Academia as Literary Agent

              I am pleased to announce that I recently signed with Academia Cultural to represent me as my literary agent with the goal of publishing my dual language children’s book. Academia Cultural works with some spectacular authors, illustrators and musicians that are passionate about developing multicultural and linguistically authentic art and literary programs for children. Company Founder, Luis Orozco, Jr has extensive experience in bilingual children's media.

              This started a few weeks ago when I attended Yuyi Morales book signing in Miami, FL. She is the author/illustrator of Viva Frida (McMillan Publishers) that received a Caldecott Honor. I had my three year old son with me who was a bit impatient sitting through the presentation, so we had to step out in the middle of the event to buy a cookie. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to talk to her afterward and she signed a book for my son, she is an incredibly talented artist. While at the event I also met Luis Orozco, Jr and showed him some of my work. We had a tough time talking with my three year old son vying for my attention. I reached out to Luis after the event and we secured a collaboration to have Academia Cultural represent me as my literary agent. My son was the inspiration behind the book I wrote; so I’m glad he was by my side, tugging at my shirt and calling my name, when I secured this step in my illustration career. 

www.academiacultural.com

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”- Paulo Coelho

Importance of diversity in children's books



             As the Director of an early childhood center and the father of a three year old boy, I’ve come to appreciate the first five years of a child's life as critical in laying down the foundation for future health and happiness. A child’s relationships, experiences and environment are central in shaping their view of the world. Picture books help shape that view. Books teach children lessons about life, compassion and how to understand the world. With all the intolerance circulating in our country, children’s books are more important than ever to help break the cycle of fear. Unfortunately, there is a huge diversity gap in children’s publishing. Although 37% of the US population are people of color, only 10% of children’s books published in the past 21 years depict multicultural content. I want my son to be able to identify with the characters in the books he reads and I want him exposed to books that reflect the diversity of our society. When children see diversity in cultures and people in the books they read they can break free of the ignorance, prejudices and stereotypes that blind so many.  

Angel M. Alvarez- Spot Illustration for SCBWI Member newsletter

Giraffe Baseball Pitcher Illustration

I love baseball and drawing animals. So here is a mashup of an unlikely giraffe pitching machine. I love developing these characters. This illustration was painted in acrylics with some color pencil details.

Angel Miguel Alvarez- Giraffe Baseball Pitcher Illustration