Meet Maritza Higuera | Bilingual Children’s Book Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maritza Higuera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maritza, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process about starting to write bilingual books was when I was a teacher working for a preschool program. I noticed the struggle of children and families when they were learning a second language and couldn’t understand the story or parts of it. When it was time to go home, each child would pick a book to take home. Sometimes, children wanted to pick a book that was not in the language the parents spoke, and the parents asked the children to pick a book in their language because it was hard to read. The same happened with English speakers learning Spanish from some of his class friends. They wanted to take the Spanish book off the shelf, but their parents were English speakers and couldn’t read Spanish. I started thinking about making bilingual books for children to see the words, learn and enjoy the story while learning a second language, or understand the story in their language. Also, as a bilingual teacher, I thought about other teachers and how important it is to see a bilingual book available and catch new words or sentences for children learning a new language with the support of the teachers and peers.
As an Early Childhood teacher, I read many books, but none were bilingual or interactive. I did notice that we need more books where children can learn in their language while expanding their knowledge by practicing in an interactive book and continuing their learning outside of the story to make the learning into a hands-on activity.
Both of my bilingual books teach children a lesson with the opportunity to expand their knowledge after the story in hands-on activities in the same book.

I was born in Tucson, AZ, and raised in Nogales Sonora, Mexico. Living by the border helped me understand the need of many children and adults to learn a second language when they migrate to a new country and their struggles. After graduating high school on the Mexican side of the border, I continued my education in Arizona, away from my family and the ones I loved, with the dream of learning a new language, exploring a different country and culture, and becoming a teacher. While working, I completed my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and obtained a nutrition certificate from Standford University.

I enjoy writing bilingual books (English/Spanish) to help children and families who are learning a second language or have aspirations to learn one to have a chance to see and understand the different languages in the same book. As an Early childhood advocate, I care about the importance of nutrition during early development and introducing a second language to our new generations.

My books are available worldwide in prestigious bookstores on all seven continents.

“If I Eat My Fruits and Vegetables,” an interactive children’s book that has a message about healthy eating and allows you to write in the back of the book healthy recipes, I wanted to emphasize my focus on children’s nutritional habits and the importance of nutrition as their lifelong impact, teach them about how our body can perform with very simple words and in a way that could be easy to understand at a young age. I strongly believe that If we have a healthy body, we will have a healthy and happy mind.

“Fire Heroes,” my bilingual second book, teaches children about firefighters, what it takes to be a fire hero in our community, and how families of those brave firefighters wait for them to come back home safe after working several days or holidays spent out of their home. At the end of the book, children can learn about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

As a bilingual mom, former teacher, and advocate in education and nutrition, I knew the importance of creating bilingual books that are easy to access for all children.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am very proud to be able to support my community and the world by making bilingual books where children can read in two different languages (English and Spanish) in the same book and also have interactive pages where they can put into practice what they read. It was challenging to learn a second language when I was 18 and study in a Country where I didn’t grow up while being away from my family. Still, I believe that everything is possible when you surround yourself with people who support your goals and dreams. When I was studying to be a teacher, I never imagined I was going to become a bilingual writer for children while I advocate for their safety and nutrition. During my career, I was in charge of building the first mobile library in my county, where I was able to read and share my love of reading in many schools around my area. I believe that challenges are made to help us reach our goals while we discover who we are and what we want to do for our family, our future, and for others in our community. With that being said, I would love the world to know that nothing is impossible, I want to be an inspiration for those who struggle to cross a border, do not know the language, and do not have the resources to start, do not give up, ever, your strength and commitment will make you an outstanding person with a bright future!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will take my friend to see and explore my beautiful Rio Rico, AZ, area. I will take her to the M&M Family Orchard on the first day to relax in front of the lavender and sunflower fields. I will teach her the variety of sunflowers they have at the Orchard, like the mammoth sunflowers, firecrackers, red velvets, and many other varieties. I will walk her around to feed the goats and the horse. I will walk her to the fishpond, where we can relax while feeding hundreds of goldfish, and end the day at the Orchard with a fire, making smores and buying from local vendors. This happens twice a month at the M&M Family Orchard.

I will take her to Nickles Dinner, a local restaurant where their food is delicious, and the owners are fantastic community leaders and supporters of the students and community.

I will invite her to a bike ride with the 0s3 Movement the next day. They do a bike ride with the most scenic views in our County.

I will also take my friend to Morley Avenue to see all the murals done by local artists, the Wittner Museum with paints from a local artist, and La Linea art studio.

I will take her to the best local restaurant in Patagonia called Gathering Grounds, where they make the best breakfast and pastries. The owners are amiable and amazing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A big part of having my books outside to the world was thanks to the support of my husband Malki Higuera, a Fire Captain for Nogales Fire; he has been working in the fire service for the past 20 years as a paramedic, search and rescue medic, teaching new firefighters academy in our town and as a captain. Malki also has a side hobby where we receive visitors to our ranch for children and families to learn about planting, farming, and the environment. Malki has a big heart for community and enjoys helping our neighborhood with outdoor fun to teach them how to care for animals and plants.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maritzalynn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritza-lynn-higuera-792b97257/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maritza.lynn?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
All images are by Maritza Lynn Higuera