


Welcome to my author website, which features my bilingual children's books,
“BRAVE LOLIS LEARNS ENGLISH - LA VALIENTE LOLIS APRENDE INGLÉS” and
"BRAVE LOLIS’S BOX OF HOPE – LA VALIENTE LOLIS Y SU CAJA DE ESPERANZA”.
Please let me know if you have any ideas for improving this website or making it easier to navigate.
I look forward to crossing paths with you. Thank you for visiting!
Following the links above, you can easily navigate to Robert's and my biographies, testimonials, interviews, educational partners, exhibitions, awards, book descriptions, and the reasons these books were written. You can also see the Resources page for extended learning activities and the Contact page for author workshops.
In this article, I delve into the journey and inspiration behind my book, "Brave Lolis Learns English." Explore the experiences, challenges, and heartfelt moments that shaped the story. From the initial spark to the final draft, learn about the creative process and the passion that brought this book to life. I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a deeper appreciation of the narrative and the dedication involved in its creation.
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Reviews and Testimonials

“Brave Lolis Learns English” is a most powerful story. It provides a warm-hearted model of how the relationship between a mother and daughter helps Lolis gain self-confidence.
Lolis learns to think positively and to face challenges. Every scene is real. Lolis comes alive with her art and voice. Every scene is beautifully real with the illustrations by Robert Blancas. We learn with Lolis, too! Every bilingual student, family, and teacher will treasure this book. Armida Espinoza has given us this treasure. I am waiting for the “Lolis Series.”
Juan Felipe Herrera, Author, American 21st U.S. Poet Laureate 2015-17 Poet Laureate of California 2012-2015

“Brave Lolis Learns English deeply reflects the experience of many non-English speaking children thrown into the pyre of American schools, each child having to navigate their strategy for survival. Lolis' strategy was invisibility and non-detection,
which was largely successful but also debilitating. It undermined her self-confidence and intrinsic worthiness. Luckily Lolis had support from her family and her peers. She would be successful in her own right, nevertheless.”
Juan C. Garcia, PhD, MS, Marriage & Family Therapist, Integral Community Solutions Institute

"Brave Lolis Learns English"
Edwin's teacher shared: “With tears in his eyes, Edwin said, ‘Lolis is just like me.’”
Hector Ramos (Teacher), Edwin Miguel (Student), Age 7

“Brave Lolis’s Box of Hope is the inspiring follow-up story of Lolis learning and growing in strides as she discovers how she can help the children of Puerto Rico in the wake of a hurricane. Adults can learn from Lolis’s example of understanding and empathy. Even
the youngest among us can be a power for the greater good, and Lolis finds out how her one box of hope can turn into a plane full of help.”
Aideed Medina, Poet

“Brave Lolis’s Box of Hope teaches you a great life lesson. It shows why it’s nice to help people in need and even though bad things happen it is good to have hope. This book can make the readers feel like they can also help others.”