Ask the Author: Margarita Engle, Drum Dream Girl
Photo by Marshal W. Johnson
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Margarita Engle is an award-winning children’s book author who has written over two dozen wonderful stories for children and young readers. Her books cover a range of topics but Mrs. Engle especially loves to highlight stories from Cuba and Latin America. Many of her books have also been published in Spanish. She currently resides in California with her husband.
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How did you discover Millo’s story and what made you want to write about her? I read about her in a book by her sister. I was amazed that she had been forgotten by history. I hoped to help bring her back.
Do you sing or play an instrument? No, I can’t sing or play an instrument. Poetry is my music.
When did you become interested in writing? I have been writing poetry since I was a small child. I loved writing about nature.
Do you have a favorite musical artist or style of music? I love old Cuban country music from the early twentieth century.
Do you have a favorite Anacaona song? I love the son montuno songs of the original Anacaona's era. Son de la loma is an example. (There is still a band by that name, but with a modernized musical style.)
The illustrations in this book are an interesting combination of realistic and dream-like. How much did you and Rafael LĂłpez collaborate on how to illustrate your words? The editor, Rea Simonsen, ordinated the glorious Rafael LĂłpez artwork, but she did give me a chance to see it before publication.
I read that you visited Cuba during the summers when you were a child. Did you ever participate in Carnival as a performer? Yes, I was fortunate to visit my extended family in rural Cuba during the summers but I am not a performer.
Your website mentions an upcoming project titled, A Song of Frutas. What (if anything!) can you tell us about this new project? It sounds musical! A Song of Frutas is a picture book about “los pregoneros,” Cuba’s singing vendors. The book is expected to be released in August of 2021
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Thank you, Mrs. Engle for sharing your thoughts (and your writing!)
with the Music Library Community! We look forward to reading A Song of Frutas in the future!
To learn more about Margarita Engle and her books, visit www.MargaritaEngle.com.
