Author, Lola Cruz
Lola believes that every child is a treasure. After 25 years in the classroom, she began writing children’s stories based on her childhood, and her former student’s experiences. Her intention is to write stories for all young children to enjoy, and feel accepted and valued. Besides writing children’s stories, Lola loves to hike, play ukulele, and hang out with her two cats, Emmy and Izzy.
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About Lupita's Treasure
Lupita's Treasure
By Author Lola Cruz
Illustrated by Elizabeth Konetz
If you could share one special treasure with others, what would you choose? This heartwarming story is told through the eyes of a young girl struggling with wanting to be accepted.
It’s show-and-tell time in Lupita’s first-grade class. After seeing all the treasures her classmates share, Lupita worries she will not find the one perfect thing. Join Lupita as she searches for, and eventually discovers, something she truly values, giving her an opportunity to share her culture and embrace what makes her unique. In this first book in the Lupita series, by Lola Cruz, children learn a valuable
message about self-acceptance and celebrating what makes them a one-of-a-kind treasure.
Lupita’s Treasure is written for:
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Children of all backgrounds, ages 4-8.
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Parents to explore the concepts of family, culture, and belonging with their children.
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Teachers to help their students recognize the similarities between one another and embrace the differences because, in the end, we are more alike than we are different.
Endearing, enjoyable, and compelling with rich colorful illustrations, this story will inspire kids to embrace the things about themselves that make them uniquely special while strengthening what brings us all together as people!
Readers will smile inside and out after reading this kind-hearted story.
Special thanks to illustrator, Elizabeth Konetz, for beautifully capturing the thoughts and emotions of Lupita and bringing this story to life.
Changing the Narrative
Books can change lives. We’ve all held onto certain books because they have had a lasting impression on us. Perhaps it was a phrase that resonated with us or we saw ourselves in one of the main characters. Books help us to have a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Our world has always been home to many wonderful people, places, and cultures. Children’s books provide valuable opportunities for children to explore other cultures and help them learn and share ideas with one another. When kids grow up seeing, reading about, and learning from people from a wide range of backgrounds, their lives are wonderfully enriched, and they become more accepting and appreciative of those differences.
Culturally diverse books are for all children to enjoy. For children of color, it offers them the opportunity to feel seen, accepted, and valued. Today, many more books are available to kids that reflect the reality of the diverse world around us, yet these books still only make up a small percentage of the children’s book market. There is still work to be done.
In times when there is so much disagreement over diversity, children’s books that address differences in a kind and warm-hearted way provide an important starting point for these tough conversations. As parents, teachers, librarians, and community members, it is our responsibility to begin these conversations.
Our children are the future, and it is worth the effort to build a more harmonious and conscientious world. Join me in reading, supporting, and creating books that empower all children to tell their stories, and to learn and share their ideas in a meaningful way. Together, we can change the future one book at a time!
Our Readers' Reviews
Wonderful Message
“I love that this sweet story gives the overall message that we all have things in our lives to treasure. The story draws you in with its realistic depiction of show-and-tell school days and the anxiety kids surely feel to deliver something great. Great book and illustrations!”
Carol Wyllie, Children's Book Author
