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The Miami Book Fair is set for Nov. 17-24 with the hugely popular street fair scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 23-24 on the grounds of the Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus in Downtown.
The book fair draws book lovers to see authors from every genre, from non-fiction to fantasy. Some of the best children’s book authors will speak, including Susan Rose and Silvia Lopez, two authors based in Miami, who teamed to write a bilingual series starting with Jose and El Perro followed by Jose and Feliz Play Futbol.
The first book is the story of how Jose adopted his dog, Feliz, and taught him his commands in Spanish. The second book, being featured at the book fair, is the story of Jose joining a soccer team and how Feliz helped him play the game.
“I had a dog that loved to play soccer. He would dribble the ball and move with his nose and head. He particularly loved to take a ball and move,” Rose said.
She said the series came about when she wanted to find a way to have an introduction to Spanish for English speaking kids.
“It was fun to have to reader to learn Spanish along with the dog,” she said.
This led to the first book, where Jose adopts Feliz.
“He’s a shelter dog; he doesn’t understand Spanish,” Lopez said.
Rose said she used to leave her dog with her Guatemalan housekeeper who would talk to him in Spanish.
“I joked he would be bilingual,” Rose said.
Rose looked for someone who could help her write the books. She contacted another local children’s book author, Laurie Friedman, who put her in touch with Lopez, who has numerous books published in both English and Spanish.
The first book was named a New York Public Library Best Books for 2023. The second one has received terrific reviews and a third recently sold to Penguin Workshop.
In the second book, the conflict comes from when Jose takes Feliz to soccer practice and the dog wants to play the game. Jose worries the dog will do that in the game.
Rose has a background in theater and film. Lopez was a school librarian for 30 years and a successful author. They enjoy collaborating on books.
“We go back and forth a lot. Until we are happy with what we have,” Rose said.
They started working on the series in late 2021. Lopez said it usually takes about a year to finish each book, but one of the upcoming books came together much faster.
Rose and Lopez will be reading the books aloud in the Children’s Alley on Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in Stanza’s Story Wagon.
There are quite a few kidlit stars coming to the book fair, including Cynthia Leitich Smith, who is up for the 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the winners of the National Book Awards.
Marci Cancio-Bello, program manager for the book fair said there will be a wide range of books from picture books to young adult featured at this year’s event. Authors will appear on panels and participate in books signings.
“We average about 40 kids’ authors,” she said.
She said they are activating more ground in the Children’s Alley so it will be even bigger and better. And there will be more live music.
“We have great middle grade novel series,” she said.
The middle grade authors include Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers series). The Dork
Diaries, and the Amari series by B.B. Alston.
There will be something for every reader.
For more information and a schedule of events, go to miamibookfair.com.
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