Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors, who have released or have upcoming releases in 2023, are given six questions to answer about themselves and their book. Currently, the questions are the same for all authors. We hope you enjoy getting to know Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and can offer your support. Go here for past Debut You features.
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Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Ambitious, curious, compassionate, idealistic, and hype-woman.
Remember that name game we would play in school—the one where you pick an adjective that starts with the same letter as your name? Well, I was always “Ambitious Alyssa” and have been for as long as I remember. What has changed, however, is how I define success. As an adult, it isn’t about getting the highest grades; now, it’s about demonstrating compassion and hyping up my crew when they need me. I am determined to see my community and my people thriving.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
My journey was full of love and support, first from an editor, Norma Perez-Hernandez. We both went to the same high school, and she gave me a bunch of resources to dive into. Then, I applied for the Las Musas Hermanas Mentorship and was nurtured and challenged by the prolific award-winning and NYT Bestselling author Donna Barba Higuera. I learned so much about craft and the publishing industry through Donna. After this mentorship, I applied for The Words’ Editor-Writer Mentorship Program, which changed my life. I was fortunate enough to work with Jessica Anderson, editor at Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. My writing improved in ways I could not even imagine during this mentorship. To top it off, Jessica acquired two of my manuscripts; The Bronx Is My Home comes out in October 2023, and Gloriana Present: A First Day of School Book comes out in 2024. From idea to publication, this has been in the works for about four years. Publishing is a hard and competitive industry, but I am glad I did not stop and kept moving forward. I am grateful to the community I cultivated that supported me along the way.
Belief in oneself is important; besides you, who has been your cheerleader(s) throughout this process?
I have many cheerleaders. I am fortunate to have developed a community. They include my agent Kaitlyn Sanchez, Las Musas, The Word-A Storytelling Sanctuary, KidLit in Color, and PB Sunrays.
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
Kids are smart, compassionate, and curious. They love books, and it brings me so much joy to be able to pen books that Black and Brown kids can see themselves in. In truth, I write the stories I wish I had seen on shelves when I was a kid. I write for seven-year-old Alyssa, who didn’t see herself, her family, her culture, her values, her challenges, and her joy on the page.
Tell us about your book.
Plátanos Are Love is a delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl’s experiences in the kitchen with her abuela. It is an intergenerational story about food, the power of our ancestors, and how love is passed down from generation to generation.
Abuela says, “plátanos are love.”
I thought they were food.
But Abuela says they feed us in more ways than one.
With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and—most importantly—they are love.
YOU did it, congratulations! Your story is going to be read by children or teens, educators, parents, librarians, book bloggers, etc. How do you feel, and are there any other projects in the works—that you can discuss?
AHHH!!! PINCH ME!!! I cannot believe it is finally happening. Thank you so much for your platform and for sharing Plátanos Are Love with your audience. I appreciate you and all you do.
I am excited to have two other books coming out. The Bronx Is My Home comes out in October 2023. This is a picture book celebration of hometown pride, including the history, landscape, cuisines, cultures, and activities unique to this vibrant community.
Welcome to The Bronx, New York, where you can see bodegas and businesses bustling on every street, taste the most delicious empanadas in the world, smell the sea-salty air of Pelham Bay, and pet horses at the Bronx Equestrian Center. From sunrise to sunset, Santiago and Mami have many treasures to enjoy in their neighborhood on a beautiful Saturday, including colorful birds on the Siwanoy Trail and fresh cannolis on Arthur Avenue.
This vibrant and joyful family story offers both a journey through and a love letter to this special borough. The Bronx Is My Home is a triumphant celebration of hometown pride, as well as a heartfelt invitation to all, for readers of My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Pena and Saturday by Oge Mora.
Gloriana Present: A First Day of School Book is an intergenerational story about Gloriana’s first day of school. She needs to learn to own her voice and story to overcome her anxiety and make friends. Gloriana’s journey mirror’s her abuela’s immigration journey and challenges when she made the U.S. her new home.
Plátanos Are Love
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris | Mariyah Rahman | Atheneum | April 11, 2023 | Amazon | Bookshop
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latinx/e Dominican and Puerto Rican storyteller. She wears many hats—author, mother, motivational speaker, resume writer, and community organizer. Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her partner and daughter. During the day, she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been. She hopes you enjoy her stories.
Connect with Alyssa Reynoso-Morris: Website | Instagram | Twitter
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