Book: La Mala Suerte is Following Me (2024)
Author: Ana Siqueira
Illustrator: Carlos Vélez Aguilera
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Genre: Picture Book
Opening Lines of the Book…
My life is perfecta.
Good grades at school.
Best goalie on the team.
Super lucky all the time.
Until …
MY THOUGHTS…
This is a fun book that deals with a boy and superstitions. Meet Miguel, the luckiest boy in town, and he can’t wait to play in the soccer tournament at the end of the week. But suddenly, he encounters all sorts of bad luck, personified by the La Mala Suerte (a black puddle/cloud) … He’s not sure what to believe … until he decides to try to make his own luck.
I love the additional notes usually found at the back of the book. And this one has a page that talks about various superstitions from around the world!
BONUS INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR…
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: In my house, I am the positive one and my husband is the negative one. I noticed that my positive attitude towards life makes me also a go-getter. So, for example, you might get a pass from an editor and feel defeated. But I would allow this sad feeling to percolate for one day, after that… I’ll work on making this manuscript better. I’ll talk to my agent about resubmitting it. Let me join six critique groups so I can get help and help others.
My husband is a wonderful person and a fighter, but sometimes he lets this defeated feeling take over his life and dreams. And he used to have a Cuban saying (not Kidlit-appropriate) about the bad luck following him. Hahaha. So I guess we both inspired this book.
Q: What is your scene from the book? (without giving away spoilers)
A: I love the way the illustrator Carlos Velez Aguillera drew La Mala Suerte. And also, when Miguel tries his tia’s “existential” oils. But I can’t choose a favorite. I think this is a book filled with humor, both through words and art.
Q: Authors often put themselves into the story. Which character is most like YOU and why?
A: When I was a little girl I used to think the world was so unfair. My parents were unfair. My life was unfair. So the little me relates to the negative Miguel. But he’s also a go-getter. He let the bad luck feeling percolate for a few days, but then he decided to make his own luck. I relate to his new attitude toward life now that I discovered life can be unfair sometimes, but most of the time life is pretty great.
Q: Are you, or have you ever been, superstitious?
A: Not really. Even though, when I was little, the world was so unfair to me. Hahaha. I did imagine it was because I was born on July 13th. Spooky.
Q: What is your favorite superstition? (Or one you love to hate!)
A: I don’t have that many superstitions—only the ones created by ourselves. For example, if my soccer team wins while I am wearing a blue jersey, then I will try using it every time my team plays.
Q: What is your writing method? How do you go about making up the stories?
A: Normally, when I get an idea, I open a doc for it. And there I write anything related to the idea. I also research and read many picture books with similar topics. While researching and reading, I keep writing ideas. And the ideas start to mix, match, swing, and swirl in my brain. Then I outline it- spread by spread. That way I know what will happen in each spread as a scene. For example, in spread 1, Miguel opens the umbrella and Abuela says now the bad luck will follow him.
Depending on the idea, the brain-marinating can take from days to months. As I’ve mentioned, the idea of bad luck following someone has been part of my ideas for a long time. It was a whole year’s process until I found out how I wanted to tell this story.
Then, of course, I share my story with my amazing critique partners and work on revising, choosing the right words, and adding humor and heart.
Q: What draws you to write for children?
A: I love children. I love being a teacher, a mother, and a grandmother. I also always loved creating stories, since I was a child. So what’s better than joining two of your passions: children + stories and creating stories that kids will enjoy and get inspired by?
Q: What is your favorite advice to give someone who wants to write or publish a book?
A: When things get tough, don’t assume that bad luck is following you or that you don’t have talent. This publishing world is tough. And you can’t control if an agent or publisher likes your story. But you can control your attitude. Keep on reading, learning, and writing.
Q: What upcoming projects are you most excited about right now?
A: I am excited about my other books coming out. In 2025 – If Your Abuelo is an Astronauta (Simon & Schuster), Sticky Hermana (Charlesbridge), Vera, la Valiente, is Scared (Beaming Books). And in 2026 – Mami’s Heart (HarperCollins) and two other ones to be announced (a PB and a chapter book).
My graphic novel Luka, the Superhero Inventor is on submission. And I hope to sell it because the story is funny and sweet, and my niece’s art is incredible.
Q: Where can people find out more about you and your books?
A: Check my website: https://anafiction.com/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SraSiqueira1307
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
If you’re able to make the book launch for La Mala Suerte is Following Me, it’s on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 8 pm EST. I would love to see you there. Register here.
12 CHALLENGE
12 months to feature 12 picture books…
This picture book review is part of a monthly challenge I’ve set for myself. Have a recommendation for me? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. I may just feature your pick one of these months!
Book: Super Puzzletastic Mysteries (2020)
Book: Nothing Else But Miracles (2023)
Book: Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart (2008)
“In the Middle Of …” / Theme: Nowhere
I am so excited to share with you the cover of my debut picture book, The Christmas Elephant!
Book: School Trip (2023)
“Snowfall” / Theme: Quiet Time
Book: Endlessly Ever After (2022)
Book: Make a Move, Sunny Park (2023)
Of Maria Antonia 