The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Laura De La Cruz
Laura De La Cruz is an emerging Latina writer from Los Angeles, California, who now calls Austin, Texas, home.
She specializes in picture books but dabbles in other genres. Laura is a former library media technician who managed an elementary school library for eight years and shared her passion for children’s literature with her students. After reading hundreds of picture books, Laura realized she too had stories to tell, so she returned to school and received her BA in English from Arizona State University, graduating summa cum laude as a first-generation college graduate.
Laura loves living in Austin, and when she is not reading or making up stories, she enjoys a glass of wine while admiring her neighbor’s longhorns.
Laura’s debut picture book, Lowrider for Sale, releases on September 8th.
Welcome Laura,
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you typically write? How long have you been
writing?)
I am a semi-retired empty nester with three grown children, a husband, two dogs, and a horse. I was born and raised in Southern California, then lived in the Bay Area (CA) for 21 years. Now my family and I live in the Austin, Texas area.
I’ve been writing for a long time. When I was growing up, I did a lot of journal writing. Then in high school, I started writing song lyrics and poems, but was never very good at either. My lyrics were filled with teenage angst, and my poems sounded more like song lyrics. 😊 It wasn’t until I had children and started reading to them that I remembered how much I loved picture books. I eventually got a job as a library media technician where I read to kids every day! How awesome is that?! That’s when I started thinking about writing my own stories. I went back to school and graduated from ASU with an English degree. I then started learning everything I could about writing for children. I read craft books, joined organizations like SCBWI and Julie Hedland’s 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, and read, read, read. Then I started really writing and put my stories to paper. I also joined critique groups and paid for critiques. At first, my stories didn’t resemble picture book stories. But I continued to write and learn.
I tried to write every day, but sometimes either I wasn’t in the mood or I had other things to do. I eventually started treating writing like a nine-to-five job. I sat in that chair at my desk and wrote, revised, and read almost every day. Finally, my stories started to resemble picture book stories. The secret? I was determined and never gave up.
It is wonderful to "meet" you and learn your secret. What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?
That’s an interesting question. It’s interesting because I don’t think I’ve ever written anything on paper in an unusual place. But I have thought of, plotted, planned, or worked on a manuscript in my head while I’ve been in an unusual place. And the only reason I say unusual place is because it wasn’t at my desk like usual. Some of these places include the following: out on a walk, while taking a shower, on a plane, once on a train, on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, and even at a bar.
Basically, even if not putting pen to paper, you are always 'writing' wherever you happen to be. The beach at Puerto Vallarta sounds like a fun place to work! What was your inspiration or spark of interest for Lowrider for Sale?
The inspiration for Lowrider for Sale was my dad. My dad was funny, talented, and generous, and I loved him very much. My dad died of cancer when I was only eight years old. For many years after his death, I’ve wanted to write something to honor him, something to share him and his memory with others.
It wasn’t until I was working at an elementary school library that I had the spark. I came up with the idea for the book when I read Yard Sale by Eve Bunting and Lauren Castillo to my students. In the book, a family is moving to a small apartment and can’t take all of their possessions with them, so they hold a yard sale. The main character, Callie, struggles to understand what is happening as she watches strangers buy the things that have been part of her family’s life. As someone who has always collected things that hold memories—concert ticket stubs, posters, t-shirts, knickknacks, and other little treasures—I immediately connected with Callie. I started to wonder what I would have done at eight-years-old if someone had asked me to give up something that held so many precious memories.
But the story wasn’t complete. I wanted to add more to the story. I wanted to add something from my culture. But what? I started to think, what is rarely seen in picture books that depicts my heritage? I looked at where I grew up for clues. Growing up in Pico Rivera, California, near Whittier Blvd., it wasn’t unusual to see lowriders cruising the boulevard. Saturday nights in the 80's were especially busy. These gorgeous classic cars with shiny chrome bumpers, stunning murals, and hydraulics that made them hop and dance, were a familiar sight. A lowrider was the missing piece of the story. It brought everything together—the memories, my childhood, my
father, my community, and a part of my culture that I rarely saw represented in picture books.
I love that you were able to find a way to create a tribute to your father and childhood. What was the hardest or most challenging thing about writing Lowrider for Sale? And what was the most fun?
The most challenging part of writing Lowrider for Asle was trying to write a story that had lots of heart. I wanted to show the relationship between my dad and myself, but I felt I wasn’t a good enough writer to show that. It wasn’t until the book was published and I shared it with others that I felt I had accomplished that. I’ve received wonderful feedback from readers regarding the heart in the story.
The most fun was revising with my editor, Regan Winter, after receiving the artwork! I felt like Regan and I worked very well together. She had lots of great ideas, and rather than just telling me what to add to the story, she asked me lots of questions to get my brain thinking. She was truly a pleasure to work with.
That sounds like a wonderful experience for your first picture book. Did anything surprise or amaze you when you first saw Vanessa Morales’ illustrations? What is your favorite spread?
Vanessa Morales is an amazing illustrator! Her work is so beautiful, and she is extremely talented. One of the things that amazed me was the research she had done to get this book just right. In the very first spread of the story, when Gabi, Papi, and Abuelo Chucho are cruising in Pico Nights down Whittier Blvd., Vanessa added “El Arco,” or the Arch, which is a real landmark on Whitter Blvd. in East Los Angeles. I never included that in my art notes. She did the research and saw that the arch was an important part of Whittier Boulevard. Anyone who has ever been there would immediately recognize it.
Text © Laura De La Cruz, 2026. Image © Vanessa Morales, 2026.
And as for my favorite spread, this is it! The So. Cal. Sunset on a palm tree-lined street and cruising with the top down! Who could ask for anything more?
Vanessa's inclusion of so much detail in her illustrations is what makes them so stunning and touching.
What's something you want your readers to know or learn about Lowrider for Sale?
I want people to know that lowriders are fun! I feel like lowriders and their owners have gotten a bad reputation. But it is not true. I want people to know that lowriders and their owners are friendly and will talk to you for hours about their cars. Many lowrider owners want to share their cars with you. They do charity events, fundraising events, or go out cruising just to have fun.
And just like in Lowrider for Sale lots of families own these beautiful cars—cars that are passed down from generation to generation.
Thank you sharing this and offering us a window into lowriders and their owners. Is there an author or illustrator (children’s or otherwise) who has had an influence on your writing or creativity?
Yes, there are lots of writers who have influenced me. I’ve read lots of books and I have lots of authors that I look up to. Meg Medina, Isabel Quintero, Gary Soto, and Pam Munoz Ryan are just a few of my favorites.
What a great list of authors! Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
Yes, I have a second book coming out in March 2028, which is part of a two-book deal with Disney-Hyperion. The title of that book is Besos for Mami and it’s the story of a little girl who is stressing out because she doesn’t have a Mother’s Day gift for her mom. She eventually decides to give her mom a special pan dulce, but now the problem is which pan dulce is the best?
My agent and I are currently on submission with a picture book biography and another picture book. I have some great news about that, but you’ll have to wait for the announcement soon!
Intriguing. Best of luck with your picture books and your other projects. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
I’ve visited both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and have to say they are some of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I hope to one-day visit Yellowstone—maybe when I eventually go, I could find a diamond like some people have. Or a dinosaur! 😊 Wouldn’t that be cool?!
Thank you, Laura for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new picture book.
Thank you so much, Maria, for giving me the opportunity to be featured on your blog.
Be sure to come back on Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF review of Lowrider for Sale.
To find out more about Laura De La Cruz, or to contact her:
Website: https://www.lauraadelacruz.com/
X(Twitter): https://x.com/vrukaslt
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