Written and Illustrated
Books families and their children tell me that they love because they help to understand better children’s feelings and experiences!
¡Cuentos que las familias y sus niños me dicen que les encantan porque ayudan a entender major los sentimientos y las experiencias de los niños!
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Silvia’s work as an educator, child parent psychotherapist, and clinical social worker has been centered on a deep love and respect for the internal world of the child. In 2010, Silvia discovered, through the deeply transformative experience at the Infant Parent Mental Health Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts, led by Dr. Ed Tronick that creating cuentos, or short illustrated stories for children, could give a powerful voice to the Latino-American immigrant mothers with whom she has worked for the last twenty-five years.
She published her first cuento, “Mommy, tell me, how you got here?” (bilingual edition) in 2013. This book creates a dialogue that helps these mothers remember, share and embrace their untold stories with their children. Silvia expanded this story in her second cuento, “Mommy, tell me, why did you come here?” (bilingual edition). Silvia’s books have been well received internationally, most recently at the 2018 Guadalajara International Book Fair, where she was guest speaker, the 2018 Frankfurter Buchmesse, and the 2019 International Academic Migration Conference in Bari, Italy.
Inspired by her work with families in the Bronx, New York City, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Silvia just published “Mommy, Why Am I a Superhero Too?” in English and Spanish.
Silvia has written and illustrated many “cuentos,” inspired by the courage, love and hope of the immigrant families she works with. Some of them will be published; some of them will be used only in the intimacy of her psychotherapeutic work and some of them will remain in her heart. Every time Silvia creates a “cuento,” she hopes to honor her Abuelo “Bigotes,” the magical storyteller of her childhood.
Silvia was the Connecticut Infant Mental Health Association 2014 Jane C. Bourns Award recipient for Excellence and Exemplary Service to Young Children and their Families in the Field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
In this endearing children's picture book dedicated to "all immigrant mothers of the world," a young child seeks to learn through a series of questions why his Mommy came to America. The story is told in both English and Spanish and accompanied by cheerful, loving, and childlike artwork. The young boy has an ongoing conversation with Mommy about the various reasons that she chose before his birth to immigrate to the United States. Was it because the child could have a good education and learn English? Did it have something to do with the quality of doctors available? Everyone else in the mother's town back home wanted to come, and, of course, she would not consider staying behind. Here in America, the family could obtain a "warm little house with a yard to run around in," writes author Juarez-Marazzo. Here, the family is free, and there is protection by law enforcement. Here, as well, mommies and daddies can do the same types of jobs.
The author—a therapist and advocate of immigrant issues—has provided in this gem of a picture book a colorful and engaging outlet for parent and child to share in reading together, further sparking conversation and knowledge of personal family histories for those who, like the child and mother in the book, are immigrants to America, the land of opportunity, from Spanish-speaking countries. Likewise, for young children who do not fall into that category, the lessons imparted by Juarez-Marazzo's charming book are equally important. They can benefit all little boys and girls and their families. The unbreakable bonds of love between the child and his mom shine on every page in this upbeat, precious picture book, shedding light on a timely and important set of issues for the nation.
It gave me chills as I went through this story through the innocent eyes of a child trying to understand why this ordeal had to become part of his childhood.
I consider this as a wonderful piece of art that sends a strong message to the world. I hope people do give this illustrated story a read.
The sketches made by a child and his innocent dialogue with his immigrant mother brought tears to my eyes. I was impressed by the author’s observation and choice of topic to depict in today’s world.
I came across this book at my son’s pediatrician’s office. Thinking it was a simple children’s story book I started reading it to my son while waiting for our turn to see the doctor. What I saw and read broke my heart and opened my eyes. Simply heart breaking and compelling.
In today’s world struck by war and other life threatening issues, where innocent people are driven out of their countries only to seek refuge in an unknown land, I feel that the author’s brave stance to bring their struggle out in the open is quite commendable.
What an emotional book. The beautiful mother and child bond struck by life’s hardships and misfortunes made my heart bleed. The difficulties immigrant families go through is unimaginable. I personally feel that this issue is not brought in the limelight enough and that more should be written about the journey and circumstances immigrants survive no matter where they are from. Hats off to the author. It is important for people to understand and be sympathetic towards these families and make them feel at home. Hence, this book made me realize how self-engrossed we are.
Coming from an immigrant family myself, I know how devastating it is when you have to leave everything you were born into, everything you knew as your own and move to an unknown land. It took our family what seemed like ages to adjust and adapt. This book took me back to when we had just moved to the United States from Bangladesh and everywhere we went, we were forced to feel out of place. I remember the days of struggle, uncertainty and alienation when my older brother, a 12 year old had to keep telling us that it will be all fine. Soul touching work.
Brilliant piece of writing supported by such innocent yet strong
Illustrations. Initially i thought that this was a children's book,
but after skimming through i realized the harsh reality it unfolds.
Thinking about the circumstances that force people to leave their own
countries to come here seeking a better life choked me up quite a bit.
The author’s style of narrative instantly sparked emotion in me. I was
completely in a daze after turning the last page, even though it is a
very short book. It kept me tied from the first page to the last.
Silvia Juarez-Marazzo creates a series of bilingual books to help Spanish-speaking immigrant women bond more deeply with their beloved children. If a mother is undocumented, she is often silent about her traumatic journey to her new country. In these difficult times for immigrants, these picture books are an accessible gift to facilitate healing for mothers who took great risks to get to a place where their children would have more food and a better education. As an infant-mother expert, Juarez-Marazzo offers a beautiful therapeutic tool for both mothers and children to draw closer in their love through storytelling and heartwarming drawings. In telling their stories, mothers will integrate their past into each child’s history. This act in itself heals generations.
Storyline is so beautiful and touching!!!
Never knew the struggles of Latin American cultures here. Very touching story.
Kudos to the writer who has beautifully captured the essence of a latin American immigrant mothers perseverance to give her son a life that she never had.
Made me see the struggle of latin American immigrant mothers but also highlighted the fact that the distress of all immigrant communities is the same. Felt proud and happy that people who decide to leave their homeland due to unavoidable circumstances believe out country to be safe haven for them. True land of opportunity
Great book, and a great tool for mom's to share their story with their children about their journey when moving to another country.
This is a wonderful book about parenting journeys. Immigration brings a whole new narrative to the family’s life. It is a great way for parents to share stories, understand and be understood. Recommend it to every family.
A well and thoughtfully written book with beautiful illustrations. A perfect tool for parents and professionals to help children make meaning of their parents journey. With simple phrases it can help children and parents to talk about difficult things.
In this delicious and colorful story, the author is able to facilitate a dialogue between the child and his/her immigrant mother through story-telling and in so doing, she fosters secure attachment between the dyad. The author intelligently uses the idealistic cognitive development of the child to build ego strength as the story supports the child to see him or herself as an extension of the immigrant mother, who is portrayed as unconditionally loving and competent in her ability to keep the child safe and loved. As a seasoned, licensed therapist and a certified school counselor, I recommend this book to pre-school teachers, pre-Kindergarten teachers, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, child psychologists and child psychiatrists alike. The author teaches us all, regardless of our own cultural story, that the same strength and tenacity that characterizes immigration can be duplicated in the parent-child relationship through story-telling.
Silvia Juarez-Marazzo creates a series of bilingual books to help Spanish-speaking immigrant women bond more deeply with their beloved children. If a mother is undocumented, she is often silent about her traumatic journey to her new country. In these difficult times for immigrants, these picture books are an accessible gift to facilitate healing for mothers who took great risks to get to a place where their children would have more food and a better education. As an infant-mother expert, Juarez-Marazzo offers a beautiful therapeutic tool for both mothers and children to draw closer in their love through storytelling and heartwarming drawings. In telling their stories, mothers will integrate their past into each child’s history. This act in itself heals generations.
Beautiful and we'll written story
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