What does it mean for a child to open a book and see someone who looks like them dreaming big?
In Season 3, Episode 3 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with Emmanuel “Manny” Taveras, a Bronx educator, children’s book author, musician, and father, for an honest conversation about representation, creativity, and believing your story belongs.
Emmanuel shares the inspiration behind To Get to the Moon and Sammy Explores New York City, including why he wanted a Latino boy with curly hair at the center of the adventure. He also reads To Get to the Moon, a story about perseverance, friendship, and pursuing a dream even when others aren’t ready to help.
Together, Luz and Emmanuel explore self-publishing, finding the right illustrator, imposter syndrome, Dominican identity, and the experience of belonging between cultures. They reflect on how culturally familiar characters and settings can help Latino children feel seen and imagine themselves as authors, explorers, and creators.
Filled with humor and encouragement, this conversation reminds us to recognize how far we’ve come while making room for the stories still waiting to be told.
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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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