Marta Arrollo remembers that in December, her mother, Doña Concha, always prepared tamales for Christmas and the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

    Her tamales, ranging from cheese with chili to beef, were the most sought after in the city of Firebaugh, in the San Joaquin Valley, California

    “My mom’s tamales were her way of helping the community, were her way of sharing her love with everyone around her,” Arrollo said. “They were delicious, the way she prepared the ingredients, but most of all, it was that she made them with love.”

    As a tribute to the flavor and the love of her mother, Arrollo a few weeks ago published a bilingual children’s book, “The Story of Señora Tamales/El cuento de la Señora Tamales,” which tells the story of a lady hare dedicated to delight her children and neighbors with her delicious tamales.

    Just like Arrollo’s mother, Señora Tamales is very loved by family and neighbors, and like her father, Señor Manuel, Señora Tamales’ husband, works in the cotton fields.

    The book is written in plain language, and published with the English version next to the text in Spanish.

    “I wanted to reach more children and parents. I wanted them to take the book and be able to read both languages, comparing the words,” said Arroyo, who lives in Oceanside.

    The book includes beautiful illustrations by the artist and art teacher in Carlsbad, Marsha Hawes. The animals, which include the family of the hare Señora Tamales, the raccoon Señor Rodolfo, the rabbit Mrs. Cotton-Tail, are full of color, something that will attract young readers.

    The story was inspired by the great party that was at home every time her mom made tamales, said Arroyo, who retired in 2006 from her job as a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Carlsbad.

    “She used to make tamales regularly, not just on special occasions,” said the author. “She had a passion for cooking for people. Our house was always filled with family visits.”

    The text is written for children six and older, although younger children will love the colorful illustrations and direct but interesting story.

    Arroyo has begun to promote the book to schools in San Diego County, hoping that school districts and libraries will adopt it to their curriculum or add it to their collections.

    Her first book, “La fiesta y el mariachi,” was published in 2007, and she told the story of a girl who attends a party in her hometown, where loud sounds of mariachi music fill the air.

    After retiring as a teacher in 2006, Arrollo decided to realize her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.

    Arroyo encourages parents and grandparents to write their own stories.

    She said that every time she visits schools and libraries to read her book to the children and parents, she asks the audience: “Who’s the Señora Tamales in your life?”

    “We can all write stories for children. Everyone has a story inside us. It is the ideal gift for our children and grandchildren.”

    “The Story of Señora Tamales / El cuento de Señora Tamales” is the way Arrollo captures part of her mother’s life for her own children and grandchildren.

    “It’s just one aspect of the life of my mother, is a bit of everything good that she did in the world,” Arrollo said.

    “The Story of Señora Tamales / El cuento de Señora Tamales” is available at  and www.barnesandnoble.com. Marta Arrollo is available to visit schools and libraries in North San Diego County.