Unlike textbooks, literature allows teachers to differentiate for each learner's reading level and interest
- Literature is adaptable
to each student, allowing educators to create an engaging, interactive bilingual setting.
- Student interest plays a critical role in their academic success because it is the main ingredient needed for engagement.
- Once a student is interested and engaged in what they are learning, they’re naturally
more motivated. They want to read an d learn more!
We don't just have any old book. We curate literature to meet that psychosocial needs of dual language students!
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REFLECT
Literature so that students see themselves, their experiences, and their cultures reflected in the stories they read. This fosters a sense of belonging, self-worth, and cultural validation, crucial for positive identity development and mental well-being.
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EXPAND PERSPECTIVES
Literature that offering glimpses into the lives and worlds of others, promoting empathy, understanding, and challenging stereotypes. This expands readers' perspectives, fostering social awareness and cross-cultural connections.
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Transport and Transform
Literature that allows readers to enter and participate in imagined worlds, sparking imagination, creativity, and personal transformation. This can inspire action, encourage critical thinking about social issues, and motivate readers to challenge injustice.
Meet Our Founder
Heather Robertson-Devine, founder of Books del Sur, leads our mission to curate authentic Spanish literature from Latin America. With over 16 years of experience in dual-language education and extensive expertise in bilingual curriculum development, Heather is committed to fostering literacy for diverse learners. She has had the pleasure of sharing her work and experiences in various publications.
How it all began
Books del Sur was founded in 2009, when Heather Robertson-Devine was a dual language instructional resource teacher in Madison, Wisconsin. Her school community tasked her to increase the school’s Spanish book collection. Frustrated by the limited availability of titles, Robertson-Devine reached out to her international exchange brother, Ignacio Muñoz in Santiago, Chile to help her find more books!
Since that time, their work has greatly evolved. Robertson-Devine leads the company as the President and Muñoz leads the Acquisition and Purchasing Team. They work with over 100 domestic and international publishers to bring the highest quality Spanish literature to your dual language program. They do not do this alone, but with the Teacher Collaborative. Together, they carefully analyze and provide feedback on the relevance of each book in a dual language classroom. Each year their review rejects 15 - 20% of the titles and expands the cumulative collection by over 200 titles. These titles are then used to update and enhance our collections annually. Check out our collections in this catalog!
The Team
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Troy Devine, Executive VP
With 25 years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, Troy ensures our operations run smoothly. As Heather’s husband, he's been part of Books del Sur since the beginning and joined officially in 2022.
Hobbies: Sports, coaching, scuba diving, and fishing
Contact: troy@booksdelsur.com -
Colleen Farmakis, VP of Finance
Colleen brings 15 years of childcare experience to Books del Sur. Since joining in 2016, her dedication to our audience and organizational skills keep everything running smoothly.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, reading, and true crime
Contact: colleen@booksdelsur.com -
Ignacio Muñoz, VP of Purchasing
Ignacio oversees product development and acquisition, bringing over a decade of experience in product management. His journey with Books del Sur began when Heather started purchasing books for her school.
Languages: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Diving and family time
Contact: ignacio@booksdelsur.com -
Gary Ertl, VP of Operations
Gary joined Books del Sur in 2023, bringing years of management experience in the restaurant industry. His organizational skills ensure efficient handling and shipping of our products.
Hobbies: Coaching, sports, and reading
Contact: gary@booksdelsur.com -
Jimmy Moorhead, National Sales Manager
A veteran in both education and the book industry, Jimmy brings over 10 years of experience in dual language education and sales. His dedication to bilingual learning makes him a valuable addition to our team.
Languages: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Traveling, family, sports, and dual language education
Contact: jimmy@booksdelsur.com -
Jacque Oldenburg, National Sales Manager
With a background in bilingual education and administrative leadership, Jacque has been a vital part of Books del Sur since 2023, helping schools find the best resources for their programs.
Languages: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Time with family and friends
Contact: jacque@booksdelsur.com -
Wriel Chavira, Product Consultant
After years in the classroom as a bilingual teacher and district coordinator of migrant and bilingual programs. Wriel now leads the World Class Team ]to bring culturally relevant literature to his long time customers.
Territory: Arizona, New Mexico, and Northwest Texas.
Contact: wriel@worldclassed.me
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Annie Nguyen, Product Consultant
A long time operations expert with many educational products, Annie ensures multilingual programs have the products they need to meet all learners needs.
Territory: Arizona, Orange County, California, New Mexico, and Northwest Texas
Languages: Vietnamese and English
Contact: annie@worldclassed.me
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Carolina Duque, Product Manager
Based in Spain, Carolina curates products for Books del Sur, drawing on her experience as a community leader and researcher. She ensures we bring the best of Latin American literature to schools across the U.S.
Languages: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Reading, piano, cycling, and paddle
Contact: carolina@booksdelsur.com -
Tommy Peterson, Warehouse Supervisor
Tommy’s background in warehouse management makes him an excellent addition to our team. He ensures the smooth running of operations.
Hobbies: Family time, bowling, and pool
Contact: tommy@booksdelsur.com -
Vanessa Torres, Product Specialist
With a background in psychology and a passion for horticulture, Vanessa brings a unique perspective to the team. Her dedication and creativity make her an asset.
Languages: Spanish and English
Hobbies: Art, cooking, and gardening
Contact: vanessa@booksdelsur.com
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