Filipino American History Month: Interview with author Cristina Oxtra

I was thrilled to first meet children’s author, Cristina Oxtra, in May 2022 at the public library I work at. Cristina read her book, TAE KWON DO TEST, followed by a taekwondo demonstration with activities that the children participated in. Her storytime program was a hit! 

Since then, I’ve been in awe of Cristina, a Filipino American children’s author whose books range from early chapter books, middle grade historical fiction, graphic novels and biographies. In much of her work, Cristina highlights Filipino heritage, history and protagonists. 

Cristina’s books are everything I wish I had when I was growing up as a Filipino American child. Filipino representation wasn’t reflected in books or authors that I read, which put barriers in my mind of who I could be or what more I could pursue. Cristina’s books break those barriers and are celebrations of being true to yourself and the power of representation. 

Cristina’s picture book debut, WHAT LOLO WANTS, is a loving and endearing story of a young Filipino granddaughter, Maria, and her Lolo, which means ‘grandfather’ in Tagalog. With the backdrop of daily life in the Philippines, Maria and Lolo spend time drawing everything and anything together. When Lolo becomes unwell and communicating with words becomes difficult, Maria finds a way to connect with her beloved grandfather through their love of drawing. This is an important and moving story that opens up conversations with children about family changes and challenges.

I was excited when Cristina accepted my request to interview. We are ecstatic to share Cristina’s new book for Filipino American History month!

For those who are new to your work, can you introduce yourself and your writing background? 

I’m a proud Filipino American, born and raised in the Philippines. I also lived in England during my middle school years. My family and I have lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years.

I earned an MFA in creative writing for children and young adults and a BA in journalism. I’m a former journalist and former middle school-high school educator, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and a fulltime public relations professional. I have always enjoyed reading and writing since I was a child and I aspired to have a career related to writing. I write fiction and nonfiction for young readers, from picture books to middle grade.

You’ve written quite a number of wonderful and diverse books for youth, including chapter books, graphic novels, and non-fiction books. What inspired you to write for young readers? How has your own identity as a Filipino American influenced your writing? 

Representation matters. When I was growing up, I didn’t see myself in the books in the libraries or at school. So, today, I write stories that feature diverse characters and uplift diverse voices and, especially Filipino main characters. I want young Filipinos to see themselves in the books on the shelves. I want to show them that they can be the lead in the show, the star of the book. Not just another sidekick or the comic relief. I want them to know that they matter, that their culture, stories, and life experiences matter. They should be proud of who they are. And if they want to write about it, draw it, or use other creative means to express it, they should.

Big congratulations on your debut picture book, WHAT LOLO WANTS. I love your heartfelt story about Maria and her grandfather, Lolo, set in the Philippines. Can you share with us your inspiration to write WHAT LOLO WANTS? 

Lolo in the Tagalog language in the Philippines means grandfather.

This story was inspired by and is dedicated to my maternal grandfather, my Lolo. He was good at drawing, kind, and supportive of me. He always believed that I would do great things, even when I didn’t believe so myself.

He believed and dreamed I would one day go to the United States and have the opportunity to pursue any goals I had. Sadly, he passed away before my family and I immigrated to the U.S. I think it is fitting that my debut picture book is based on him and the special connection we had.

This story is also for my maternal grandmother who used to buy me children’s magazines that I read from cover to cover over and over again. She also used to take me to her work in the summers, where I used up so much paper, writing and drawing and dreaming of one day being published.

She said I would be a journalist one day, since I love to write and talk. After graduating from college in the U.S., I did become a journalist.

This book is my way of carrying within me my grandparents’ hopes and dreams for me and making them come true. As the story is read and shared with others, it is a way to remember them and have them live on within its pages. It is my thanks to them.

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful with mixed media art. The distinction and detail of Lolo and Maria’s pencil drawings against the colorful watercolor, crayon, and marker pictures are stunning. What was it like working with Jamie Bauza to illustrate WHAT LOLO WANTS? 

The illustrator, Jamie Bauza, is a Filipino artist based in the Philippines. She is brilliant and captured the essence of the story so well, along with wonderfully depicting aspects of our Filipino culture. I’ve never met Jamie and we didn’t work with each other directly on this book. This is normal in the book publishing world. I provided notes and examples of my ideas and vision for the illustrations to my editor and they were provided to Jamie. I didn’t provide too much because I wanted her to have creative freedom to interpret the story how she saw it through her illustrator lens. And the result speaks for itself.

WHAT LOLO WANTS featured so many delightful Filipino treats and dishes — from ube sorbets, longanisa, and pancit. I believe I even saw lumpia on a table next to Lolo. Masarap! What importance does food play in your story and what is your favorite Filipino dish?

I have two favorite Filipino dishes, lechon and sinigang. For desserts, anything with ube. Food is often incorporated or mentioned in almost all of my stories, including What Lolo Wants. I like cooking and baking. I’m a big fan of many cooking and baking-related TV shows and I’ve won a blue ribbon for baking at the county fair. Food is a great way to connect people.

When we want to spend time with people, we invite relatives to our home for the holidays, go to lunch or dinner with friends, or discuss business over a cup of coffee and pastry. Likewise, food can also be a way to relate and connect with readers. An author can use food to enrich a story, draw them into it, tantalize their senses, or introduce them to a new dish, and, in turn, perhaps the culture from which that dish comes from.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about WHAT LOLO WANTS? 

I hope this story helps families talk to their children about a family member’s illness, especially a grandparent’s, no matter what the illness may be. Yes, it is difficult and painful. But I believe children appreciate honesty and they deserve an explanation, along with comfort, reassurance, and support in helping them understand and cope. They will likely have questions and they should be given answers. They are smarter and stronger than adults think.

What are you working on next? How can we support your amazing work?

I have multiple projects in different stages. I have two picture books, a chapter book, and a middle grade. I used to draw editorial cartoons for my high school and college publications. After many years of not focusing on drawing, and after the release of What Lolo Wants, I’ve rediscovered my love for it, and I’m currently taking a cartooning class online. I hope to illustrate my own book one day.

As far as supporting my work, check out all my books. Visit my website to learn more. Write a review and share my books with your family, friends, and schools. Always keep reading throughout your life. Expand your literary horizon and read other genres. Learn about other cultures and topics that interest you. Pursue your goals.

And don’t forget to spend time with and say thanks to your grandparents.