What happens when your child asks, “Why doesn’t anyone know we exist?”

In the first episode of Season 2 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with her friend, author and entrepreneur Christine Osoria, for a deeply personal conversation about cultural identity, motherhood, representation, and creating the spaces we wish existed.

Christine shares the story behind her children's book, Rosalia the Honduran American, which was inspired by her daughter questioning why people knew about the Dominican Republic but did not know about Honduras. It was a moment that brought Christine back to her own childhood growing up Honduran American in the Bronx and ultimately inspired her to write a story that would help children feel proud of where they come from.

Christine also talks about her journey from self-published author to founder of Lavish Booktique, a pop-up bookstore created to give more visibility to women writers and stories that are too often overlooked.

Luz and Christine get personal about what it means to build something while also being mothers, working full time, raising children, supporting their dreams, and learning that success does not have to happen according to someone else's timeline.

At its heart, this episode is about being proud of who you are, making room for stories that are missing, supporting other women, and permitting yourself to enjoy the journey.

Because our children should never have to wonder whether their culture matters. Sometimes seeing Honduras, hearing Spanish, recognizing a baleada made by Abuelita, or reading about a family that looks like theirs can be the very thing that tells a child: I belong here too.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

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Season 1 comes to a heartfelt close with an inspiring conversation featuring author, educator, and NYU professor Fabienne Doucet.

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, host Luz Maria Mack and Fabienne explore the transformative power of children's literature, authentic representation, and why every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

Fabienne shares the inspiration behind her bilingual picture book, Love Is Still Winning (El Amor Siempre Triunfa), a story rooted in hope, kindness, and the belief that love can overcome fear and division.

Together, Luz and Fabienne discuss:

• Why culturally relevant books matter
• Representation in children's publishing
• Equity in education and classroom libraries
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
• Dominican, Haitian, and Afro-Latino representation
• The importance of preserving family stories
• Teaching empathy through children's literature
• How love remains at the center of meaningful storytelling

Fabienne also offers a touching preview of her next picture book, inspired by her beloved great uncle—an artist and curator from Haiti whose legacy continues to shape her life and writing.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that stories have the power to help children feel seen, valued, and connected.

Thank you for joining us throughout Season 1 of The Missing Book Podcast. Every guest has reminded us why diverse voices matter and why there are still so many stories waiting to be discovered.

Because every story deserves a reader, and everyone deserves to see themselves in a book.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #Season1Finale #FabienneDoucet #ChildrensBooks #KidLit #RepresentationMatters #DiverseBooks #InclusiveBooks #LoveIsStillWinning #Storytelling #Literacy #Education #HaitianAuthors #LatinoAuthors #BooksThatMatter

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, host Luz Maria Mack sits down with poet, essayist, and educator Lisa Gil Ventura for an honest conversation about love, identity, creativity, and the courage to embrace life as a full-time writer.

Lisa shares her journey from journaling in private to becoming a published poet, how the Dominican Writers Association helped her discover her voice, and why representation in literature matters. Together, Luz and Lisa discuss poetry, publishing, motherhood, social work, imposter syndrome, self-promotion, and the importance of preserving our stories for future generations.

They also explore:

✨ Writing as healing

✨ Dominican identity and cultural pride

✨ The realities of making a living as an artist

✨ Why underrepresented voices deserve to be celebrated

✨ Raising children who are confident in who they are

✨ The power of love, community, and storytelling

📖 Featured Book:¿Con qué papel me envuelves la luna? by Lisa Gil Ventura

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#DominicanRepublic #LatinoBooks #RepresentationMatters#Book #LisaGilVentura #DominicanWriter #Poetry #LatinaAuthor #AfroLatina #DominicanRepublic #CreativeWriting #WritersLife #RepresentationMatters #LatinoBooks #Memoir #BookPodcast #Storytelling #AuthorsOfYouTube