Amy L. Watkins is the author of the new children's picture book Nacho Ama a Salsa/Nacho Loves Salsa. Her other books include We Love Nacho. Also a high school teacher, she lives in Maryland.
Q: What inspired you to write Nacho Ama a Salsa/Nacho Loves Salsa?
A: My sweet Sadie, my black lab mix rescue dog and our many adventures walking in the neighborhood and going to the dog park!
Sadie is the first dog I've ever had and I got her as an adult. I thought all dogs want to be friends--not true!
I had a lot to learn but I was surprised when a lady told me, "My dog doesn't like black dogs" and on that same walk, a guy told me "My dog doesn't like black dogs."
The lady had a small white dog and the guy had a black dog similar in size to my Sadie. The lady was black and the guy was white.
It made me think about race relations and making friends. It made me think about how people make assumptions based on somebody's skin color. I used the dogs as characters to show that when they go to the dog park and play and get to know each other they become friends. I think the same can be true for people.
The family is Guatemalan and Irish so they speak mostly in English but use some Spanish words and phrases in the first version, Nacho Loves Salsa. I wanted this book to be a fully bilingual version of that.
I also have a character with albinism in this book which was created because I had a sweet student named Malia, who has albinism and who was very proud to talk about it. I wondered how albinism plays into conversations about race.
I ultimately wanted this to be a story about making forever friends in different ways and hoped it might be a conversation starter to talk about race with kids.
Q: What do you think Nomrota Saha’s illustrations add to the book?
A: She was able to take the words from my manuscript, describing the characters and settings, and bring life to them. I wanted the family members to have different shades of skin and different textures of hair and she did that. She used such vibrant colors to make the story feel warm.
She was able to continue the characters from my first book, We Love Nacho, into this one so seamlessly while adding new characters as well. She was able to capture the expressions of each character, as well as the dogs and the cat. I love how she has Nacho hugging Salsa to show them becoming friends.
I feel that even for young readers, who may not be able to read every word, they could look at the illustrations and tell the story in their own words. Nomrota did that!
Q: The book is published in English and Spanish--how did that come about?
A: I was an elementary English Language Development teacher, now a high school ELD teacher. The media specialist at my old school, Johanna de Leon, said, "You know I could translate that into Spanish for you if you like." I said yes!
She did an amazing job on my first book, We Love Nacho, and now on this one. I love the idea of parents being able to read in Spanish while the child reads in English or vice-versa. I wanted the two languages to be on the same page whether you are learning English or learning Spanish.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: My message is to always remember to be LOUD and PROUD. Be proud of who you are! Be proud of all the languages you speak, where you come from and always speak up for yourself. Let your voice be heard.
Make friends with people who come in all shapes and sizes and all shades of colors. Remember your second language (or your third or fourth) is your super power!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am currently working on the Rock, Paper, Write podcast highlighting local authors from the Kensington Row Bookshop. We learn so much from each other and I wanted to share others' voices.
I am having a lot of fun with my front row V.I.P. seat to asking questions and elevating authors who have also inspired me. As for writing, I have a few ideas in mind...
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Thank you so much for the interview and a chance to share some inside info about my book and the thoughts behind it.
Fun Fact: My Sadie was originally named Sandy and Nacho is the name of one of the dogs in my current neighborhood. Salsa is based off of a cat in my current neighborhood named Lily. Salsa is the name of a friend's cat.
Eudora came from the first person I signed a book for at the Kensington Row Bookshop and her name means a good gift.
My great-grandmother spoke Italian, I wish she taught it to me as a little girl.
A friend encouraged me to start this journey. I am so thankful for his words and can't wait to see where else this journey takes me.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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