About Author Laura De La Cruz

¡Hola, amigos! I’m Laura, and I live in the Texas Hill Country with my husband, a horse named Dolly, and two dogs, Rico and Eddie. When I’m not writing books for kids, I’m feeding animals or enjoying the wide-open space.

I was born and raised in Southern California, then spent about twenty years in the Bay Area after moving north. These days, I’ve landed in Central Texas, where the skies are big, the neighbors are friendly, and no one thinks it’s strange when a cow, horse, or donkey escapes to roam our local roads. We live on four acres with plenty of elbow room, and while I started out a city girl, country life has officially won me over.

I attended college for a few years when I was younger, but then life happened—jobs, moves, and three kids who kept me busy from sunup to sundown. Still, not finishing my degree nagged at me like a pebble in my boot. So in 2016, I enrolled at Arizona State University to finish what I’d started. I graduated summa cum laude with an English degree in 2017 at age forty-nine, proving that it’s never too late to chase a goal or graduate with honors.

For eight years, I worked as a library media technician at two elementary schools in the Bay Area. After years of working as a software engineer, a Spanish preschool teacher, a receptionist, a translator, and wearing a few other hats along the way, I finally found the job of my dreams. My favorite part of the job? Reading and sharing amazing books with amazing kids. I loved everything about library life—the students, the teachers, and the fact that “reading all day” counted as actual work.

As a kid, I was a voracious reader, but somewhere along the way, grown-up responsibilities shoved books to the back shelf (a decision I do not recommend). But eventually, having my own children rekindled my love of reading, and working in the library reignited it completely. I fell in love with children’s literature all over again and became interested in writing. Immersed in beautiful picture books day after day, I realized I too had stories to tell.

Now that my children are grown and I’ve stepped away from library work, I finally have the time to write the stories that have been percolating in my head for years. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

Happy reading,

Laura De La Cruz

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you live? I live in the Texas Hill Country, about forty-five minutes north of Austin. I live in an equestrian community filled with horses, donkeys, cows, and plenty of other wildlife. Around here, it’s not unusual to slow down for an animal crossing the road.

Did you always want to be a writer? Stories have always been a part of my life. My grandparents were storytellers. My parents were storytellers. And when I visited my extended family in Mexico as a child, there were always stories being shared. I guess you could say I was destined to become a storyteller, too!

Do you speak Spanish? Yes, I do! Spanish was my first language. My parents were from Mexico and taught me Spanish at home. I learned English once I started school, and now I’m fluent in both.

What were you like as a kid? I was extremely shy and, honestly, I still am (just not quite as much). It takes me a little while to warm up to people. Growing up, I loved reading and listening to music, and I even learned to play the piano. I was also in the school band. When I wasn’t reading or making music, I was playing in the backyard with my three sisters, Pat, Alex and Claudia.

What do you like to do besides reading and writing? I love being at home with my pets, but I also enjoy photography, traveling, and going out to eat, especially trying out new restaurants.

Do you have a favorite character you’ve written? In my debut picture book, LOWRIDER FOR SALE, the main character, Gabby, is pretty great. She’s ambitious, strong-willed, and determined. But my favorite character has got to be Abuelo Chucho. I based him on my dad, who passed away when I was eight years old. My dad was funny, talented (he played the guitar), and incredibly kind and generous. Writing Abuelo Chucho is one way to keep my dad’s memory and his spirit alive.

Was it hard to go back to college as an adult? Yes! It was definitely hard. There were many times I thought, “Why didn’t I finish school when life was simpler?” I went back to school while my kids were still young and needed me. Every day after school, I helped them with their homework and then sat down to do my own. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it, and it taught me that hard things are possible when you don’t give up. There’s a saying I tell myself and my kids whenever we’re facing challenges: “¡Sí, se puede!” It means, “Yes, you can!”

Quick Facts About Laura

Hometown: Pico Rivera, California

Favorite Food: This one’s tough. I love all kinds of food! But I grew up on my mom’s delicious Mexican food, and nothing beats it

Favorite Season: Fall! I love everything about it…except pumpkin spice lattes