BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we interviewed Fatima Pimienta about her writing and her recently released bilingual children’s picture book Little Curiosity, a charming, clever, and feel-good book for curious minds. (Read the review here.)

What were your inspirations to write Little Caterpillar, and how did you approach the process?

I’ve always known that life is about change and growth, and that begins with introspection. As children we learn about metamorphosis; as we grow we begin to realize how complicated it is. The message of this book is that things aren’t always what they seem – there is always more to what is in front of you. 

The metaphor was the start. Making it a children’s book seemed like a very universal language to approach it through. 

Did you always know you wanted to write children’s books, or did the inspiration strike you by surprise?

The dedication page of the book reads “For Cordelia.” This project was initially a Christmas present for my niece, Cordelia. We live in separate cities and this gift was a connection. Her mother loved the book, as did my mom, and the manuscript started floating around in our community. People connected with it and I realized I wanted to share that. 

The bilingual aspect of Little Caterpillar definitely sets it apart from other children’s books. Why did you decide to write a bilingual book?

I had originally gifted my niece two versions of the book, each translation separately. There were even coloring book-style print sheets she had access to. When it came time to decide to publish Little Curiosity/Curiosita, it seemed natural to make it as heart-connected as possible. We are from a bilingual culture. We would sit down with the book and my mom would read in Spanish and I would read in English, then another nephew would show off that he could read both. It seemed like such a magical aspect of the book. To reiterate from the last question, something told me more people would connect with that and I really wanted to share it. I’d love to see how the bilingual nature of the book resonates with other children and families. 

Do you think kids can learn a lot by being exposed to new languages and cultures early on in their lives?

ABSOLUTELY! You know that saying, “No man is an island”? I think that applies to communities, cultures, language – we are all connected. Inspiration can be seen globally, from music to food to fashion. Broadening that perspective nurtures the very curiosity that brings forth growth and challenges us. 

Horizons don’t need to be widened, they are infinite. It’s just a matter of perception. 

Do you have kids in your life who you’ve been able to introduce Little Caterpillar to? If so, we’d love to hear about their reactions!

Living in San Diego and having grown up in Mexicali/the Imperial Valley, a lot of us are naturally bicultural. We carry pesos and dollars, speak both languages fluently, cross the border on a daily basis – it’s a beautiful phenomenon. Naturally the book fit so smoothly into that demographic. 

A truly delightful surprise was from the other ends of the spectrum, people being introduced into a new language, or exploring a new side of themselves, or exposing their children to something they didn’t have the opportunity or access to in the past.

Little Curiosity/Curiosita been celebrated across the board and I could not be more grateful for that.

The growth from black-and-white illustrations into full-color illustrations in Little Caterpillar makes for a gorgeous experience. What was the process of collaborating with the artist for this book like?

The illustrator provided a blank canvas when I approached them with the manuscript. The original pictures are essentially designed as a color-book model. I did the coloring myself IN CRAYON and had a great friend turn the images digital. 

This gradual change was always the plan for the story, as we get to go through that journey with Curiosita. It adds to how we perceive what it means to challenge what we think we know. 

I’m honestly so glad that this element of the story is seen and appreciated. From the other artists to publisher to the editor and the audience, it is truly understood in its worth. I smile so wide. 

What’s next for you?

For now, focusing on promoting and spreading around the joy of this book. I am learning so much about marketing, social media, PR…this project has grown in its own caterpillar-to-butterfly way and I just am here to fly with it. Let’s see how far we can go 🙂

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