Susan Middleton Elya

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About Susan Middleton Elya

Susan Middleton Elya grew up near Des Moines, Iowa, went to college 35 miles away, and then left her state to teach in the middle-of-nowhere Nebraska. But before that, she traveled to Mexico City with her high school Spanish teacher, to Venezuela to student-teach, and to Burgos, Spain, to finish up her dual degree. She wanted to teach 3rd grade but ended up teaching high school Spanish instead (due to her double degree from Iowa State University). After 8.5 years of teaching in the Midwest, she moved to San Diego to get married and ended up teaching Spanish to native speakers in Ramona, California. Then a move with her husband to the Bay Area left her jobless, with a new baby, and with plenty of time to write. She started submitting stories for publication in 1988 and finally struck gold with Say Hola to Spanish, a nonfiction picture book from Lee & Low, in 1994. Now, 29 titles later, Elya is working on novels, as well. She has three grown children and still loves to make up stories, do school visits, and remember what it was like to be a kid. She also has an online costume store in California, where she sells children's pioneer clothing and her books. Check it out at www.thepolkadotattic.com. Visit her author website at www.susanelya.com.

Susan also sings with a chorus and likes to dress up and hang out with Darth Vader (see photos).

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Titles By Susan Middleton Elya

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La Princesa and the Pea Sep 5, 2017

by Susan Middleton Elya, Juana Martinez-Neal

( 239 )

$10.99

The Princess and the Pea gets a fresh twist in this charming bilingual retelling, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree.

The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .

Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Little Roja Riding Hood (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) Apr 10, 2014

by Susan Middleton Elya, Susan Guevara

( 62 )

$10.99

A smart, snappy, bilingual retelling of Little Red Riding Hood
Winner of a Pura Belpre Honor for Illustration

While Roja picks flowers on the way to her grandma's, a mean wolf sneaks away with her cape to surprise Abuelita. But Grandma's no fool and Roja's no ordinary chica. They send that hungry lobo packing with a caliente surprise!

This spirited retelling of Little Red Riding Hood has accessible Spanish rhymes and fresh illustrations, with hip cultural details throughout.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

The Three Billy Goats Buenos Mar 3, 2020

by Susan Middleton Elya, Miguel Ordóñez

( 61 )

$10.99

Humor abounds in this masterfully-bilingual twist on "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" that dares to ask the question: why is that troll so grumpy anyway?

Three little cabritos have a clever plan to get past the grumpiest troll in the land. But then one of the billy goats wonders: Why is that gigante so grumpy, anyway?

This thoughtful question sends their plan in a new direction, and the results are better than they ever imagined.

Dashes of humor, empathy, and kindness make this modern twist on a classic tale a charming delight.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for los Niños Jul 19, 2016

by Susan Middleton Elya, Juana Martinez-Neal

( 74 )

$9.99

Classic favorites get a modern Latino twist

The itsy arañita
climbed up the water spout.
Down came la lluvia
and washed la araña out.

Classic Mother Goose rhymes get a Latino twist in this cozy collection. From young Juan Ramón sitting in el rincón to three little gatitos who lost their mitoncitos, readers will be delighted to see familiar characters in vibrant, luminous scenes brimming with fanciful details.

La Madre Goose will make a playful multicultural addition to every modern bookshelf.

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover

Maya Papaya and Her Amigos Play Dress-Up Oct 23, 2018

by Susan Middleton Elya, Maria Mola

( 19 )

$9.99

In this rhyming celebration of playtime, bilingual Maya Papaya welcomes all four seasons with a flair for dress-up and an inclusion of Spanish words in an English narrative. Strong writing, a spunky protagonist, and themes of playtime and the changing seasons lead to a celebration as Maya Papaya plays dress-up and speaks to her toys in English and Spanish, going on adventures and making the most of their time together. Expert author Susan Middleton Elya is a former Spanish teacher and known for her prolific, award-winning bilingual books for children.

Other Formats: Hardcover

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