“I AM LA CHIVA!” has been selected as
July Best of the Month by Amazon Books!
★ “Climb aboard for a trip you won’t forget! A delightful journey; readers will be eager for repeat trips.”
★ “An exuberant debut…Crisp rhymes in English and Spanish offer the feel of a bus bustling with animals and people.”
★ “If Little Blue Truck got more vibrant color and headed for South America, it might look and sound a bit like this charming debut picture book.
Hola and welcome to the home of
“I Am La Chiva!”
Order your copy today!
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“¡Me Llamo La Chiva!” has entered the scene :)
Masterfully translated in Spanish verse, this book is sure to make an excellent classroom, living room, and library addition.
Order your copy today!
Connect with me:
“This beautifully designed and illustrated story is narrated by a bus that traverses the Colombian
Andes region … The personification of the bus adds the perfect touch of fun and whimsy, coupled with the Mary Blair–like paintings lovingly created by Gómez … This picture book is a great
read-along and even contains a short glossary in the back. This book has been translated into Spanish
and adapted in rhyme, making it a delight in both languages, seeing as all the book’s creators
are Colombian.” – Booklist Review
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
It all started with a photo.
During the long days of the pandemic lockdown, I became an amateur photographer with three perfect muses whose favorite word was: mom.
One afternoon, I photographed a table my dad had made and placed a ceramic chiva bus for contrast. My then three-year-old son, Elliott, joined me and asked if he could play with my little school bus.
School bus? ¡Ay, Dios mío! I zipped to Google, searching for a book that would help me educate my child, and to my surprise, there was nothing for his age. And so, I started one of the most exciting chapters of my life: writing my first children’s book manuscript.
WHAT IS A CHIVA BUS?
Learn more about La Chiva
The colorful bus of The Andes is an iconic representative of Colombian culture worldwide. Its rich history dates back to the early 1900s and more than one hundred years later, these gaily buses still play an active role in the mountains and tourist centers of Colombia.
MY INSPIRATION
These are my three little muses. Three little people who love arepas con chocolate, and know Colombia is a magical land. They are the reason I write, take pictures, and dream big dreams.
Karolita 