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LA BRUJA QUE NO FUE A LA ESCUELA

PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz JJR Marketing 630-441-6057 Jackie@jjrmarketing.com

Author Uses Friendly Witch to Share the Joy ofReading and Writing in New Spanish Book

“La Bruja Que No Fue a la Escuela”(Elgin, IL) October 4, 2016—How can a witch, a scary, frightening figure who shows up during Halloween, teach children about reading and writing?

Raul Castillo, an educator for over 30 years in Mexico and The United States, found a way thanks to an idea he had for a story along with some help from his third grade students. While engaging in a writing exercise with third graders in the Elgin School District 15 years ago, he created a story about a boy and a witch.

“During Halloween, the students would mention witches, “ says Castillo, a Spanish teacher at Elgin High School and Huntley, Illinois resident.

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The result was the Spanish book, “La Bruja Que No Fue A La Escuela” (The Witch Who Never Went to School). Written in Spanish for children ages 8 and up, the story describes a grandfather recalling a tale to his grandson of how the elder in his youth met a friendly witch who was in search of a school to develop reading and writing skills. Their encounter leads them to a local library where they discover the joy of reading and develop a friendship where the boy promises to help the witch in her quest for learning. The 13-page book is published by Fig Factor Media, LLC and contains color illustrations drawn by Patricia Sanchez, Castillo’s wife.

In Mexican culture, the days after Halloween are of special significance. Castillo says that in Mexico many observe a holiday called Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) that begins on Nov. 1 and ends on Nov. 2. Family and friends on this holiday remember their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries, cleaning and decorating their graves with marigolds and bringing food and favorite items as offerings.

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“We, in Mexico, don’t see the dead as being scary,” he explains. “We see the concept of death as another part of living. That is part of our culture and maybe that’s why the friendly witch came about for my story.”

Castillo has a dual message with his book: to impress on young Spanish-speaking readers that reading and writing is fun, useful and essential and to encourage Hispanic parents to support their children’s learning.

He dedicates the book to people who have learned to read and write as adults such as his mom who acquired these skills at age 50. He also mentions teachers in his dedication.

“All of us learn from a teacher so I also dedicated this book to those teachers who see their job as a passion, as a way of loving their students,” he says.

Para esta joven bruja, sus poderes mágicos no eran suficientes. Descubre en esta

tierna historia, qué le faltaba, y sé testigo de cómo unos libros pueden ser el puente

de amistad entre dos seres.

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As an educator in Mexico and The United States for over 30 years, Raul Castillo knows the important of education too well. A Spanish teacher at Elgin High School and a former elementary school teacher, he shares his message about the importance of reading and writing with his new book, “La Bruja Que No Fue A La Escuela” (The Witch Who Never Went to School). The 26-page book is published by Fig Factor Media, LLC and contains color illustrations drawn by Patricia Sanchez, Castillo’s wife.

For information about the book, visit www.rcontiveros.com.

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BOOK FACTSHEET

Title: La Bruja Que No Fue A La Escuela

Author: R. C. Ontiveros, Illustrations by Patricia Sanchez

Price: $13.99

Published: October 2017

Category: Fiction/Children

Language: Spanish

Genre: Children

Page Count: 26

Format: Soft Cover, 8 x 10 (20.32 x 25.4 cm)

ISBN-13:978-1537580753 (CreateSpace-Assigned)

ISBN-10: 1537580752

Website: www.rcontiveros.com

Learning how to read and write are important and critical tools for anyone to succeed in life. As an educator in Mexico and The United States for over 30 years, Raul Castillo knows this all too well.

Castillo, a Spanish teacher at Elgin High School and a former elementary school teacher, shares his message about the importance of reading and writing with his new book, “La Bruja Que No Fue A La Escuela” (The Witch Who Never Went to School). The 26-page book is published by Fig Factor Media, LLC and contains color illustrations drawn by Patricia Sanchez, Castillo’s wife.

Written in Spanish for children ages 8 and up, readers meet a grandfather recalling a tale to his grandson of how the elder in his youth met a friendly witch who was in search of a school. The witch, who had forgotten how to do her spells and tricks, thought the boy’s home was a school. Seeing her desire to develop reading and writing skills, the boy takes her to his local library where they discover new adventures through the many books on the shelves. Eventually, they realize that his house was once a school many years ago. In the end, the boy promises to teach the witch how to read and write if she comes to his house every day using library books for their studies.

LA BRUJA QUE NO FUE A LA ESCUELA

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Castillo believes in the power of education and his love of writing began as a child when he wrote his dreams and thoughts in journals. With this book, he impresses on young Spanish speaking

readers that reading and writing is useful, fun and essential. At the same time, he gently encourag-es the Hispanic parents of those readers to support their education.