{"id":12322,"date":"2025-09-17T16:10:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=12322"},"modified":"2025-09-17T16:10:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:10:08","slug":"local-childrens-author-christina-trevino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/17\/local-childrens-author-christina-trevino\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Children’s Author Christina Trevi\u00f1o"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>My name is Christina Trevi\u00f1o, and I am a children’s author from rural Defiance, Ohio, a town
\ndefined by a mix of heavy industry and agriculture throughout the 1970s and 1980\u2019s. My dream
\nfrom the time I was four years old was to be in the fashion industry and that\u2019s exactly where my
\npath led.
\nAfter graduating with a BA specializing in Fashion Design from Bowling Green State University
\nand an Associate\u2019s Degree in Sportwear Fashion Design from New York City\u2019s Fashion Institute
\nof Technology, I permanently moved to New York. For three decades, I was immersed in the
\nfast-paced world of New York City fashion. As an Executive Design Director, I held a pivotal,
\nhigh-powered role, shaping brand identities and leading design direction for major retailers. I
\nalso had the incredible opportunity to collaborate on and launch fashion brands with notable
\ncelebrities like Brooke Shields, Wendy Williams, Nicki Minaj, and Adam Levine. Eventually, I
\nlaunched my own successful women’s apparel company, Tocaya Design. This career was a
\nfulfillment of my childhood dream but eventually another calling came to me\u2014one rooted in my
\nMexican American heritage.
\nFashion and writing aren’t as different as they might seem. Both are about creating something
\nfrom a concept or idea, weaving a brand identity or a story narrative, and leaving a lasting
\nimpression with customers and readers. My fashion design skills honed my creativity, strategy,
\nand storytelling.
\nWhile my creative drive has now pushed me to enter this new world of storytelling, I haven’t left
\nfashion behind. I continue to be involved, helping start-up companies and small businesses by
\nsharing the tools I’ve learned as a Fashion Design executive and company owner. I provide
\nguidance on everything from concept and design, sourcing, branding, and marketing to costing,
\nnegotiation, and logistics. Over the past decade, I’ve also been involved with Latin Biz Today, a
\ndigital platform that provides resources to Latine entrepreneurs and small businesses, which has
\nfurther honed my entrepreneurial skills. Working with Latin Biz Today (latinbusinesstoday.com)
\nhas given me the gift of hearing and sharing stories of diverse Latine entrepreneurs through my
\nwritten articles and podcast hosting of Cafecito with Latin Biz Today. As I continued to
\ninterview and listen to these unique journeys of family and business, I had an epiphany: my
\nfamily’s story of resilience and hard work was just as important and needed to be recorded too.
\nI have my parents to thank for my entrepreneurial skills. They\u2019re the perfect example of grit and
\nentrepreneurial spirit. They were migrant farm workers in their youth, a lifestyle that was not
\nonly physically demanding but also made it nearly impossible to keep up with schoolwork due to
\nconstant movement and travel. Despite these immense challenges, they both graduated from high
\nschool, proving their deep belief that education is crucial. My dad eventually worked as an
\nelectrician at General Motors, and my mom pioneered the area’s first bridal shop in the early
\n1970s. Together, they also managed rental homes to provide additional income for our family, all
\nwhile they raised three children.
\nTheir belief in hard work and perseverance was a lesson learned from their own experiences. As
\nchildren and teenagers, they many times endured a lack of basic necessities like running water
\nand heat. They faced being treated as less than. My dad talks about being forced to use separate
\nbathrooms at times because of their ethnicity- their brown skin. These experiences, which I have
\nkept through notes and oral stories, needed to be on paper so they are not forgotten. These are
\nstories of their resilience, of a family support system that lifted them up, and of their desire to
\ngive their children more than they ever had themselves.
\nMy initial launch of three children\u2019s stories, \u201cEl Rancho Chocolat\u00e9\u201d, \u201cWhere El Cucuy Lurks\u201d,
\nand \u201cEl Camino del Destino\u201d are deeply personal, drawing from my childhood summers spent
\nwith Tejano family in South Texas and my parents\u2019 stories which they\u2019ve recounted to me over
\nand over again. These memories\u2014filled with adventurous escapades with my siblings and
\nprimos, captivating family tales from my t\u00edos and t\u00edas, and the joyful sounds of Tejano music
\nhave become even more vivid and colorful memories to me. These cherished cuentos, infused
\nwith Spanglish and family love, compelled me to share my unique cultural background.<\/p>\n

What People Should Know About Me<\/strong>
\nMy own journey from Fashion Designer to Children\u2019s Book Author is one of big dreams and
\neven bigger surprises. Growing up in rural Ohio, the idea of a fashion career in New York City
\nseemed like something out of a movie. I always BELIEVED I could have an amazing fashion
\ncareer, but looking back, I wish I had even more confidence in myself then, because I never
\nimagined the journey would take me to the highest levels of the industry.
\nI\u2019ve had the privilege of working with a vast assortment of people, from sitting across the table
\nwith high level executives of retail chains to pitching apparel lines to people like Eva Longoria,
\nUsher, and Mary J. Blige. My work has taken me across the globe to shop and get inspiration
\nfrom wonderful cities like London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm,
\nEdinburgh, Dusseldorf, and Milan, and to work with an incredible array of factories in China
\ntruly learning about fashion production. I was in charge of million-dollar budgets and tasked
\nwith building and leading brands.
\nLooking back, I realize that the drive to achieve these things came from the same spirit my
\nparents taught me\u2014that anything is possible with hard work and determination. This is the same
\npowerful message I want to share with the Latine community. I want young readers to know that
\nyou can dream bigger than you ever thought possible, and that there are people who want to
\nmentor and lift you up, just like they did for me. Our heritage and family are the powerful
\nfoundation for great achievements. They give us a unique perspective and distinct voice in the
\nworld.<\/p>\n

Why You Should Buy the Books<\/strong>
\n“I wanted to see young Latine readers and their family stories reflected in fun
\nengaging books”
\nThese stories are so important for younger generations for cultural preservation, personal
\nempowerment and the importance of family in the face of adversity.
\nFor young Latine readers, my stories are a mirror\u2014a chance to see their own families, culture,
\nand experiences reflected on the pages. In a world where brown children might not always see
\nthemselves in mainstream media, these books validate their identity and tell them that their
\nheritage is beautiful and worthy of being celebrated. I hope that my use of Spanglish and the
\ndetails of Tejano life make these stories feel authentic and personal, creating a link to our roots
\nthat can instill a sense of pride and belonging.
\nStories of migrant farm workers who overcame immense hardship to graduate high school are
\nalso powerful lessons in resilience. In an age of social media and instant gratification, these
\nstories show young people what it truly means to persevere in the face of adversity. It teaches
\nthem that their ancestors were not just survivors but pioneers who lifted themselves up through
\nhard work and a firm belief in a better future for themselves and their children. This narrative of
\nstrength can be a source of inspiration and a reminder that they too have the power to overcome
\nchallenges.
\nMy stories always emphasize the important role of family as a support system. In a world that
\ncan feel highly political and divided, my goal is to write books that remind young readers that
\nfamily is a constant source of strength and love. Whether \u201cfamily\u201d today is your immediate
\nfamily or the family you create around you, I want to reinforce the idea that we don’t succeed
\nalone, but with the support and love of our families.
\nBy putting my stories on paper, I want to ensure that the oral traditions of my family\u2014the
\ncuentos passed down through generations\u2014are not lost. In this digital age, where information is
\nabundant but often fleeting, I hope that my books give these cherished stories a permanent home.
\nThese memories and spoken stories must be translated into tangible treasures that can be shared
\nand revisited for generations to come, creating a lasting legacy for family and community. I urge
\neveryone to think about doing something to preserve their own heritage and stories.<\/p>\n

A Reading Experience Beyond the Pages<\/strong>
\nMy stories are more than just books; they are a gateway to culture, language, and fun. With this
\nvision in mind, I’m also creating companion materials for my books, such as Spanish-English
\ncoloring books and adventure study guides.
\nMy goal is for these materials to be useful and enjoyable tools for parents and educators to work
\non comprehension, vocabulary, language, creative writing and drawing, as well as Social and
\nEmotional Learning (SEL) and English as a Second Language (ESL).
\nMy parents have always been strong believers in education, and I want to continue that message
\nin how I present these stories. I want to create resources to bridge culture and foster a sense of
\npride and positivity in Latine children, while also offering non-Spanish-speaking children an
\naccessible and engaging way to learn a new language. By combining reading with interactive
\nactivities, I aim to make my books an educational and unifying experience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAbout the Books<\/strong>
\nEl Rancho Chocolat\u00e9:<\/em>
\nBased on the treasure hunting stories on my mom\u2019s side of the family, the young characters in
\nthe story are my mom, Berta, my Aunt Rita and their cousin, Elda.
\nStep into the charming, dusty world of 1950s South Texas. The story begins when three
\ninseparable sisters and their cousin, Berta, Rita, and Elda, discover an old, weathered family
\nmap. As their beloved Nana tells them a legendary cuento about a hidden treasure, the girls are
\nconvinced that the map will lead them to untold riches. Their thrilling quest takes them on an
\nadventure filled with vibrant Tejano music and cherished family stories. As they follow the clues
\nleft by their ancestors, they discover that the greatest riches aren’t gold or jewels, but the love,
\nlaughter, and unbreakable bonds of their familia. The title\u2019s unique spelling, El Rancho
\nChocolat\u00e9, is no mistake; it holds a special secret at the true nature of the treasure they seek. El
\nRancho Chocolat\u00e9 is a celebration of heritage and proof of the enduring magic of family.<\/p>\n

Where El Cucuy Lurks:<\/em>
\nBased on scary childhood stories from my elders, especially my Tia Lilia and Tia Elvira
\ninvoking the power of El Cucuy.
\nIn Where El Cucuy Lurks, author Christina Trevi\u00f1o draws upon her own childhood memories,
\nchanneling her experiences as a young girl. For young Tina, the legendary El Cucuy was more
\nthan just a scary story; he was a very real presence invoked by her loving aunts and uncles to
\ninstill crucial life lessons. This shadowy figure, the traditional Mexican Boogeyman, served as a
\nplayful yet firm reminder to Tina about respect for elders, the importance of good manners,
\nkeeping her room tidy, and the importance of not wandering too far from her family in big,
\nunfamiliar places, so as to avoid getting lost.
\nThe story follows Tina on a journey that intertwines these childhood fears with empowering
\nlessons. In the darkness under her bed, in the dark and cobwebby corners of her basement with a
\nspooky mannequin, and as she helps her parents renovate old, neglected houses, her vivid
\nimagination brings El Cucuy to life. However, as Tina learns to be brave, kind, and helpful, she
\ndiscovers that her hard work, responsibility, and the act of contributing to her family’s efforts are
\nthe most powerful tools against her deepest fears. This heartwarming and empowering narrative
\nblends the cultural significance of El Cucuy\u2014scary but with a reason\u2014with universal themes of
\ncourage, family, and the magic of making a tangible difference in her world, echoing Christina’s
\nown childhood journey to bravery.<\/p>\n

El Camino del Destino:<\/em>
\nBased on my dad, Tristan and his two cousins Elui and Pete and their stories as young
\nmigrant farm workers.
\nA poignant and inspiring historical fiction story, El Camino del Destino tells the story of Tristan
\nand his cousins, Pete and Eliu, as they bravely navigate the difficult world of migrant farm work
\nin the 1950\u2019s. What begins as an exploration of the unique beauty and rhythms of their life on the
\nroad is seen through the vivid imaginations of the young boys, who transform hardships into
\ngrand adventures as a way of coping. From a devastating flood in Lavaca, Texas, to a harrowing
\nblizzard in Wyoming, the family learns that their resilience, fueled by an unbreakable family
\nbond, is their true and lasting strength. This heartfelt narrative is proof of the power of hope, the
\nspirit of adventure, and the precious meaning of having each other in the face of life’s greatest
\nobstacles.<\/p>\n

Where to Find the Books<\/strong>
\nThe books El Rancho Chocolate, Where El Cucuy Lurks, and El Camino del Destino as well as
\ntheir companion Spanish-English coloring books and study guides are all available on
\nAmazon.com (https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/author\/christina_trevino) and the website
\nhttp:\/\/www.christinatrevinoauthor.com.
\nThe website is a great resource for additional articles, recipes, and craft activities that relate to
\nthe stories.
\nFor example, readers can find a recipe for a a kid friendly Guacadile Monster Guacamole that
\nharkens back to Where El Cucuy Lurks and a DIY Treasure Chest craft project that ties back to
\nthe El Rancho Chocolat\u00e9 book. The website also includes articles that explore the cultural
\nbackground and history behind the stories, and suggestions for enhancing the reading experience
\nof the stories, providing a deeper understanding for both children and adults.
\nIt’s a wonderful way to extend the magic of the books and to engage the whole family in a fun
\nand educational experience.<\/p>\n

The Book Series Journey So Far<\/strong>
\nSince the book series release this summer, the stories have gained exposure through businesses
\nlike Just a Peace Gift Shop (Stamford, CT), the Tuttle Museum of Defiance, Ohio, the Defiance
\nPublic Library, The Tappan Library in New York, and received media coverage from publications
\nsuch as The Defiance Crescent News as well as Mexican Arts Guide, Culture Life Wyoming, and
\nKXAN, Austin to name a few news outlets. This exposure helps to amplify the message of
\ncultural pride and belonging that is central to the books.
\nAs I continue to share these stories and write new ones, I am looking to partner with schools,
\nlibraries, and community groups to host immersive events that bring these stories to life. Beyond
\ntraditional book readings and signings, each event can be a unique, hands-on experience tailored
\nto a specific book, offering creative and engaging activities for children.<\/p>\n

Corresponding activity ideas:<\/strong>
\nEl Rancho Chocolat\u00e9
\n\u2022 Making magical hot cocoa.
\n\u2022 A bracelet-making session with milagro charms.
\n\u2022 Create and decorate your own “magical” treasure chest.
\nWhere El Cucuy Lurks
\n\u2022 Make your own “monsters.”
\n\u2022 Create a “Monster Jar” with glow-in-the-dark paint.
\nEl Camino del Destino
\n\u2022 Grow plants from seeds.
\n\u2022 Use natural cotton to create a “corderito\u201d as in the story.
\n\u2022 Construct a personal “path of destiny” diorama using natural elements.
\nI believe events like this will not only provide a creative outlet but also help Latine students see
\nthemselves reflected in the stories they read.
\nTo discuss a collaboration and bring this enriching experience to your community, please contact
\nme at 201-914-5995 or via email at cmtrevino1@gmail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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