Nancy Torres, an Ecuadorian American author and educator, has made a name for herself in New York, where she lives with her husband and young son. Having grown up in a bilingual household after her parents migrated to the U.S., Nancy has embraced her heritage and aims to share its values through her work.
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Last year, during a difficult period for me, Nancy went out of her way to show kindness. She hosted my children and me in her home, creating joy-filled afternoons that highlighted her caring nature.
As an author of the bilingual children’s book, Say It With Me (Dilo Conmigo), Nancy introduces kids to the practice of affirmations, a concept she also shares with her son and students. The book has not only entertained my kids but has also prompted me to reflect on my self-talk.
In our conversation, Nancy described her multifaceted life:
1. **Self-Description:** "I am a Mama, Children’s Author, School Teacher, Meditation Guide who is kind, funny, loving, and loves chocolate!"
2. **Daily Life:** "I wake up, prepare for school where I teach 2nd graders, and then work on promoting my book. I balance my activities as a parent and partner, fitting in self-care like journaling, meditation, and even TV time."
3. **Personal Style:** When asked to describe her style, Nancy chose the words casual, chic, and date-night ready. Her style icons include Julieta Torres, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Lopez.
4. **Fashion Staples:** Her most-worn pieces include an AllSaints leather jacket, Levi's or Madewell jeans, and a versatile black long sleeve shirt.
5. **Inspiration for Writing:** Nancy's drive to write children's books stems from her desire for children to learn about affirmations early on. She wants these lessons to be foundational, akin to learning the alphabet.
6. **Self-Care Practices:** Nancy believes in the importance of self-care and incorporates journaling, affirmations, dance parties, and meditation into her daily routine.
7. **Recommended Books:** Among her favorites are The Alchemist, This Book is Antiracist, Untamed, and her own Say It With Me!
8. **Values for Her Children:** Nancy aims to instill kindness, respect, fun, the pursuit of dreams, and faith in her children.
9. **Bilingual and Bicultural Upbringing:** Raising her son bilingual is a challenge, especially as her husband does not speak Spanish. However, she emphasizes exposure to the language and Ecuadorian culture through food and family support.
Say It With Me (Dilo Conmigo) is published by Wheat Penny Press and part of their nonprofit initiative, Little Readers Big Change, which donates resources to students in need. Every purchase contributes to providing free books and mental wellness tools to public libraries and community organizations.
You can follow Nancy's journey on her Instagram (@iamnancytorres), where she shares insights about her life and work, especially as she welcomes her second child.