Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Vera Ahiyya!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Vera Ahiyya
VERA AHIYYA was raised in El Paso, Texas with her wonderful mother and amazing grandparents. Vera has taught Kindergarten and first grade for the last 16 years. Her online presence is dedicated to influencing other educators by spreading her vast knowledge and love of inclusive children’s books. She is the author of Rebellious Read Alouds, a professional development book for educators. She is also the author of two picture books, You Have a Voice and KINDergarten.
Website * Instagram * Facebook
About the Book: GETTING READY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
Get Ready for Valentine’s Day in this exciting new series for kids who love new experiences and holiday fun! Vera Ahiyya, the Tutu Teacher, knows everything your family needs to get ready… and to celebrate every precious moment!
It’s time to get ready for Valentine’s Day! Kai’s whole class is busily preparing by making friendship cards, decorating homemade mailboxes, and sharing delicious sweets and treats! But Kai and their friends can’t help but worry… what if they don’t receive any cards at alll? Luckily, their teacher will help the whole class learn the true meaning of friendship!
This edition includes an adorable punch-out sign for Valentine’s Day photo opps!
~Author Chat~
YABC: Which came first, the title or the book?
For this book, the title came first, which was incredibly helpful because it allowed me to know exactly what I needed to write about!
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I didn’t go to school to be a writer, and I find that writing doesn’t come easy to me. For that reason, I must set aside specific times to write. I also make sure I learn as much about the writing process as possible by taking online classes and developing relationships with other authors. But the most important thing I’ve learned, is to just write the story. You’ve got to get the story out, whatever it takes.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
Getting Ready for Valentine’s Day has such a fun and bright cover. But one of my favorite details is the little girl with a limb difference. During my last few years of sharing diverse and inclusive stories on social media, I have had many requests for books that feature characters with a limb difference. When I had the opportunity to collaborate with the amazing Debby Rahmalia, our illustrator, I expressed the desire to see a child with a limb difference in our story.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2025?
2025 is going to bring so many amazing titles but here are a few that I am super excited to read:
- Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins―The First Lady of Children’s Music by Traci Todd and Eleanor Davis
- All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
- The ABCs of Women’s History by Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer
- I Am the Spirit of Justice by Jemar Tisby, Malcom Newsome, and Nadia Fisher
- Oshún and Me: A Story of Love and Braids by Adiba Nelson and Alleanna Harris
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I really love I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff and Julie Kwon. I loved the illustrations and the fact that the entire story is told through written letters. As a teacher, I know first-hand the dynamics of working through an appropriate apology with a student. I think there’s a bit of finessing that must happen on the teacher’s part to help the student really own their part in the apology and also help process what led up to the behavior that resulted in the need for an apology. This story illustrates this dynamic so wonderfully.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I have so many ideas I’d love to see brought to life in the near future. One specifically, is the continuation of my Rebellious Read Alouds work. I wrote that book as a “love letter” to educators, arming them with ways to engage young people in important, necessary conversations, all with the help of a picture book. Rebellious Read Alouds debuted about two years ago, and while the books featured in RRA have been published in the last 5 years or so, there are now so many other picture books I’d like to use to help engage in even more conversations. So right now, I’m building a stack of potential picture books to be used in a potential RRA part 2.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
The books in this series are created to help young people (and their families) process the newness of school related events. We wanted to help demystify some of the “typical” events and activities that happen at school, so young people could feel prepared to engage in the best way possible. The first two books in the series focused on the first day of Preschool and Kindergarten, and the latest book highlights the fun of Valentine’s Day in an early childhood classroom. I really want readers to remember that no matter how they show up to school, they are ready, just as they are!
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
My husband and I donate regularly to Point of Pride. This organization works to provide assistance to individuals who need access to services or surgeries for gender affirming care.
Additionally, I regularly support the work of We Need Diverse Books. This organization works to “diversify the publishing industry” and ensure access to diverse and inclusive books to students all around the country.
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a hardcover copy of GETTING READY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY (Vera Ahiyya) ~US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
