Though author and communications specialist Jamie Aranda left the state for college as so many young folks do, the call of New Mexico ultimately proved too strong and brought her back home some years ago. A native Santa Fean from a multi-generational Northern New Mexico family, Aranda tells SFR that Santa Fe is decidedly home, and that’s at least part of why she wrote the new children’s book Zozo’s Adventure and the Flame of Hope. The tale of a perspicacious youth named Zozo and his quest to embrace the traditions of the area—not least of which being Zozobra himself—Aranda’s book also features illustrations by her sister Nicole.
Zozo’s Adventure and the Flame of Hope is out now, and Aranda and her sister will preside over a launch party and reading event alongside family friendly vendors this week in the community courtyard space at DeVargas Center (3:30-5:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 29. Free. 564 N Guadalupe St., arandatales.com). We spoke with Aranda to learn more. This interview has been edited for clarity and concision.
Is the character of Zozo inspired by you, your sister, your twin daughters? Some or none of that?
I think Zozo is more inspired by my daughters in the way that they were brought into the world. It was pretty complicated, and when we were finally able to bring them home from the hospital, they were really fascinated by all the everyday things we brought in front of them—particularly this Zozobra figurine we had in their room. The character was inspired by finding the meaning of that.
I know how complicated it can be for kids to go to Zozobra, and actually it can be quite frightening the first time. I thought [a book] was a great way to introduce Zozobra to kids. I mean, I remember taking my young cousins and they were frightened.
And it’s not just for my girls, but for the community. Growing up we would go to Zozobra almost every year. I lived out of the state for some years, then came back and would go to Zozobra. Now that I have kids…my girls are still young for that, they’re 2 years old. We won’t take them to the burning, but we’re going to take them on that morning to watch Zozobra get put up. But they love the book. It’s really cute to watch them. There’s a part in the book where Zozo meets his feathery, furry, fuzzy friends, and [my daughters] love animals, so they flip straight to that page.
Is the book about making a deeper connection to the state?
A deeper connection to our Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico culture. We bring some Spanish words into the book, some traditional food into the book, plus animals native to New Mexico. We mention the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and a lot of the pictures depict these important places. I was so excited to leave Santa Fe and I took the opportunity to leave for school, but then I really did miss green chile and family. I was living in Portland, Oregon, too, so I also missed the sun.
I think there is pride here and I love that people also enjoy what we have here—and it’s people from all over. And part of this book is meant to share some of our cultural traditions and very special parts of our community with a larger group of folks. And a lot of the people buying the book are in Colorado or Texas. It’s another piece to the story—how can we tell our story of culture and traditions and share that with other folks who are interested? I feel like progress is inevitable, but how do we cherish these important parts that make our community unique? I hope this book is a way for people to…read the story with their kids then talk about memories and other traditions. There are other smaller family traditions that used to take place or still do around this time of year, we should talk about cultural traditions we’ve been practicing.
Do you have any plans for a follow-up?
I already have ideas for a second book that would expand more to New Mexico as whole. I lived in southern New Mexico for two years, and it was great and I do still have dear friends down there who are like family. But there are things [Northern New Mexico people] do do different. Our entire state is so unique when it comes to landscape, culture, history and even tales—the stories we tell. I think that’s something to expand upon in the next book and show appreciation for the other beautiful parts of the state. I think my sister is dreading this next one because it will be a little more of a challenge for her with some of the ideas I have.
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