Author and alum Valerie Williams-Sanchez (English B.A. '92) on the power of diverse narratives

January 10, 2025

Letters & Science

Valerie Williams-Sanchez, Ph.D., is a UC Berkeley alum who graduated with an English degree in 1992. Today, Valerie is a consultant, researcher, publisher, and creator of the children’s picture book series, Cocoa Kids Collection®.

In this interview, Valerie shares the inspiration for her self-published series, Cocoa Kids Collection, which centers minority and multiracial children as they "tackle big issues with wit, whimsy, and chocolate." Read on to learn how Valerie's experience at UC Berkeley has influenced her work and research, and to find out what she has in store for readers on the horizon

How have changes in technology influenced storytelling?

Things have evolved significantly since I began my series. Technology has made storytelling more accessible, with free or reduced-cost online resources and print-on-demand services has made self-publishing easier. Even broadscale distribution in commercial spaces has been made easier now that there are greater opportunities to share diverse experiences, resulting in a wider array of published works and projects. The momentum for inclusive, self-published narratives continues to grow, fueled by evermore frequent book bans, a collective desire for representation, growing awareness of the need, and advancements in digital tools.

How did your undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley shape your career path?

As an English major at UC Berkeley, I discovered the transformative power of diverse narratives. Analyzing literature with esteemed professors like Barbara Christian, Celeste Langan, Morton Paley, Roy Thomas, Genaro Padilla, and Pier Gabrielle Foreman, broadened my worldview. Returning home to Southern California, the suburban reality I had known felt exclusionary compared to the rich, inclusive perspectives I had encountered at Cal. I credit my undergraduate experience with sharpening my critical thinking and deepening my appreciation for storytelling. While I initially aspired to become a lawyer, my exposure to literature and journalism led me to pursue a career focused on the written word. My studies at Cal taught to me read deeply. Later, at Columbia University, is where I really learned to write. Together, those experiences seeded my understanding of literacy which I cultivated through doctoral study at Saint John’s University, New York. All told, these were my foundational tools for communication, creativity, and connection.

woman with joyful expression in room full of children

What inspired you to write your book series?

In my series thesis(link is external) and original blog post, “Revaluing Children of Color’s Lives Through Children’s Literature,” which I penned in about 2015, I discussed the dearth of diversity in children’s picture books at the time. These early findings led to my dissertation research in which I further quantified the prevalence of anthropomorphic and non-human objects in picture books, by comparison to picture books with stories of real people of color.

The skew in character representation was one I had first observed when my daughter was school-aged, and we were looking for books for her. It happened again later, with my nephew. The dearth of representative titles sparked me to learn more about publishing and to push for change. As I learned more, I felt compelled to address in some way that scarcity.

As an empty nester, I found the time to take action and to pursue this passion, self-publishing stories rooted in my family’s narratives and mythologies. Picture books fascinated me because they combined my two loves—words and images. My aim was to ensure more representation in books and to give children a richer, reflective literary experience.

What do you hope readers take away from your books?

I hope readers experience a sense of wonder and whimsy. Through Isaiah and the Chocolate Mountain© and its successors, Lorena’s Magic Mirror© and Eddie and the Hot Cocoa Hot Rod©, I aim to create literacy-empowered moments of connection between children and their caregivers. My books include interactive guides to encourage meaningful discussions and spark curiosity. Beyond the stories themselves, I want families to cherish the shared experience of reading and view it as a pathway to learning and bonding. These narratives celebrate family and our collective and shared experiences momentous and mundane, offering young readers and their parents positive foundation to use reading and storytelling to navigate their worlds.

Picture books fascinated me because they combined my two loves—words and images. My aim was to ensure more representation in books and to give children a richer, reflective literary experience.

Valerie Williams-Sanchez, Ph.D.

woman giving presentation to schoolchildren

My goal is to foster a strong sense of identity, increased reverence for childhood and cultural beauty earlier in kids’ lives, equipping them to better handle the challenges, pressures and perils of adolescence.

Valerie Williams-Sanchez, Ph.D.

What other projects are you currently working on?

Immediately, I am developing a program around Lorena’s Magic Mirror that focuses on girlhood and body image for young girls, particularly for young women of color. This work addresses how societal perceptions can prematurely rob Black girls of their youth and childhood experiences through adultification, a type of bias that skews how people perceive these girls, leading them to be viewed as more "grown up" than they really are. My goal is to foster a strong sense of identity, increased reverence for childhood and cultural beauty earlier in kids’ lives, equipping them to better handle the challenges, pressures and perils of adolescence. Nutrition, personal empowerment, and self-care and body awareness are central to this effort. By starting conversations about body image and self-worth, I hope to support healthy child development for young women that give them options for what womanhood and feminine beauty can be, beyond what they often see in the media and to encourage adults to better understand the needs of the children in their care.

More, my literacy practice touches on three disciplines: 1) culture, 2) medicine and health, and 3) reading literacies. I’m frequently and increasingly weaving the three areas of concentration into my journal work and research. So, I'm also very pleased to share that I will be speaking at Oxford University in April 2025 for the World Literacy Summit(link is external) on the conference theme: Bridging Literacies – Connecting Worlds.

What’s on your bookshelf right now?

I’m currently working on Lovely One, by Ketanji Brown Jackson, Likeable Badass, by Alison Fragale, Ph.D., and I Am Loved, by Nikki Giovanni. Most recently though, I completed reading The Three-Year Stumble, which is a delightful Korean fable that has been translated into Spanish and illustrated by Dayeon Auh. It’s a heartwarming tale of a girl who helps her grandfather reimagine his future. The cultural and linguistic layers of this story enriched the reading experience, connecting me to a broader global narrative. All are research for the new Lorena project in one way or another, as are titles I am constantly buying to expand my library of picture books in support of my ongoing research and projects. Exploring diverse stories continues to inspire and inform my work.

How can people follow you and your work?

Yes, here are my websites:

Here are my social media accounts: