Diana Paola Navarro Gómez is the author of the bilingual children's picture book Danny sabe Leer/Danny Can Read.
Q: What inspired you to write Danny sabe leer/Danny Can Read?
A: This answer will probably sound cliché, but I truly believe inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. I’ve always loved writing, but I never imagined I would become a children’s book author— that is, until I had my kids.
There were moments when we were going through situations at home and I struggled to find the right words to explain things that felt too complex for them, especially feelings.
Danny Can Read is based on a true story from my own family. My son learned to read before his sister—who happens to be his twin. The special attention he received for that achievement unintentionally caused her frustration and jealousy because she began comparing herself to him.
I found myself wondering: how could I explain to her that she would eventually learn too? And how could I validate her feelings without sounding dismissive or judgmental?
Writing Danny Can Read allowed me to explore exactly that.
Q: What do you think Carmen Blanco’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Carmen’s illustrations complement the story beautifully.
This book was written with read-aloud moments in mind, and the illustrations communicate a powerful non-verbal language that captivates children, especially those who are not reading yet.
Sometimes it’s easier for children to identify emotions by looking at the expressions on the dinosaurs’ faces. The illustrations help bring those feelings to life.
Q: The book is available in a bilingual edition--how did that come about?
A: The story appears in English and Spanish side by side.
Being bilingual has always been an important part of my life. I attended an American school in Colombia and also lived in the United States for three years.
I wanted the book to serve families who live between languages or cultures, as well as children who are learning to read in a second language. With the text side by side, kids and parents can naturally compare both versions and reinforce reading comprehension.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: I hope children understand that it’s okay to feel all the feelings.
We live in an extremely hyper-connected world where social media and technology often place us in constant comparison with others.
Comparison isn’t necessarily bad, as long as we can celebrate what others do well while also learning to look inward and recognize what each of us is good at, or what we can work on to improve.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m currently working with my editor on the second book in the Danny and Lily series.
Like the first book, it’s inspired by real conversations and situations with my kids. Each new story explores different emotions and experiences that children navigate as they grow.
In this next book, we explore what happens when a child feels a sense of absence they don’t fully understand. Lily begins to feel like something is missing, and through her journey she learns how to name that feeling and understand that emotions like nostalgia or sadness are also a natural part of love and memory.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: One of my favorite parts of this journey has been hearing from readers.
If any Danny and Lily fans would like to follow along, they can find me on Instagram, where I share updates about new books and little glimpses of our real-life adventures that inspire these stories.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Diana Paola Navarro Gómez. Enter this giveaway for a chance to win one of three signed paperback copies of Danny sabe leer / Danny can read! One grand prize winner will also receive a 36-piece puzzle inspired by the book along with their signed copy. Giveaway ends April 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM Mountain Time.
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