Canela’s Adventures in the Rain Forest of Peru

Maria del Rosario (Charo) Basterra is an Educational Psychologist with more than thirty-five years of experience. A Fulbright recipient in 1979, she worked in several educational organizations including the Smithsonian Institution, and MAEC, an educational equity organization. She is currently the President of Basterra Consulting LLC where she provides consulting services in the areas of Culturally Responsive Education, Early Childhood, English Learners, and Family Engagement. Born and raised in Peru, she resides in Washington, DC since 1981. Lucia Basterra is a preschool teacher at the Spanish Education Development Center (SED) bilingual (English/Spanish) preschool program. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) diploma and has worked with young children since 2016. Passionate about child development and teaching, she enjoys interacting with her multicultural students. Maria del Carmen (Tati) Valle Riestra is an internationally recognized visual artist. She studied drawing and painting at the Art League School of Alexandria, Virginia. Her art has been exhibited in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Lima, Peru. A dancer since childhood, she holds a Bachelor in Science in Marine Biology from Guelph University, Canada and a Biology degree from Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Peru.

Enjoy THE ADVENTURES OF CANELA ("cinnamon," in English), a smart chocolate Lab, in the tropical forest of Peru. Marvel at her friendship with a boa constrictor named Caliente ("hot," in English) and the importance of keeping rivers free of pollution. MARÍA DEL ROSARIO (CHARO) BASTERRA is an Educational Psychologist. Her daughter, LUCIA BASTERRA, is a bilingual preschool teacher. Canela is their beloved dog. They live in Washington, D.C. TATI VALLE RIESTRA is an internationally renowned watercolor artist. She lives in Lima, Peru.