I AM LATINX

There is so much beauty in the world and so much to learn and do. But perhaps the most incredible, undisturbed beauty that exists is the one inside each person's heart and soul; the beauty that makes us who we are naturally and culturally.

I AM LATINX takes children on an adventure through the experiences of seven-year-old Scarlett into the Latinx community and culture with the intention of clarifying misconceptions and sharing useful information along the way about food, music, celebrations and the value of embracing one's identity with pride. I Am Latinx opens the doors to meaningful conversations with young children regarding the beauty in the Latinx culture. What will Scarlett learn? How will she feel about her Latinx community at the end of her journey? Will all her questions be answered? Will she know what it means to be Latinx? Will she understand the value of family in the Latinx community?

Maria Alondra Jasso is a founder and co-director of Little Wildflowers Preschool which proudly provides a dual-language, Spanish–English program. Little Wildflowers Preschool is located in Sonoma County, California, and has been open since 2019. Maria graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2009 with honors where she obtained her associate degree in early childhood education. She has been teaching for over fifteen years. Maria served as co-chair of the Hispanic Chamber Young Professionals of Sonoma County between 2016 and 2018. Most recently, Maria was honored by being named one of forty under forty young professionals for 2019 by North Bay Business Journal. Maria is humbled to open the doors to Little Wildflowers Preschool during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a strong advocate for lifelong teaching and learning and looks forward to working in her community to serve the future leaders of the world. Maria hopes this book opens the doors to meaningful conversations with our young children regarding the beauty of the Latinx culture. Maria is the proud mother of Scarlett Banuelos Jasso who is the true inspiration for I Am Latinx. Both mother and daughter have devoted endless amount of love and dedication to this book. By writing this book, "I hope my daughter and other girls and women in the Latin community learn that we have no limits to what we can accomplish as strong Latinx women."