Author writes Spanish books with English subtitles for children
Yadira V. Payne wants children of all ages to see the Hispanic culture through her eyes, but more importantly she hopes they will speak her language, too.
Yadira Payne, a recent graduate of Augusta State University, has published four books in the past nine months. Payne will read two of her books, Brown Eyes: Ojos Marrones and Viva los colores! at the Warren C. Gibbs Memorial Library Thursday at 7 p.m.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"I want to expound (the language) in Columbia County because there are so many Hispanics in Columbia County," said the Puerto Rican native, who is an illustrator, lecturer and publisher.
With four books already under her belt in the past nine months, Payne said Viva los colores! (or Hooray for the Colors) and Brown Eyes: Ojos Marrones are her most recent works.
The Columbia County Friends of the Library will hold a book signing with the bilingual author and Martinez resident at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Warren C. Gibbs Memorial Library, 326 North Belair Road.
The event coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a celebration of the ancestry, traditions and diversity of those indigenous to countries in Central and South America, Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean.
In Viva los colores!, Payne said, readers can learn about colors from a Hispanic southwestern point of view. Brown Eyes, Payne said, tells a story of a little brother's love for his big sister who comforts him into going back to sleep.
When writing the book, Payne said, she wanted the reading to be easy to follow.
"The lines in Spanish and English are broken up, so you can follow it word for word," she said.
In addition to the meet the author and book signing event, Payne said she will be a vendor at the Hispanic Festival, which will take place at the Augusta Common on Oct. 9. For more information, call 863-1946.