Can you tell La Bloga Readers
what is Lola Levine book series about?
The Lola Levine series is about a fierce, funny bilingual
girl from a multicultural family who learns to strive and thrive in a world
where she doesn’t always fit in. Her father is Jewish and Eastern
European, and her mother is Peruvian and Catholic. Lola might be called a
“tomboy” by others, because she’s crazy for soccer, but she thinks labels are
silly. So what if her best friend is a boy? Lola loves words almost as
much as she love soccer and writes often—notes, letters, and in her diario.
Lola has lots of opinions and she’s not afraid to share them.
Did Lola Levine born as a book or did
you have the intention to create a series since the first book?
Because I wanted to write a chapter book, I knew it would
need to be a series. It was a particular challenge, but very much worth it! I
was used to writing picture books, which are much shorter and I wanted to
explore the novel form, for young readers. Now I’ve created what I call
Lolaworld, which is a pretty joyful place to dwell, as an artist, a reader, and
a writer.
Some authors use their own
life in writing. What Lola Levine has of Monica Brown? What is something different
from the author?
Other than my Marisol McDonald series, these are the books that
are closest to my life—fictionalized of course! I do happen to have a
outspoken, fierce, soccer-playing daughter Jules, who is a great inspiration
for Lola, but her older sister, Bella, an equally fierce ballerina, informs my
writing too. You see some of that dynamic when I introduce the character of Bella
Benitez in Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme. Like me, Lola is very
competitive (and loud), qualities that aren’t always encouraged in
girls. I’m a fútbol fanatic myself, and was known as “bigfoot”
on my childhood soccer team:).
What has been
the experience working with Angela Dominguez?
I loved Angela’s work before I even met her, and it’s
always a delight to discover that some people are as nice as they are talented.
Her illustrations bring a sweetness to the character that has some salty
personality traits. I proud of our collaboration to create one of the
first ever Latina-authored and illustrated chapter book series!
What are the new Lola’s books
about?
So many things! Lola Levine meets Jelly and Bean is
just out, and it’s about Lola and her little brother’s adventures acquiring a
new pet. Lola book six, Lola Levine and the Vacation Dream, due out this
April 25th, is so close to my heart. It involves Lola taking a family trip to
Lima, Peru to visit her Tia Lola, who she’s named after. I think this
book explores identity and race in ways not yet done in chapter books and I’m
very proud of it. It was also very personal, because I drew
from the many trips I made with my mother and family to Peru as a child. I lost
my mother several years ago, but not before she could introduce her mother
country to my daughters-her grandchildren.
Are there
any ideas for future books?
I am bubbling over with ideas for my little Lola and her
family and friends. I’ve written six books thus far, and as for more
stories—time will tell. The sixth book in the series is Lola Levine and the
Halloween Scream, so that will be fun. There’s some mysterious
alchemy I’m told, related to whether chapter book series “hit” with children or
not, so my fingers are crossed that I can continue to share Lola’s life with
children all over. I’m thrilled to note that the first book, Lola
Levine is Not Mean! is being translated into Spanish as I write this!
Thank you for donating some books for La Bloga. What do La Bloga readers need to do to participate?
The first five readers who share this blog post on social media will
receive a signed copy of one of the Lola Books! Sent directly to you anywhere
in the United States.
The author as a young soccer player; and, the “original” Lola, her daughter JuJu.
Monica Brown, Ph.D. is the
award-winning author of many multicultural books for children. Her books have
received numerous honors and starred reviews. She wrote the Chistopher-Award
winner Waiting for the Biblioburro, illustrated by John Parra, and the
Marisol McDonald picture book series, which includes Marisol McDonald
Doesn’t Match/no combina; Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash/y la
fiesta sin igual, and Marisol McDonald and the Monster/y el monstruo
all illustrated by Sara Palacios. Her most recent creation is the unique,
fabulous Lola Levine, who stars in Monica’s first chapter book series, which
includes Lola Levine is Not Mean!, Lola Levine, Drama Queen, and
the forthcoming Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme (Fall 2016) and Lola
Levine Meets Jelly and Bean (Winter 2017). Her next picture book will be Frida
and her Animalitos, from North South Press.
Monica Brown is also a Professor of
English at Northern Arizona University where she teaches Chicano/a, U.S.
Latino/a, and African American Literature.
