SAN FRANCISCO, CA – July 21, 2016 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – Independent educational publishing firm Gracefully Global Group announces the national release of a unique contribution to children’s literature and the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement. Inspired by the military aviation service of a Mexican-American officer, Captain Mama’s Surprise/ La Sorpresa de Capitán Mamá (ISBN: 978-0-9973090-0-3) by Air Force veteran Graciela Tiscareño-Sato, is now orderable through book wholesalers, distributors and retail channels. The title was just named a finalist in the “Most Inspirational Children’s Picture Book” category for the upcoming 2016 International Latino Book Awards (September 8th at Cal State – Dominguez Hills.)
“The author and veteran has crafted a story that blends military aviation, engineering, and career opportunities while on a classroom field trip; Captain Mama inspires students of different ethnicities, both genders and English language learners to pursue careers in aviation,” said Karla Orosco, Science Teacher at the elementary school at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.
In the series debut, a young boy named Marco learns why his mother wears a military flight suit with embroidered patches and why she serves. In this second book, Marco leads his second-grade class on a field trip to the jet where his Captain Mama works. The story takes readers through fascinating parts of the plane as they learn basic aviation vocabulary, in English and Spanish. Uniquely, a glossary and a glosario of new words are included. This literature is perfect supplemental reading for K-3rd grade –level curriculum and celebrations during Hispanic Heritage Month, Veterans Day and Women’s History Month. Interior illustrations and cover art are available here.
Ms. Tiscareño-Sato served in the Air Force as a navigator and instructor on the KC-135 and earned an Air Medal for combat missions over Iraq. Teaching children about airplanes and other careers available to college graduates, in her first language of Spanish and in English, has been an ongoing mission for the author, a popular keynote speaker at both teacher conferences and events for veterans.
“Much of what’s published today for children in English and Spanish is limited to themes of food, animals or historical figures, most of them dead,” said Ms. Tiscareño-Sato. “This unique series instead expands young minds and encourages exploration of technical careers. It sparks conversations around gender equity, smashes stereotypes and creates globally-curious citizens, in two languages. I’ve been actively role modeling for over two decades with my unusual daughter-of-immigrants-turned-aviator story. Now, through bilingual presentations at schools, libraries and conferences, I’m grateful to be reaching many more children, their parents and their educators to help raise educational expectations of English Language Learners.” [See awards won by the author (including a White House honor) and the Captain Mama series debut here.]
For librarians and consumers who prefer hardcover books over paperbacks, the publisher is making both Captain Mama books available in hardcover format. Captain Mama’s Surprise/ La Sorpresa de Capitán Mamá (ISBN hardcover: 978-0-9973090-3-4) and Good Night Captain Mama/Buenas Noches Capitán Mamá (ISBN hardcover: 978-0-9973090-4-1) are both available via wholesaler Ingram and trade distributor Mackin.
See author’s military biography here. Photos of author reading to elementary school children are here. Author video introducing both titles here. Video of author reading the first title in Spanish is here. Author-signed books with patches are available only from the publisher here. Photos of discounted Teacher Packs (bundled books and patches) are here.
About Gracefully Global Group LLC
Gracefully Global Group LLC is the premiere independent publisher of positive media images and case studies from the Latino community in book, eBook and live presentation formats. The company is certified by the Small Business Administration as an 8a firm and as a Woman-Owned Small Business. The firm’s first book in the Latinnovating (978-0-9834760-0-9) series received three honors at the International Latino Book Awards in New York City when it debuted, for its unique focus on showcasing Latino-led innovation and entrepreneurship in the green economy. Using educational literature, the firm helps organizations and corporations with diversity and inclusion initiatives reaching out to veteran and Latino communities with a creative blend of literature, multicultural marketing and public speaking offerings. Its mission is to “create literature that showcases the positive contributions of Latino Americans in the USA.” www.gracefullyglobal.com.
