Lucia M. Gonzalez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucia M Gonzalez
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| Born | Lucia Martinez 13 December 1957 Caimito, Cuba, Cuba1 |
| Occupation | Author, Librarian, Storyteller, Puppeteer. |
| Genre | Storytelling, Folklore, Fun, Historical Fiction, Latino Children's Literature |
Lucia M. Gonzalez is a well-known children's author and a librarian. She is famous for her amazing stories and for helping kids discover the joy of reading. In 2020, she became the president of the Association for Library Service to Children. This is a big group that helps libraries serve kids better. She also led REFORMA from 2010 to 2011, which supports library services for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities.
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About Lucia M. Gonzalez
Lucia M. Gonzalez was born in a place called Caimito del Guayabal, Cuba. When she was 12 years old, in 1970, she moved to the United States with her family. Since then, she has lived in different places like Florida, California, Spain, and Venezuela.
Her Education Journey
Lucia went to North Miami Senior High and finished in 1976. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts in History, from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1983. Later, in 1991, she got her Master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida Tampa Bay. This degree helped her become a librarian.
Her Work and Books
Lucia M. Gonzalez is a talented storyteller, a puppeteer, and a children's librarian. She started working in libraries for kids in 1987. While she was studying for her Master's degree, she began her career helping young readers.
She has written several popular bilingual books. These books are written in both English and Spanish.
- The Bossy Gallito is one of her famous books. It won an honor medal from the Pura Belpré Award. This award celebrates books by Latino authors and illustrators. The New York Public Library also named it one of the "100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know."
- Another book, Señor Cat's Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America, was recognized by the Americas Award.
- Her book, The Storyteller's Candle, is a bilingual picture book. It was illustrated by Lulu Delacre. This book also won a Pura Belpré Children’s Literature Honor Medal in 2008.
Working in Libraries
Lucia has held many important jobs in libraries, helping kids and families.
- She was the Library Director at the North Miami Public Library from 2011 to 2023.
- She also worked as an Associate Director for Programming, Youth Services, and Family Literacy at Broward County Library.
- She managed the Children’s Department at the West Kendall Regional Library.
- She was a Children’s Outreach Librarian, bringing stories to kids outside the library.
Groups She Belongs To
Lucia is part of many important groups that help libraries and promote reading.
- American Library Association (ALA): This is the biggest library group in the world.
- Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC): This group focuses on library services for children.
- REFORMA: This group works to improve library services for Latino and Spanish-speaking people.
- Florida Library Association (FLA): This is the main library group in Florida.
Giving Presentations
Lucia often shares her knowledge and stories at different events.
- She spoke at the University of South Florida in 2021 about how REFORMA is changing librarianship.
- She has given many presentations at ALA Annual Conferences. She talked about Latino children’s literature, bilingual books, and storytelling.
- She also performed storytelling at the ContArte Festival of the Word in Cuba in 2003.
- She has presented at the Miami Book Fair International several times, sharing her books with students.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Lucia M. Gonzalez has received many awards for her work.
- In 2024, a children's playground was named "Lucia Martinez Gonzalez Tot Lot" in North Miami. It's next to the North Miami Public Library where she used to be the director.
- She received the Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
- She was the President of the Association of Library Service to Children from 2021 to 2022.
- In 2008, she won the Pura Belpré Children’s Literature Honor Medal for The Storyteller's Candle.
- In 1996, she received the Pura Belpré Children’s Literature Honor Medal for The Bossy Gallito.
- The University of South Florida recognized her as their "Outstanding Graduate" in 1998.
