Luso-American Children’s Author Andrea Nunes Inspires Young Students at Escola Luís de Camões

On Friday, October 11, the students of Escola Luís de Camões in Warren, NJ, were treated to an inspiring visit from acclaimed Luso-American children’s book author Andrea Nunes. The excitement was palpable as students gathered in the packed hall, eagerly awaiting the author’s arrival. To show their appreciation, the children welcomed her with a heartfelt rendition of the Portuguese national anthem, filling the room with pride and a strong sense of community.

Andrea Nunes, known for her unique storytelling style that intertwines both English and Portuguese, read several of her popular books to the students. The children were captivated throughout, as her books, primarily written in English, cleverly incorporate strategically placed Portuguese words to facilitate language learning. This innovative approach kept the students fully engaged, encouraging them to explore the Portuguese language in a fun and relatable way.

Following the readings, a lively Q&A session allowed the young readers to ask Andrea about her inspirations, writing process, and experiences as an author. The students’ curiosity and enthusiasm were evident in the range of thoughtful questions they posed, further highlighting the impact of the visit.

This event is part of a series of initiatives by Escola Luís de Camões aimed at instilling a love for the Portuguese language and culture in its students. By introducing them to influential figures like Andrea Nunes, the school continues to nurture a passion for learning Portuguese in a dynamic and engaging way.

Andrea Nunes’ visit not only entertained but also left a lasting impression, reinforcing the joy of bilingual learning.

Andrea Nunes Books

About Andrea Nunes

Andrea Nunes was born and raised in New Jersey to Portuguese parents, both native to the Serra da Estrela region in Portugal. Her upbringing was a blend of American culture and rich Portuguese traditions, instilled by her family and the vibrant community around them. She was and continues to be deeply connected to her Portuguese heritage and growing up she fostered it by being as involved in the local community as possible. Growing up, she was part of numerous non-profit and community organizations, such as the Elizabeth Portuguese Lions Club and the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee, among others. This filled a desire to help the community while celebrating her Portuguese roots.

As a young adult, she graduated from Rutgers University, where she pursued a degree in Political Science with a minor in English. Rutgers provided a motivational environment to further explore interests in politics, culture, and writing. 

Growing up, Andrea sometimes felt straddled between two worlds…the world her parents grew up in and the world she was trying to navigate on her own. During these times, she took to writing as a form of expressing thoughts and emotions in a creative way. Throughout her adolescent years, Andrea participated in various opportunities revolving around literature and writing to showcase her work. 

She went on to graduate from Rutgers University, where she pursued a degree in Political Science with a minor in English. Rutgers provided a motivational environment to further explore interests in community, culture, and writing. 

Years later, motherhood introduced a new dimension to Andrea’s life, prompting her to seek ways to make her writing and love for it more purposeful yet. This led to the creation of a series of bilingual books aimed at teaching Portuguese to young children in 2020. Drawing from a love for poetry, a pride in her heritage, and personal disappointment in a cancelled 2020 flight to see family in Portugal and have them meet her oldest daughter, she decided it was time to bring purpose to the passion and emotion. That is when the book series, Stella Learns Portuguese, came to be.

Currently, the series consists of four self-published books, each designed to be predominantly in English with strategically placed Portuguese words to facilitate language learning. They are written in rhyming, poetic form to aid in committing words to memorization (and to be a fun lyrical way to learn!) These books are not just stories but also tools for parents who want to pass on their heritage to their children in an engaging and educational manner. The process of writing, illustrating, and publishing these books has been a labor of love, blending professional skills with a passion for writing and culture. 

Andrea’s journey has been rooted in a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact in her Portuguese community, all while navigating motherhood and passing cherished traditions and knowledge on to her two daughters. Each step has been guided by values of community, heritage, and family. As she continues to navigate her career and personal passions, she remains dedicated to creating and contributing in ways that honor her roots and inspire future generations.