Maritere R. Bellas - Author and Bilingual Parenting Mentor

litkidsmagazine
Aug 1
3 min read

A Puerto Rican award-winning author, speaker, writer, podcast host, radio segment co-host and bilingual parenting mentor who combined her passion for writing and her devotion to motherhood to create a platform of resources for parents raising bilingual, multilingual, multicultural children long before online resources were available. The author of two parenting books published in English and in Spanish, she is now the author of three bilingual children’s books and passionate about writing stories that highlight her Puerto Rican culture with universal messages that can engage children from all cultures. She raised two bilingual, multicultural children and lives with her Greek American husband in Southern California.

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world to do your work, where would you go?

Spain.

2. What inspires you the most? (For context: what is something that you look at that immediately puts your brain into creative mode?)

Children at play – their energy, their giggles are contagious!

3. If you could pick a single fruit to create a story/artwork/picture around, what would it be?

Guavas.

4. Where do you get your ideas from?

From my childhood in Puerto Rico.

5. Why did you begin writing? Was it because of a person or something else?

I wanted to help families like mine that were looking to raise children with their heritage language and culture. I am writing the stories my children didn’t have when they were growing up.

6. What do you like to do to inspire yourself when you have a block?

I go to the gym, or for a walk and listen to audio books. I love MG and YA stories the best!

7. If you could choose only one thing to do/have to inspire yourself what would it be?

Grandchildren!

8. What did you like to write and read as a kid?

I wrote poems in middle grade. It was fun. Some of them in rhyme.

9. What was your favorite subject in school?

Languages.

10. What’s your favorite genre to write?

Picture books.

11. What inspires you?

My culture.

12. Who is your favorite author?

Oh, so many!! In picture books, Ana Siqueira, Andrew Hacket,

YA, Yamile Saied Mendez, Adult, Isabel Allende.

13. Would you and your main character get along?

Yes, so far, my main character has been based on my late brother and our adventures growing up. We were pals!

14. If you could spend a day with another popular author, who would you choose?

Would have loved to meet Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are. My son’s favorite book growing up.

Robert Munsch would be on my list too. Love You Forever was also a favorite of my kids.

15. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Keep writing. Children need your stories.

16. What are the essential characteristics of a hero you can root for?

Empathetic, compassionate, respectful. Someone that doesn’t compromise their integrity.

17. Do you prefer ebooks, printed books, or audiobooks most of the time?

I love audiobooks! They are the best walking companions.

18. Does anyone in your family read your books?

My grand nephews.

19. If you could invite any three people for dinner, who would you invite?

Reese Witherspoon, Isabel Allende and Roselyn Sanchez

They would make lively conversations!

20. If you had to describe yourself in just three words, what would those be?

Determined, loyal, compassionate.

Thank you for the glimpse into your writing and reading motivations, Maritere! You can find Maritere's children's book, I Have a Secret/Tengo un Secreto, in our Bookshop. Also, please follow her on social media wherever possible. Keep shining!