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Meet Alma Flor Ada

Alma Flor Ada

Alma Flor Ada is the award-winning author of more than 200 books for children. She is also a poet, storyteller, educator, mother, and grandmother. With a Ph.D. in literature and a lifelong love for stories, Ada has mastered the art of retelling traditional folktales and nursery rhymes from across Latin America. A native of Cuba who has also lived in Spain, Peru, and the United States, Alma Flor Ada writes poetry, picture books, and novels that offer rich, multicultural perspectives for all children.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online or to download it. You can also read the interview transcript or a short biography of Alma Flor Ada, or see a selected list of her children's books.

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  • A blessed childhood (2:13)

    In this video clip, Alma Flor Ada recalls the magical ways that family members introduced her to songs, stories, and words.

  • From Cuba to Colorado (1:23)

    At the age of 17, Alma Flor found herself teaching classes to older university students in the United States.

  • An organic process (1:46)

    Although she has written more than 200 books, Alma Flor Ada never set out to become an author.

  • The Golden Coin (1:19)

    Ada recalls how the story for this award-winning book came to her one night as she was driving home through the fields.

  • A bilingual author (1:26)

    Alma Flor Ada explains how her writing changes depending on which language she uses.

  • A source of unity (1:22)

    Ada retells folktales and nursery rhymes that unite generations of people from all across the Spanish-speaking world.

  • Family wisdom (2:42)

    In addition to writing children's books, Alma Flor Ada has developed ways to build connections between Spanish-speaking families and classrooms.