Free Guide How to use the Witch and practice Spanish at home.
Event at the Polin - Presidio
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The story behind the Story...
Where this story was born
Have you been to El Polín?
“Loritos,” my outdoor nature-based program for young children (2-5), begins its journey at magical El Polín Spring. When we arrive, we hear the magical sounds of birds, frogs and the gentle water of the creek calling us to play. We gather in our special open space beneath a tree.
One day, we noticed two leaves with drops of water that looked exactly like eyes. A child said, “Those are eyes watching us!” And truly, they did look like eyes. I smiled and said, “Maybe they are watching because our food is so yummy, and they want to see how well we eat.”
Nearby, we heard the beautiful chorus of frogs. It sounded as if they were singing from the wetlands of the Presidio of San Francisco.
We love the park’s wetlands. We go there to practice yoga, explore nature, and witness the incredible ecological restoration taking place. It is wonderful to see native species returning home, thriving once again in their natural habitat.
With little ones, Spanish is not taught. Spanish is lived.
This book is a powerful tool for young Spanish learners because it connects language with real life, movement, nature, and curiosity. Children do not simply memorize vocabulary — they experience it.
Many words feel familiar and approachable, making Spanish less intimidating and more natural for beginners. For example:
A mí me gusta la pizza.
A mí no me gusta la ensalada.
A mí me gustan las galletas.
Without pressure, children start understanding how the verb gustar works while talking about foods they truly know and love.
The story also introduces practical everyday vocabulary connected to meals and routines: desayuno, almuerzo y merienda-cena.
Children become active observers of the world around them by asking questions such as:
¿Qué es eso?
¿Es un pájaro o una culebra?
¿Es un halcón o un cuervo?
¿Es un búho o una paloma?
¿Es un río o un avión?
The book encourages listening and sound exploration, helping children connect language with the sounds of birds, frogs, wind, water, and city life. This playful interaction strengthens comprehension and pronunciation in an organic way. At the same time, the book teaches important social and environmental values:
Do not accept food from strangers.
Eat healthy foods.
Respect wildlife.
Do not feed animals in the Presidio of San Francisco.
Clean up after eating so animals do not become dependent on human food.
What was the process?
This book is the twin sister of 5 Patitos y los Bisontes del Golden Gate — born from the same magic: turning an idea into a real classroom experience.
Every story begins with children. I look for visuals, movement, sounds, and imagination that can truly connect with them. In this case, I created my own little witch and fairy, along with five playful frogs chasing flies. Then came my mamaestra magic glove tool… and it was ready for testing.
I read the story once. The next class, I changed parts of it. I added things, removed things, listened to the children’s reactions, watched what made them laugh, what made them curious, and what helped them speak Spanish naturally. By the fifth class, the book was alive.
If it is fun, children learn.
Finally, during Christmas break in December 2025, I sat down and wrote it. Now you can see the entire journey: from the first classroom drafts, to the illustrations, to the book layout and editing. It took five months to bring this story to life.
And this final stage is never easy. There are so many edits, so many suggestions, and a wave of emotions behind every decision. A couple of tears came down too — because creating books for children is not only work; it is love, memory, imagination, and hope all together on paper.
AI?
Most of my earlier books and music were created before AI 2020, with real voices, musicians, and my original work. Back then, editing and translation were VERY expensive.
For this project, I use AI only to support translations and clarity—the story and illustrations remain fully original by Susana, Argentinean Illustrator.
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CE is an educator, and cultural bridge-builder dedicated to early childhood language learning. Originally from Ecuador and now based in San Francisco, she integrates nature, play, and storytelling to create meaningful Spanish-learning experiences for young children.
After exploring disciplines such as acting, clowning, stand-up, and ventriloquism, CE discovered storytelling as a powerful way to connect with her inner child and with others and teach languages with the intuitive grammar method. Her work is rooted in the belief that language is not just taught—it is lived through experience, imagination, and emotion.
Through her initiative, Retobilingüismo, she is committed to expanding access to books and bilingual education, especially in rural communities in Ecuador where resources are limited. Her stories are inspired by everyday moments in nature and aim to spark curiosity, creativity, and a deep respect for the environment.
As an author and educator, CE continues to build bridges between cultures, empowering children through language, stories, and joyful learning.
Pasta Gruesa
Available after June 30th
Coming soon...
Request Directly to us...
$24.99
per book
I don’t speak Spanish fluently, but this book made me feel confident reading and learning with my child. The San Francisco setting makes it even more special—it feels like our own story.
- Sarah Smith
Need help?
Don't worry, I got you. Here are some answers for your questions.
You can purchase the book directly from us for local delivery in San Francisco, or order it online through Amazon 19.99 plus shipping. Buying directly supports our program and community $30 dollars or $25 in our events.
You can bring Mamaestra storytelling to your school through a live session, workshop, or ongoing program. We offer a complimentary demo so you can experience how children learn Spanish through stories, movement, and nature. Contact us to schedule a visit. 415 610 0583
The Mamaestra workbook is available through our website or by direct order it is free and you need to print it. It includes guided pages for parents and creative activities for children to practice Spanish at home.
Our storytelling videos are shared with our community after registration. Once you join a session or program, you will receive access to videos, audio, and learning materials. We are in the process of producing it. COMING...
Our program is designed for children ages 2–8, as well as parents, nannies, and educators who want to introduce Spanish in a natural, playful, and meaningful way.
Volunteers for events
If you’d like to collaborate on the launch, let’s make it bigger, fun, and unforgettable for the children.
Join me, share your ideas, and let’s create something beautiful together. I’d love for us to collaborate and grow as a community. [email protected] or text me at 415 610 0583.
Intuitive grammar offers a natural and engaging approach to teaching language at home, allowing children to acquire structure through meaningful use rather than memorization.
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