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11th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival
Inlandia Storytime at the Kids Zone!
With Vilayvanh Bender, José Chavez, Carmen Gutierrez, James Luna, and Yesenia Rodriguez
Saturday, April 27 • 11 AM–5 PM
White Park
3936 Chestnut St, Riverside
Visit the Tamale Festival and stop by the Inlandia Storytelling Booth to hear vibrant multicultural stories by authors from the region. Stories presented on the hour at 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM.
Vilayvanh Bender immigrated to America with her family as a young Vietnam War refugee. Entering the United States without speaking English, her first goal was to become fluent in this new language. Mommy Eats Fried Grasshoppers is a story of Vilayvanh’s childhood in Laos vs. her daughter Mahlee’s life in the United States. The book illustrates Mahlee learning how differently Mommy did things in Laos than she does in America. Mahlee loves doing everything with Mommy, but will she eat fried grasshoppers? The award-winning book has reached and delighted readers across the globe. It made history by being the first Lao-American picture book ever published in Southern California.
José Chavez was born in New Mexico and raised in Venice, California. He is the author of Nopales y Estrellitos: Little Stars and Cactus, a bilingual poetry collection for children. He holds a master’s degree in ESL and his poetry has appeared in the Multilingual Educator Journal. José resides in Moreno Valley, California, with his wife and calico cat.
James Luna is the author of three books, all published by Arte Publico Press/Pinata Books: The Runaway Piggy/El Cochinito Fugitivo, A Mummy in Her Backpack/Una momia en su mochila and The Place Where You Live/El lugar donde vives. His fourth book published by Arte Público, Growing Up on the Playground was released in 2018. Piggy was awarded the 2012 Tejas Star Award as chosen by the students of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Yesenia Rodriguez was born and raised in Riverside, California. As a self-proclaimed multipotentialite, she has dabbled in many capacities that have influenced her writing. In her debut as an author, she recalls her time as a cosmetologist and the beneficial impact that one’s image can have on their self-confidence. She believes what one does for others and how one treats them leaves an even greater influence. You will normally find her creating memories with her daughter.
Carmen Gutierrez was born and raised in the mountain town of Comerio, in the most beautiful island paradise of Puerto Rico. She moved to California when she married into the military. She lives in Southern California. Her passion for writing was inspired by her daughters.
