An Educator’s Guide for Using YOUR MAMA in the Classroom, with author NoNieqa Ramos and #ReadWoke librarian Cicely Lewis! Interview and blog post w/ Jacqueline Alcántara
Watch the interview here! (27 mins) and read the blog post below the cut!
BLOG POST WITH NONIEQA & JACQUELINE
I’m Cicely Lewis, SLJ's 2020 School Librarian of the Year, SLJ columnist, Founder of Read Woke, and co-author of Read Woke titles in the Lerner books series "Issues in Action.”
I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss Your Mama with the author, NoNieqa Ramos and illustrator, Jacqueline Alcántara. NoNieqa Ramos is the author of The Disturbed Girls Dictionary, The Truth Is, and now Your Mama. I love having her books in my library because they epitomize what a Read Woke book is. Ms. Ramos’s books
● Challenge a social norm
● Seek to Challenge the Status Quo
● Give Voice to the Silenced
● Feature protagonist from unrepresented groups
Jacqueline Alcántara is the creative genius behind the beautiful illustrations in the delightful picture book, Your Mama. In addition, you can find her illustrations in her debut picture book, The Field, written by Baptiste Paul and Freedom Soup, which was written by Tami Charles. She loves promoting inclusiveness and diversity in her children’s literature.
In the interview below, Ramos and Alcántara discuss their inspirations, lesson plan ideas, and more.
Cicely: You’ve talked about how you weren’t raised by your mama and how YOUR MAMA was inspired by your single father, tias, your babysitter, and your madrina. What do you say to kids who aren’t being raised by their mamas when they read this book?
NoNieqa: I say you are everything and you are loved. Mamas come in many forms. Sometimes, they are biological and they made you. Sometimes, they are from daddies, grandpas, aunties, neighbors, big sisters, and teachers. Sometimes you meet them the second you take your first breath, and sometimes it takes time to find them.
Cicely: What is your writing process?
My writing process varies a bit with every book. With picture books, I like to play first. I toss around ideas. Dig deep into my own experiences and challenge myself to see things differently. With YOUR MAMA, I thought, what if? What if I could twist the misogynist (but hilarious) Yo’ Mama joke and smash the patriarchy with it? Could I still maintain the humor and the fun? Starting with the words, “Your Mama so sweet.” I thought, I’ve got something special here. I was blessed to have Jacqueline Alcántara illustrate the visual arc shimmering with grace and elegance and sparkling with sass.
With BEAUTY WOKE (February 15th, 2021), https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/beauty-woke/9780358008415 I reflected on the word wokeness and the title Sleeping Beauty. My heart broke thinking about how much I wanted to protect and shield my children against racism and white supremacy, but how that endeavor is impossible. From there I imagined BEAUTY, a young, beloved Boricua child experiencing the devastation of racism for the first time. Beauty falls into a deep sleep of dejection. But I also dreamed what would cause her to wake. Instead of a kiss, the love of her family and community help her rise and embrace her power.
Cicely: As an educator/author what has been your greatest teaching moment?
NoNieqa: I have had so many great teaching moments! One of my greatest aims as an educator is to create a nurturing space where children feel safe to express themselves. When I taught 7th grade in Loudoun County, my students and I spear headed the first Gay Pride month study and celebration. A fire drill occurred and droves of teachers and students headed downstairs to the soccer field to line up. It was glorious looking through the second floor window and seeing the soccer field striped with rainbow colors!
Our best writing and creating comes from being vulnerable and we can’t do that without trust and community. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was doing a writing workshop, and one of the students was clearly struggling. He was completely disengaged. With gentleness and warmth, I gave it everything I had to make him feel like he mattered. We talked about YOUR MAMA and how our caregivers and our “persons” can come in many forms.
At the end of class he slipped me a note. He said he was still looking for his “person.” I told him he needs to keep looking- to keep reaching out- because their person is looking for them too. I am so honored he reached out to me.
Cicely: What would you say to teachers who are scared to have controversial books in their library?
NoNieqa: I have experienced this problem as an educator, and I empathize with teachers in this volatile climate. I would say what is controversial for one family isn’t controversial for another. What one child isn’t ready to read is another child’s rescue. If a family objects to a particular book, then their child doesn’t have to read it. But one parent’s wishes for their child shouldn’t prevent another child from accessing the book that speaks to them and for them.
That being said, I would ask every one to reflect on the word controversial. Is it controversial because it challenges us to examine ourselves, our society, and how we treat each other? Isn’t that what books are for?
To every teacher championing diverse books, I say thank you.
Cicely: Please share an excerpt from your book.
NoNieqa: I’ll share the opening pages!
Cicely: You invited some prominent writers and their children to write up “Yo Mama” statements like the ones in your book. Can you share?
Nonieqa: I’ll share gems from groundbreaking debut author Elisabet Velasquez. Her young adult novel WHEN WE MAKE IT releases September 21st, 2021.
You can check out my IG account for more Yo Mama statements from acclaimed authors Jenny Sanchez (WE ARE NOT FROM HERE), Aida Salazar (LAND of the CRANES), Lilliam Rivera (NEVER LOOK BACK), and more!
https://www.instagram.com/nonieqa.ramos/
Cicely: What are you reading right now?
NoNieqa: In the picture book arena, my son and I are reading the riveting FROM THE TOPS OF TREES by author Kao Kalia Yang and illustrator Rachel Wada. We are also reading the compelling picture book CLASSIFIED: THE SECRET CAREER OF MARY GOLDA ROSS, CHEROKEE AEROSPACE ENGINEER by Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan.
Cicely: Thank you, NoNieqa! Jackie, when did you create your first work of art?
Jackie: Ha! I have a really cute framed sketch of a doodle I did when I was 3 years old. My mom titled it, “A man with a balloon”. I don’t know if I meant to draw that, or it was her interpretation but it’s just adorable wither way and I always have it on my desk.
Cicely: If a child told you they wanted to be an illustrator when they grew up, what advice would you give them?
Jackie: Do it! And while its great to be inspired by other artists, don’t ever compare your artwork with anyone else. Illustration invites all styles and interpretations.
Cicely: Tell us about the medium you used to create the art for YOUR MAMA.
Jackie: Well I start most pieces traditionally - with marker. Then I scan that in and continue adding digitally. For Your Mama, I used Procreate - I like the look of combining traditional and digital mediums together - getting the best of both worlds. I created all the backgrounds with pastels and scanned those in as well. I then collage everything together using Photoshop. It’s not the fastest process but I enjoy it!
Cicely: What message do you hope to convey to readers?
Jackie: I want moms and kids to feel a sense of pride. Taking a few minutes to reflect on all that moms do for us. And their never ending optimism, forgiveness and strength.
Cicely: How was collaborating with NoNieqa on the book?
It was such a joy to illustrate these words. There is so much energy, playfulness and compassion in her text. And SO much more to expand on in the pictures. I think I realize how important it is to have an interesting relationship between the characters - because that’s how we as readers connect to the story. So I loved thinking about the relationship between this mom and child and figuring out how to show that admiration and love that was present in the manuscript.
Cicely: Which illustrators have inspired you on your journey as an artist?
Jackie: Oh wow, well some favs are Kadir Nelson, Chris Raschka, Shaun Tan, Rafael Lopez, Patricia Pollaco, Hebru Brantley, Kerry James Marshall, Jamie Hewlett to name a few!
Cicely: What are some ways Your Mama, particularly the illustrations, can be used in the classroom?
It’s a fantastic way to blend a poetry project with an illustration project. Just the way NoNieqa twisted the Your Mama jokes, students can do the same! And then twist up your illustration by adding in a tattoo style banner to blend the poetry into the illustration! Wa - la, a gorgeous piece of art!
Cicely: Thank you so much for chatting with me Jackie and NoNieqa!
You can support your favorite indie and order their book Your Mama at Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=nonieqa+ramos. Please be sure and review them on Goodreads!
Follow Jackie on Twitter at https://twitter.com/_jacqueline_ill.
Follow NoNieqa at https://twitter.com/NoNieqaRamos.
Check out NoNieqa’s website www.nonieqaramos.com for a free downloadable educator activity guide.
