Ricardo Castillo

I have kept an afternoon of Hansel and Gretel followed by The Three Little Pigs in my chest of treasured childhood memories. My aunt read those two to me one day, and ever since then, I began to appreciate good stories. With Fire Drops, I seek to recreate the magic of awe I felt as a child, to explore concepts such as tolerance and diversity, and to highlight some aspects of everyday life in my native land.

At the time I grew up in the Dominican Republic, cows pulling milk wagons were common. Eating coconut rice and beans for lunch every day was the norm. Bitilla and batting broomsticks were not fiction. In fact, it may still be the reality for some children today. I grew up hearing and telling stories, laughing and running around. School started at seven in the morning and ended at noon, allowing time for lunch at home. We would play in the rain, eat wild cherries and almonds, and name our chickens and ducks. I assure you this was no farm life; we lived in the city.

I moved to the United States at the age of 11, graduated from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, and became a teacher. During my career as a teacher, I taught music, P.E., computer science, and middle school science. For the latter part of my career, expanding about thirteen years, I taught mathematics—certainly, a far cry from literature, but who does not love a good story? I truly hope you enjoy this first chapter of Fire Drops.

Your book-writing friend,

rEE