Background
Maya Gonzalez was born on January 24, 1964, in Lancaster, California, United States. She is a daughter of Sid and Mary Ellen (Vensel) Gonzalez.
1585 E 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
The University of Oregon where Maya Gonzalez studied creative writing.
1585 E 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
The University of Oregon where Maya Gonzalez studied creative writing.
Maya and Matthew, parents, co-founders of Reflection Press.
Maya Gonzalez tells children about her book.
(Against a background of vibrant folk paintings, Gloria An...)
Against a background of vibrant folk paintings, Gloria Anzaldua reinterprets, in a bilingual format, one of the most famous Mexican legends. In this version, Prietita discovers that la llorona is not what she expects, but rather a compassionate woman who helps Prietita on her journey of self-discovery.
https://www.amazon.com/Prietita-Ghost-Woman-llorona/dp/0892391677/?tag=2022091-20
1996
https://www.amazon.com/Laughing-Tomatoes-Jitomates-Risuenos-Primavera/dp/B005IXK60I/?tag=2022091-20
1997
(Maya, who lives in the dusty desert, opens her eyes wide ...)
Maya, who lives in the dusty desert, opens her eyes wide to find the colors in her world, from Papi's black hair and Mami's orange and purple flowers to Maya's red swing set and the fiery pink sunset.
https://www.amazon.com/Colors-World-Colores-English-Spanish/dp/0892392789/?tag=2022091-20
2007
(Gender Now is meant to provide reflection and support uni...)
Gender Now is meant to provide reflection and support unity by showing multiple genders standing together. It is a specific opportunity to create balance and awareness by including gender expressions that are under-represented in our current culture.
https://www.amazon.com/Gender-Now-Coloring-Book-Adventure/dp/0984379916/?tag=2022091-20
2010
(Maya Christina Gonzalez once again combines her talents a...)
Maya Christina Gonzalez once again combines her talents as an artist and a storyteller to craft a gentle, empowering story about belonging, connecting with nature, and becoming your fullest self. Young readers will be inspired to dream and reach, reach and dream . . . and to be as free and unique as trees.
https://www.amazon.com/Call-Llamame-arbol-English-Spanish/dp/0892392940/?tag=2022091-20
2014
(This book stands on its own, but it also serves as a grea...)
This book stands on its own, but it also serves as a great reference to expand gender in other books and media. They She He Me also pairs perfect with, The Gender Wheel, a story about Bodies and Gender for every body. Together these books offer a firm foundation of radical gender inclusion for parents, educators and caregivers to share with their kids.
https://www.amazon.com/They-She-He-Me-Free/dp/1945289090/?tag=2022091-20
2017
(Always pushing the limits of how children’s books can be ...)
Always pushing the limits of how children’s books can be used, Unfurling explores the possibility of what stories lay within the minds of our children and how to engage their creative agency through imagery.
https://www.amazon.com/Unfurling-Voice-Revolution-Heart-Anthology/dp/1945289015/?tag=2022091-20
2018
Maya Gonzalez was born on January 24, 1964, in Lancaster, California, United States. She is a daughter of Sid and Mary Ellen (Vensel) Gonzalez.
At the age of seven Maya Gonzalez had an accident which caused her to be in a coma for three days. When she recovered she found a pad of paper and colored pencils. This gift inspired her to start drawing. She also took classes at a local craft store.
Maya Gonzalez attended the University of Oregon where she studied creative writing from 1984 to 1987.
After Maya Gonzalez finished her studies she started to work as an artist and began creating her own art. She also taught “Fearless Art” at the University of Oregon and “Fearless Art for Kids” at Maude Kernes Art Center. Later she met Harriet Rohmer, the original founder of Children’s Book Press, who asked Maya if she would be interested in illustrating children's books. In 1994, Maya Gonzalez became an illustrator at Children’s Book Press and has illustrated over twenty books.
In 1996, Maya Gonzalez suffered from a toxic dose of chemicals in a print-making accident. It took a long time for her to recuperate. After recovering Gonzalez started to create more art and wrote her first book, My Colors, My World, that was published in 2007. She continued to write activity books for children. One of her last books was published in 2018. Besides, in 2009, Maya Gonzalez co-founded Reflection Press, an independent press that publishes radical and revolutionary children’s books, and works that expand spiritual and cultural awareness. In 2013, Maya co-created an online learning environment called School of the Free Mind about expanding the mind and reclaiming the creativity. Gonzalez teaches and presents workshops around the United States.
Maya Gonzalez is known as an American writer and illustrator, who is famous for her books for children. Gonzalez's art and books are focused on helping others build a sense of self and connection to others. Her most famous book is Call Me Tree: Llámame árbol, that became the best children's book in 2014.
Gonzalez received Americas Honor Award in 1994 and Américas Book Award Commended Title in 2009. She also received the Pura Belpré Award Honor Book for Illustration and Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award.
(Always pushing the limits of how children’s books can be ...)
2018(Maya, who lives in the dusty desert, opens her eyes wide ...)
2007(Maya Christina Gonzalez once again combines her talents a...)
2014(Against a background of vibrant folk paintings, Gloria An...)
1996(This book stands on its own, but it also serves as a grea...)
2017(Gender Now is meant to provide reflection and support uni...)
2010At age 20, Maya Gonzalez came out as part of the LGBT community. She calls herself queer Chicana artist.
Her illustrations and books for children include individuals who are not seen as often in books, such as gay characters and overweight characters. In her book, Call Me Tree, she doesn't use any gendered pronouns. Maya Gonzalez also created activity books that cover topics that are not often discussed in schools or at home, such as understanding gender. She also drew attention to the environmental problems.
Quotations: "That’s what I tell the kids when I go into the schools. Those empty spots are actually there so that we can draw ourselves in. We belong everywhere. Our face is important. It is a mark of who we are and where we come from. I work almost exclusively with children of color. Children with faces like mine. I teach the kids to claim all that they are: their face, their feelings, their ex-periences. And express that for all the world to share through art."
Physical Characteristics: Gonzalez has a unique, "high queer femme" sense of personal style that includes piercings and multiple tattoos.
González is married to Reflection Press co-founder, Matthew. She has two children.
