Author, Illustrator, Teacher: Kelsey Dela Cruz
Micronesian Monday Feature
It’s a new month, so that means here on The Husk, I’ll be writing about a new theme. 1
Please, take a guess. At the end of this week, I shall reveal the theme. Subscribe so you don’t miss an issue. 2
This week, I am happy to write about Kelsey Dela Cruz. 3
Kelsey hails from Guam. She is a teacher and a published author six times over.
She’s written and illustrated the following children’s books:
Hafa Este?
Aurora’s Oval Book
Where is Papa?
Hafa Ennao?
Ayuda Si Guella
Eskuelan Andrea
Kelsey said she drew inspiration for her books from her career. “As an early childhood educator, there are particular themes, skills, and messages I would want to get across to my students. Being able to create stories to best fit their needs is what initially inspired me to look into writing and illustrating,” she said.
The first three books, “Hafa Este?,” “Aurora’s Oval Book,” and “Where is Papa?” were published in 2018 after Kelsey’s close friend and colleague alerted her to an opportunity.
Guam Community College and the Department of Public Health and Social Services were looking for early childhood educators like Kelsey to create stories as part of a Child Care Development Fund.
Kelsey’s work incorporates Guam and Chamoru themes. It allows young readers to see themselves and their environment in the words and art they consume.
Her first trifecta of children’s books were published in 2018. Then in 2019, her books “Hafa Ennao?,” “Ayuda Si Guella,” and “Eskeulan Andrea” were printed.
The road from passion to print wasn’t easy.
“All the edits, late nights, work sessions, more edits,” she said. “There were times where I thought ‘Is this even good enough to publish?’”
“But once I held the hardcopies in my hand for the first time, all the second thoughts and stress went away.
Also that ‘new book smell’ smells even better when it’s got your name on it,” Kelsey said.
For her young audience, she hopes her work leads them to enhance their imagination, creativity, and their love for reading.
“I also hope to inspire those who contemplate sharing their own ideas and creativity to do so, whether it be through writing books, illustrating, or storytelling,” she said.
With six titles under her belt, there are no signs of stopping for Kelsey.
“I definitely have plans to publish more books independently in the future. I have a couple of ideas that I would love to share with the rest of the world,” she said.
Kelsey’s books aren’t available for purchase4 because it was part of a project with GCC and DPHSS.
“The books were created for local daycares and preschools on island, so I’m hoping the nenis and teachers are enjoying them,” Kelsey said. 5
Folks who are interested in collaborating or who have publishing opportunities can find Kelsey on Instagram, @kelsdelacruz.
As with all Micronesian Monday Features, I asked Kelsey for some recommendations, this time I specifically asked about authors.
“Since we’re talking about children’s books, my favorite local authors at the moment are Jacqueline Sablan, Frank Candaso Jr., and Gerard Aflague. They’re all so talented and creative,” Kelsey said.
Jacqueline wrote “ I Atfabeton Chamorro” and “Adventures with Wooki ‘Unique Like Me’” and more.
Gerard wrote Good Night Guam, My First Chamorro 200 Picture Word Book, My First Chuukese 200 Picture Word Book, Sleepy Time Philippines and more.
Frank wrote The Sihek and the Thing that was Different, plus he has an activity book and a song featuring his characters.
Thanks, Kels for your time and thank you for creating books for the youth. Keep an eye out for more of Kelsey’s work which I will definitely write about because she is THE BEST.
#PasifikaReadathonChallenge
This month is PIAA—Pacific Islander Asian American—Heritage Month and the baddies of Pasifika bookstagram started a Pasifika Readathon Challenge.
As a Micronesian who spent her formative years reading books JUST so I could get a free pizza, I find this to be empowering and all of a sudden I have a hankering for a four-slice personal pan feast from the P. Hut. Pepperoni, please.
I encourage you to follow the hashtag #PasifikaReadathonChallenge on your social media accounts. You’ll find recommendations in posts with that hashtag plus you can join in on the discussions and the fun. I intend to participate even though I won’t be getting a pizza out of it. (I don’t think so, at least. Pizza Hut? Are you out there? Sponsor this?)
If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, don’t be shy and share it.
Thank you, Kelsey!!! I appreciate your time and your friendship 🤎
Thank you for reading. Write to you again soon.
Cheers,
Jasmine
Which is not to say we won’t revisit the topic of sustainability occasionally. I have a new stackable worm bin in the works as I type this. Do you need worms? I have some to spare. Also, I just wondered what is the point of compostable food containers if you’re not composting them? Will businesses use compostable containers only for consumers to throw them in the trash? Is…that….ok? Hello, Peggy Denny? I need some help.
“The Husk” is a thrice-weekly newsletter about something cool from Guam/Micronesia/Earth, produced by me, Jasmine Stole Weiss, a Micronesian woman buoyed in the Pacific, settler of Guam, former news reporter, freelance writer and casual vermicomposter.
For your information, Kelsey is one of my best friends. We’ve known each other since puberty. She is beautiful and giving and kind and so, so hard-working. Frankly, she’s one of the best people I know. I am glad to know her in this lifetime because when we inevitably die she will reap the benefits of a virtuous earthly tenure and spend eternity in Heaven. For me, post mortem, I can only hope to catch a glimpse of her through the pearly gates on my transit to Down Town.
Can you say: EXCLUSIVE? We stan.
I know for a fact my niece has read them and she loves them.
I hope when the CCDF grant comes around, they continue to include locally-produced books :) And yes, indeed, the first three titles were among B's first books! <3