On this la exquisitez episode of the Popzara Podcast writer, director, and children’s book author Jesús Canchola Sánchez joins our own amigo Nathan Evans to talk about Pepito Has a Doll (Pepito Tiene Una Muñeca), his bilingual debut children’s book, illustrated by Armando Minjárez Monárrez, that tells the story of a young boy who finds comfort playing with his cherished doll Lola and gains the confidence to be who he truly is.
Nathan and Jesus discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion not just in children’s literature, but in all mediums, and how the LGBTQ themes within Pepito are universal in their message of universal love and acceptance.
Jesus also shares his excitement of writing/directing and starring in his feature-film debut (Bittersweet Waters), offers advice on how other budding writers can find ways to turn their dreams of publishing into a reality, and what it’s like joining the surprisingly large and growing number of LGBTQ-themed children’s classics like Lesléa Newman’s “Heather Has Two Mommies” (1989), Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s “And Tango Makes Three” (2005), and especially Charlotte Zolotow’s “William’s Doll” (1972).
