As a kid, I was mesmerized by A.A. Milne’s poems. I wanted to travel to Timbuktu and frolic with Pooh in the 100 Acre Forest.

My favorite thing is teaching reading in a whimsical, hands-on way. I love to read aloud books, and right when the kids are engrossed, close the book and say, “Time to line up for lunch!”

There is a high probability that my toddler is eating PB & J crusts while waving to helicopters. My baby is most likely chewing on a board book. I am probably baking cookies, writing notes, and eating those cookies.

My children and all the kids I’ve ever taught!

Bandwagon. Lickety-split. Knick-knack. Toadstool. Cupcake. Ruckus!

I love any story that connects with my mixed-race background. My mom is from Brazil, and my dad is from New Orleans. I write stories about samba, myths from the bayou, and how my Vovó claims her cinnamon bananas can fix a bad day. I love to write about anything that reminds me of the rich culture I grew up in and haven’t seen represented in mainstream media.