Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Carlos Aponte!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Carlos Aponte
Carlos Aponte received a Pura Belpré Honor for Across the Bay and wrote and illustrated A Season to Bee. Carlos is a faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.
About the Book: PRECIOUS
The heartwarming story of a boy, all the things he holds dear, and the song that inspires him when he needs it most
Sometimes hearing a song gives you all the courage you need for a day. That’s what happens to Pedrito after a hurricane howls through his neighborhood and he has to give up his rescue dog. The moment his big brother starts strumming “Preciosa,” a beautiful song about his beautiful island, Pedrito knows that somehow everything will be okay. . . .
Pura Belpré Honor winner Carlos Aponte’s love for Puerto Rico shines through his vibrant illustrations and touching story, which show the power of music and community to comfort and give strength.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
In the fall of 2017, while working on my previous book, “Across the Bay,” Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. When I visited the island a few months later, I knew I had to write a story about it, but I needed to see it differently. I also had to tell a balanced story; I needed emotional distance from the disaster. I also have a group of friends who, when they gather for any special celebration, play the piano and sing classic songs from Puerto Rico, so I began thinking about how to incorporate one of the tunes. Inspiration came from many sources. It was like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.
YABC: Is your main character like you?
I believe so, based on my own experiences. In the story, Pedrito finds something and gets attached to it, but he has to let go, a painful reminder that some things are not meant to be. Dreams are another theme in the book. Pedrito has a dream foretelling the future. I believe in dreams; you can benefit from their messages if you are attuned to them.
YABC: How do you know when a book is finished?
I learned that even though you believe it is complete, your agent and publisher will give you insights into the story that you might not have been aware of. It’s a collaborative effort. There are little details you need to pay attention to. “Preciosa” might be a simple story. Still, it contains complex Puerto Rican issues, like the brain drain, the pets lost after the hurricane, older adults who live alone, and, of course, how these affect family relationships.
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Besides illustration I studied filmmaking but never fully realized my dream of making films. Writing and illustrating children’s books is a way for me to tell tales from Puerto Rico. I don’t think myself as a writer; I aim to be a good storyteller.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
Suppose we connect to our childhood memories, the simplicity of communication, and the emotions associated with a kid maneuvering a grown-up world. In that case, we can succeed in a voice that matches the age category.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
I don’t have a favorite scene to write; they’re all equally important. Every scene supports an arc of the story. It’s more like the what is the reason for a scene and if it works. I’ve killed many darlings before I submitted the story to my agent!
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
In “Preciosa,” I think it was the character of Juan, Pedrito’s brother. I wanted him to be the annoying older brother many kids have but also empathetic to his younger sibling and not to take the focus away from Pedrito. He is a very important secondary character, but it’s Pedrito’s story, and through it, he teaches his older brother a few valuable lessons.
YABC: What word do you have trouble overusing?
“Preciosa” is my third book, so I have not encountered that issue yet.
YABC: If your character could meet a character from another book, who would it be?
That would be Carlitos from “Across the Bay.”
YABC: What is your favorite reading space?
If you mean an area to read, that would be inside a small room full of books with a small lamp and a comfortable chair.
YABC: How do you plan to celebrate the launch of your book?
We are working on it. I think there will be multiple launches. But one thing I always do is have a quiet celebration: I go for a walk and thank the universe for such an opportunity and experience. We are all vessels bringing meaning to life.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
For the past few years, I’ve been playing tennis; I love it!
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
My favorite tradition is “Three Kings Day” (El Día de Reyes), a Puerto Rican tradition celebrated on the 6th of January. It’s the day the kids gather grass in a box (preferably a shoe box) and place it under their bed for the Camels on their way to see baby Jesus. The kings thanks the kids by leaving them a gift. It is a magical and beautiful tradition that we still hold.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
What is next for me is another untitled story set in Puerto Rico.
Title: PRECIOUS
Author: Carlos Aponte
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
ISBN-10: 0593856805
ISBN-13: 9780593856802
Genre: Hardcover Picture Book
Age Range: 3-7
