INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MARÍA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VERGARA

María Isabel Sánchez Vergara is one of my kid’s favorite authors. I have previously reviewed her excellent book “El Cuadro” and her titles dedicated to Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, and Amelia Earhart.

It was such a great pleasure to interview María Isabel Sánchez Vergara. You will love her answers about writing, living in Barcelona, and her favorite childhood books and memories.

World Kids: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

María Isabel Sánchez Vergara:  ¡Hola! My name is Maria Isabel Sánchez Vergara, and I’m an author and writer. For many years I was a creative director for a big advertising agency and published a couple of books for adults, but then my twin nephews were born, so I started writing children’s books for them. And I realized I wanted to keep doing this for the rest of my life. Besides that, I like yoga, cacti, and dungarees, and I live happily in Barcelona with Dirk, my “Ungerman” german boyfriend.

“Agatha Christie” (Little People, Big Dreams)

“Ada Lovelace” (Little People, Big Dreams)

“Ella Fitzgerald” (Little People, Big Dreams)

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was six and -after my parents had turned off the light in my room- I kept reading stories under the sheets with my flashlight.

What are you writing right now? Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book? 

I’m working on nine new titles for the Little People BIG DREAMS series: Georgia O’Keefe, Anne Frank, Josephine Baker, Harriet Tubman,… And this is a lot of work but great fun! I enjoy choosing the next character with the editors, snooping on her biography, finding the right illustrator, and working alongside them. Writing the book is just a tiny part of a whole teamwork process.

“El Cuadro”

What do you do when you are not writing? 

These last months, I’ve been swamped choosing doors, windows, blinds, sinks, handles, and plugs for our new home. I can’t wait to move in, return to the gym, finally get my driving license, and start taking illustration lessons.

What shops, museums, and restaurants… would you recommend to families visiting your city? 

I’d suggest they visit a very unusual place, halfway between a restaurant, a shop and a museum. It’s called Los Noveles, and it’s in Carmelo, a neighborhood out of the tourism circuit, on a top of a hill. It opens only twice a week and its entrance is hidden at the end of a passage where there is a green-covered terrace. It’s the typical bar with old gentlemen, who you expect to talk about politics and football. But not here. Here they talk -only- about birds. Los Noveles is the headquarter of the “Pajarera del Carmelo Society.” On the walls are hanging lots of cages with birds singing non-stop, and the whole bird environment surrounding you is unique and magical. Also, cheese and anchovies are delicious.

“Harriet Tubman” (Little People, Big Dreams)

Are there any particular authors or books that influenced you growing up? Did you have a favorite book from your childhood? 

When I was a petite girl, I was obsessed with Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet. In their comprehensive book, they took their gnome studies seriously and covered every aspect of gnome life, from marriage to medicines. I was fascinated by the beautiful artwork and its magical knowledge. Then, I grew up and became a big fan of Michael Ende’s work. I read “Grey Gentleman” and “The NeverEnding Story” repeatedly for years. But I also loved Le Petit Nicolas, Charlie, and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda,… basically, anything that fell in my hands.

“Frida Kahlo” (Little People, Big Dreams)

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Sign up for a writing course and ensure you have something to say.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers?

Just thank you very, very much for reading my books. I love getting their pictures and messages through Instagram, and I’m the luckiest writer ever to have them.

Your favorite childhood memory is…

Saturday’s nap with my dad. I didn’t see him much during the week, which was a very special moment for me.

“Marie Curie” (Little People, Big Dreams)

Best trip ever?  

First time I traveled all on my own to New York. It’s incredible how accompanied you are when you travel alone.

“Jane Goodall” 

“David Attenborough”

What book are you currently reading? 

A Mother Teresa biography for one of the upcoming titles of the Little People BIG DREAMS series. I’m more hooked on her story than on Game of Thrones.

“David Bowie”