Hello!

I didn’t expect that five months after my previous newsletter, we would still find ourselves in the middle of this pandemic, with no end in sight. COVID has been tough on all of us, but it has been way tougher on those who have lost jobs, homes, and loved ones. I hope you have found a way to cope with everything that is going on and have been physically and mentally healthy.

My days continue to have ups and downs, but I have been lucky to find myself extra busy these last few months–I have some pretty important professional and personal news to share with you… Let’s start with some book news!

#BOOKBIRTHDAY

Happy Book Birthday to Lia & Luís: Who Has More?!!!

Lia & Luís: Who Has More? is illustrated by Giovana Medeiros, published by Charlesbridge, and available in both hardcover and paperback everywhere books are sold.

I feel like I have posted so much about the book already that you probably know all there’s to know about it, but I couldn’t let this special day go by without celebrating it! So, today, I am introducing you to the characters...

As you know, Lia & Luís: Who Has More? focuses on an argument between Lia and Luís about who has more snacks. Luís insists he's got more snacks than Lia. But Lia thinks he is wrong. Is a bag of biscoito de polvilho really more than a pair of coxinhas de galinha? How can she prove it?

The book is part of the new Storytelling Math series, which celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. The series provides joyful stories and hands-on activities to make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together.

Watch this brand new video to find out how the story came about:

I still need to record the video teaching kids (and adults) how to pronounce the Portuguese words in the book–online school has made it a little challenging to find the time for everything I need to do–but there are some other resources already available:

• Marlene Kliman, a TERC Senior Scientist and the math specialist behind the series, put together this downloadable free activity.
• Also, part of the Storytelling Math team participated in this School Library Journal Webcast, now available on demand. 
• And you can visit my website for upcoming events. (There’s one coming up on October 15th!)

#ANEWCITIZEN

Now to some pretty important personal news:

I am an American citizen! The naturalization ceremony wasn’t exactly what one would have expected–it took place in a parking lot due to COVID–but it was extra special, nonetheless. The magistrate who presided the ceremony made us all feel welcome. You can read more about it on this Twitter thread.

Unfortunately, since the tweet, I learned that I will probably not be able to vote on November 3rd, but I am still trying to get all the documents I need in time to register. I should find out on Friday.

#MORENEWSCOMINGSOON

There are some professional news coming soon! For now, what I can tell you is that I attended and successfully completed the Denver Publishing Institute this summer. It was one month of a whole lot of work and a whole lot of learning–truly an incredible experience. And I can hardly wait to share with you what is coming next.