Maria Twena: No Longer In-Between

Bilingual in America

Bilingual children’s book author Maria Twena is a second-generation Latina, who felt very much like an outsider while growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana where she was balancing two languages and two cultures. Maria is the creator of the book series, MariVi: The Master Navigator, which will now also be featured as an animated series for TV.

Through her longitudinal book series, Maria gives bilingual/bicultural children, like herself, a place where they can authentically see themselves, exercising the role that they often play in their families. Listen in to hear her thoughts on the collectivist ethos, culture clash, and being a Sherpa for her parents.