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

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with author Tony Plata to discuss the inspiration behind his children's books Weekend with Papi and The Sweetness of My Island. Together, they explore fatherhood, co-parenting, cultural identity, Puerto Rican history, and the importance of preserving family stories for future generations.

Tony shares his journey from first-time author to self-published creator, the challenges of bringing books to life, and why every family has a story worth telling. This heartfelt conversation highlights the power of representation, oral history, and creating books that help children see themselves and their communities reflected on the page.

✨ Topics discussed:

📚Fatherhood and co-parenting

📚Puerto Rican heritage and migration stories

📚Preserving family history through books

📚Self-publishing and children's literature

📚Turning books into 2D animations

📚Why diverse stories matter

If you enjoy conversations about books, culture, family, and storytelling, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

📚 Featured Books: Weekend with Papi, The Sweetness of My Island

🎙️ About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast celebrates the authors, illustrators, creators, and storytellers whose work helps fill the gaps on our bookshelves and in our communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #TonyPlata #ChildrensBooks #PuertoRicanAuthors #FamilyStories #RepresentationMatters #LatinoBooks #Fatherhood #SelfPublishing #LuzMariaMack #DiverseBooks #LiteracyMatters #WeekendWithPapi #TheSweetnessOfMyIsland