Las Tres Toronjas

Sandra is an international bilingual storyteller, educator, and author based out of El Paso, Texas. She is also a native Chicagoan from the vibrant Mexican American neighborhood of Pilsen. Sandra worked in education as a bilingual/dual language teacher for many years and is currently a Reading Specialist for the El Paso Independent School District. She fell in love with applied storytelling while taking a Golden Apple Foundation workshop in 2001 led by the late Syd Lieberman. She continued performing for her students and family throughout the years until she decided to hit the professional storytelling scene in 2017. Sandra has published two books based on her storytelling performances, The Hairy Hand Visits and ¿Quién es La Llorona? Her stories stem from a proud storytelling culture and tradition inspired by her family, especially her grandmothers, who were great tellers.

Las Tres Toronjas is a chapter book for upper elementary children. The Purépecha King of Michoacán strays from his warriors into a grapefruit orchard to quench his thirst. He discovers La Niña Encantada (the Enchanted Girl) when he cuts into a magical grapefruit. He realizes that this mystical being could be a great asset to his reign. Even though she is hesitant to leave her enchanted grapefruit, he eventually convinces her to become a part of his royal household. However, not everyone at his palace is happy with her presence. Envy and revenge lead to the Enchanted Girl's disappearance. The Purépecha King, Prince Irepan, and Arameni, the Enchanted Girl's best friend, join forces to bring her back. Along the way, they discover the maiden-in-waiting who betrayed the Enchanted Girl, fight the witch who cursed her, and establish bonds of friendship.