Authors remember their grandparents: Outdoor Markets, My Grandmother and Me by Leyla Torres
Several of author and illustrator Leyla Torres‘ picture books hone in on the relationship between children and their grandparents and we are delighted to welcome her to PaperTigers with some memories of her own grandmother especially. Take a look also at our Gallery featuring Leyla’s work, in which you can see illustrations from Saturday Sancocho, The Kite Festival and Liliana’s Grandmothers (all published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux and available in English and Spanish). Visit Leyla’s website and blog (also, don’t miss out on her amazing origami blogs, old and new…).
Outdoor Markets, My Grandmother and MeMy book Saturday Sancocho was inspired by my love of outdoor markets in Latin America and also as a tribute to my paternal grandparents, whose names were the same as the characters in the book, Ana and Angelino.
As a child, I went with my grandmother to the outdoor market in her town many times. To be honest, at that time I disliked it because of the large amount of time it took her asking for discounts and haggling with vendors under the hot tropical sun.
Despite this, I grew up to love visiting outdoor markets, and I always remember my grandmother with pride and appreciation. She was a very strong-willed country woman who raised nine children and motivated them to study and succeed. Without her vision, none in the family would have explored distant horizons, which have turned out to be rewarding for all.
Leyla Torres
