethnicity, to unite and learn about the similarities and differences of each other. In addition, I have written two Daybooks: The Diversity Daybook is designed for students to journal about their individuality and special qualities that makes them unique and worthy as citizens in our diverse society. As a mother, educator and author, it is important for me to see children learning about each other in healthy respectable ways. In fact, the rich colors of this text depicts how rich, colorful and diverse we are as a people. The purpose of The AfFiRmAtIoN DaYbOoK is for students to express and affirm who they are through voice as well as journaling. By doing so, students will become increasingly aware of their empowerment which will be filled with inner strength, self-confidence, and abundant self-esteem.
Just as the letters of the title are placed using high and low alphabets, students will have high days (days when they feel that they are on top of the world, and everything is going well), and low days (days when they feel that the world is against them, and nothing is going right) as they go about their daily lives.
About the Author:
Cherrye Vasquez is a public school administrator and an adjunct professor. She is a Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction; a Master of Education in Special Education; and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology/Audiology. Vasquez specializes in Multi-cultural education and holds certifications in Early Childhood Handicapped, Mid-Management and Educational Diagnostician. She lives in Houston with her husband, Roy and her daughter, Kelly.
Find out more about Cherrye Vasquez and No Tildes on Tuesday by visiting www.booksthatsow.com.
I have always wanted to write a book, but after becoming a mother of a biracial child, I began to see the need for writing children's books in the multicultural genre as related to self-identity, diversity, affirmation and empowerment issues and topics.
How did you come up with the idea for No Tildes on Tuesday?
Isabella, main character, is 13 years old. She never wanted to learn her father's first language, Spanish. She identifies with only one half of her heritage. When over the weekend, Abuela (grandmother) realizes that Isabella's heart just isn't into learning the Spanish language, Abuela informs Isabella the following weekday that she is not to come back to her house for lessons. Isabella says to herself, "No Tildes on Tuesday."
Is No Tildes on Tuesday your first book?
Yes, No Tildes on Tuesday is my first book.
How long did it take to get No Tildes on Tuesday published?
It took me approximately 2 years from start to finish to write, No Tildes on Tuesday. This time span included rewrites and edits.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
Yes. My platform topics: Diversity and Bullying are my favorite. As relative to these two topics, I also post weekly blogs on my website.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I wrote No Tildes on Tuesday so that I could reveal the complexities that children experience when they do not identify early on in their lives their total identity and/or heritage(s).
Children's authors don't always get to choose who illustrates their books. Are you happy with how your illustrations turned out?
I am very happy with how my illustrations turned out. My illustrator,Brandon Wood, is employed by my by publisher. Brandon consulted with me about how I wanted Isabella to look. He asked me about her skin color and hair texture. I was also surprised that Isabella's father, Antonio, looks very similar to how my own personal husband looks. My illustrator has never seen my husband, nor a picture of him.Many people comment how similar the illustrated character, Antonio, looks in comparison to my husband. I did use my husband's middle name to name this character.
Are the characters as you imagined them?
The characters in No Tildes on Tuesday are more than what I imagined. They are perfect to me. I couldn't be more pleased.
Are you working on any other books?
Yes, I have put the finishing touches on my second chapter book. I've titled it, Dedicated Identity, but I am not sure if this will be the final title. Dedicated Identity is a "take off" or sequel to No Tildes on Tuesday. Isabella goes full circle with finally loving who she is. She finally identifies with her Spanish heritage. Now, she wants not only to fit in, but desires for all the students at he new school, regardless of their ethnicity, to unite and learn about the similarities and differences of each other. In addition, I have written two Daybooks: The Diversity Daybook is designed for students to journal about their individuality and special qualities that makes them unique and worthy as citizens in our diverse society. As a mother, educator and author, it is important for me to see children learning about each other in healthy respectable ways. In fact, the rich colors of this text depicts how rich, colorful and diverse we are as a people. The purpose of The AfFiRmAtIoN DaYbOoK is for students to express and affirm who they are through voice as well as journaling. By doing so, students will become increasingly aware of their empowerment which will be filled with inner strength, self-confidence, and abundant self-esteem.
Just as the letters of the title are placed using high and low alphabets, students will have high days (days when they feel that they are on top of the world, and everything is going well), and low days (days when they feel that the world is against them, and nothing is going right) as they go about their daily lives.
About the Author:
Cherrye Vasquez is a public school administrator and an adjunct professor. She is a Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction; a Master of Education in Special Education; and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology/Audiology. Vasquez specializes in Multi-cultural education and holds certifications in Early Childhood Handicapped, Mid-Management and Educational Diagnostician. She lives in Houston with her husband, Roy and her daughter, Kelly.
Find out more about Cherrye Vasquez and No Tildes on Tuesday by visiting www.booksthatsow.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012
