Susan.Middleton Elya author page

Susan Middleton Elya biography

Susan Middleton Elya is an American author known for her picture books that often incorporate Spanish language and culture. She began her writing career after working as a teacher, drawing on her classroom experiences to create stories that introduce young readers to bilingual vocabulary and multicultural themes. Elya’s books are frequently illustrated by well-known artists and are used in educational settings to support language learning.

Her debut picture book, Say Hola to Spanish, was published in 1996. Since then, she has authored numerous titles, including Eight Animals Bake a Cake, Home at Last, and La Princesa and the Pea. Many of her works blend English and Spanish, providing context and rhyme to help children understand new words. Elya’s books have been recognized for their educational value and are included in school and library collections across the United States.

In 2018, La Princesa and the Pea, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, received the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.