I have known Rene' Colato Lainez for years. We met in a writing class and I was struck by his kindness and his sensitive writing on the immigrant experience. His many published stories detail this and fill a void for all the children who come to this country with their parents looking for a better life. His new book, My Shoes and I, tell the scary and wondrous tale of Marco on his journey to the United States. I asked Rene' a few questions about the book.
What inspired you to write a story about immigration?
My own personal journey from El Salvador to the United States inspired me to write MY SHOES AND I. In 1985, my father and I left El Salvador early in the morning.
My mother sent me a new pair of shoes for the trip. My shoes and I traveled through Guatemala, Mexico and the United States. My shoes and I crossed three countries in order to be reunited with my mother.
You are a teacher. What can all children and adults learn from this story?
Children and adults can see in this book all the hardships that immigrant children need to go through in search of a better life. It is hard to travel with no money, proper documentation or shelter. Unfortunately many children and adults don’t have any choice but to leave their own countries and look for new opportunities and a new life in another place.
What common threads would you say all your stories have?
The common thread in my books is the immigrant experience and living in two worlds.
Waiting for Papá, My Shoes and I, and my forthcoming book From North to South (Children's Book Press) are stories of children who need to cross borders. In I Am René, the Boy, Playing Lotería, René Has Two Last Names and The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez, I celebrate the great opportunity of living in two worlds, speaking two languages, and having fun in two cultures.
Mario fights for his food in the book. What would be his favorite dessert?
Yes, Mario’s food was eaten by dogs in Guatemala City but his father shared his carne asada with him. Also in Mexico City, they drank hot chocolate after the storm. Mario’s favorite dessert must be anything chocolate. Chocolate ice cream, yummy!
Bio:
René Colato Lainez is the Salvadoran award-winning author of many children’s books. In 1985, René, his shoes, and his father left El Salvador to come to the United States. Now, René lives in Los Angeles, California, where he is a teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School. Visit his bilingual site at www.renecolatolainez. You can find him on Facebook and become a fan.
My Shoes and I: A timely and inspiring story. Mario is leaving his home in El Salvador. With his father by his side, he is going north to join his mother, who lives in the United States. She has sent Mario a new pair of shoes. He will need good shoes because the journey north will be long and hard. He and his father will cross the borders of three countries. They will walk for miles, ride buses, climb mountains, and cross a river. Mario has faith in his shoes. He believes they will take him anywhere. On this day, they will take him to the United States, where his family will be reunited.
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In the summer I do landscaping cutting grass, and we start early.
Posted by: tk | April 11, 2010 at 03:22 AM
René,
Me alegra mucho tu nuevo libro y que con tus historias ayudes a muchos a entender los difíciles retos que atraviesan los inmigrantes. También que sean una celebración a la fortuna de ser parte de dos países, de dos culturas. Mucho éxito con éste y todos los que faltan.
Isabel
Posted by: Isabel Arraiza Arana | March 18, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Dear Rene,
I can't wait to read this book. I am so excited and proud.
I agree with Mara. The book should be published in Spanish. I already wrote to Kent Brown asking for a Spanish copy.
Thanks for all the wonderful stories that you write,
Christianne Meneses Jacobs
Posted by: Christianne Meneses Jacobs | March 18, 2010 at 12:59 PM
René, congratulations on your new book. I know it was a long wait, but it was worth it. The text and illustrations are so beautiful, it really stands out.
I hope Boyds Mill Press considers publishing My shoes and I in Spanish.
Mara
Posted by: Mara Price | March 18, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Hola,
Thanks for sharing your latest book. My son's class loves it.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | March 18, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Great post Tina. I love Rene's books. My Shoes and I is a very special book for our immigrant children.
Leticia Teresa Pontoni,
Argentina.
Posted by: Leticia Pontoni | March 16, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Dear Tina: I know you thanks René. I had the chance to make you an interview. It is a big chance make interviews to great artists like you. I admire books from René.
I am sure is so hard to begin a new life for children in a new culture, new friends, new language.
My best wishes to René, a friend.
Posted by: Leticia Pontoni | March 16, 2010 at 06:19 AM
Love this interview...Rene, your story is very inspiring...and I am sure that the ice cream comment will be well recieved by kids.
Traveling to a new country in search of a better life is not easy...but you make the adventure sound come from such a place of strength and love...
thanks for sharing
ADELANTE!!!
Zulmara
Posted by: Zulmara | March 15, 2010 at 03:54 PM
Hi, Tina. I am so glad you are a part of this blog tour for children's author Rene Colato Lainez and his book My Shoes and I. Your blog is great and a wonderful way to kick-off the second week of Rene's tour!
Many people are looking forward to getting their copies of My Shoes and I and those that have read it are giving it high praise.
I encourage your readers to follow this tour to increase their chances of winning a copy of My Shoes and I. Rene is around at each tour stop to answer reader questions and comments.
All the best.
~Anna
Posted by: Anna Rodriguez | March 15, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Thanks Tina,
Readers feel free to questions or comments and you will have a chance to win a copy of the book.
Rene Colato Lainez
Posted by: Rene Colato Lainez | March 15, 2010 at 10:09 AM