Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I am a retired teacher of world (foreign) languages. My mission in writing these books is to give every child an early start learning a language. That way, he or she will have the time to become fully proficient and able to appreciate the beauty of our world in its many forms, plus having a marketable skill. I published my first book, ¡Hola! Let’s Learn Spanish, an early and fun start learning Spanish for kids roughly 6-10, or younger.
Language education is not a priority in the U.S. or the other English-speaking countries, and we need to change that, so our kids will have the same benefits as those around the world who know more than one language.
I love art: oil painting. As part of the second book Bonjour! Let’s Learn French, the craft is for kids to do an impressionist-style painting.
I also participate in a monthly guitar jam. This month (next week), the theme is songs about outlaws, and one of the songs I’m doing is the Ballad of Billy the Kid, by Billy Joel.
I am part of a group that also meets monthly to discuss a movie that we watch at home via DVD in Spanish. The discussion is in Spanish, which gives me practice.
Since my husband is Spanish, we speak Spanish a lot at home.
I have two daughters, one is married and has a 3 year old daughter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am about to publish Bonjour! Let’s Learn French. It will give children roughly 6-10 a fun and early start learning French.
Only 25@ of elementary schools in the U.S., public or private, offer foreign language programs to their children. In some cases, the only language available is Spanish.
This way, families who have an interest or love for French and France can give their kids an introduction to French.
Whether it’s French, Spanish or any other language, the best way that you can encourage your kids to learn a language is to try it yourself.
So, it’s never too late to learn a language, or to refresh your memories.
I hope that you will try the books and enjoy them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have unusual writing habits.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Actually, in writing these books, I had input from experts in the field of early foreign language learning.
What are you working on now?
I’m about to publish Bonjour! Let’s Learn French. Please visit the website, http://www.polyglotkidz.com. You will find not only the audio versions of the French and Spanish books, but other resources like activity sheets, recipes, and my blog, though I don’t have much time to update it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to use facebook graphics which I post to facebook book groups.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m like the Grandma Moses of writing, (without the fame!) because I started very, very late. I wish that I had more time (and money) to publish books for the other languages.
New authors: if you are self-publishing, join some author blogs; they share great advice and support.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your bliss. I feel that I’m following my mission in life.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading “Goldfinch” I can’t remember the author, and I have the book on Kindle. I’m also reading a series of books in Spanish: detective stories about awful crimes that take place in my husband’s hometown in Spain, Vitoria.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I need time to promote the French and Spanish books. I have written books for Italian, Arabic and Chinese. If I have health, time, money and an editor for those languages which I’m not so familiar with, I’d love to publish them
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take a diary and write whatever comes into my head about life.
Author Websites and Profiles
Judy Martialay Website