The new book by the Mexican-American author Naibe Reynoso includes the profiles of figures such as Carlos Santana, Óscar de la Renta and Julián Castro
Naibe Reynoso did not sit idly by when Donald Trump, during his campaign for the presidency, branded Mexican immigrants as drug dealers and rapists. As the mother of a 7-year-old boy, she did not want her son to be ashamed or renege on his Hispanic heritage.
So Reynoso, a journalist born in Los Angeles with more than 20 years of experience in local, cultural and entertainment issues, began to review the names of male figures who have made history in this country. Of the many he found, he chose eleven, whose lives he outlines in “Fearless Trailblazers, 11 Latinos who made US. History ”, an illustrated children's book written in English and Spanish that went on sale Tuesday.
"I did it in response to the negative things Donald Trump was saying about Latinos," said Reynoso. "I am very proud of my [Mexican] roots, and I want my son to be proud of that side of him, too."
The list includes names such as the musician Carlos Santana, the astronaut José Hernández, the activist César Chávez, the fashion designer Óscar de la Renta and the politician Julián Castro. All of them have left an important mark on the history of the United States, and their contributions, in each one of their areas, changed the course of life for this nation.
"I think Latinos generally need to see examples of men who had an impact in the United States," he said. "That is why I wanted there to be diverse examples, not only of Mexicans."
This volume is a sequel to Be Bold! Be Brave !, the work with which Reynoso premiered as the author of children's books and in which she highlights eleven women who have made history in the United States with their contributions.
Both books are the result of the author's need to tell positive stories about her community due to the current political climate in the country. But since she was not willing to wait for a publishing house to approve her projects, she decided to found her own company, Con Todo Press, and edit her own books.
And it is that he considers that as most publishing companies are led by Anglo-Saxons, it would have been very difficult for them to understand a book whose sole purpose is to "emphasize the good things in my community".
Another motivation for this text was knowing that there is a big gap in the children's book market regarding Hispanic issues. According to data that Reynoso has, only 5 percent of children's books published in the country have Latinos as main characters.
And since it is a book that in addition to entertaining is a learning tool, Forbes magazine highlighted in its recent edition the efforts that the Reynoso company and two other publishing houses are doing to help parents educate their children during these times of crisis by the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Reynoso already has at least two more books in the oven, which of course, he said, will continue to highlight how good his community has given this country.
Fearless Trailblazers, 11 Latinos who made US History ”is available at contodopress.com, and starting April 20 on Amazon. It is recommended for children from 5 to 9 years old.
