By
Amber Lanahan
Photography by
Katherine Kocian
When Deanna Salcido Gutierrez was creating her children’s book “El Paso Placita: A Tour for a Little Señorita,” one of her goals was to infuse every page with the essence of El Paso. “I have a lot of passion for El Paso and my culture,” she says. “I believe we have so much talent here that deserves recognition, which is why it was important that every aspect of the project be made and produced locally. We got pretty close, too; the only part of the book that wasn’t touched by El Paso was the printing.”
From her publisher to the artist who helped bring her creative vision to life, Salcido Gutierrez worked to highlight the beauty of El Paso and its culture; drawing from her personal memories and pairing them with vibrant visuals by illustrator Mozelle Espino.
A three-year labor of love, “El Paso Placita” is a heartfelt tribute to Salcido Gutierrez’s hometown and heritage.
Through the eyes of its youthful narrator, Little Señorita, readers are taken on a tour of beloved local landmarks as her parents guide her across the city. From San Jacinto Plaza to Chico’s Tacos, Little Señorita introduces readers to iconic spots deeply rooted in the community’s heart.
But creating a story that appeals to both children and adults came with its challenges, one of the biggest being the search for the right illustrator. That changed the day Salcido Gutierrez reached out to Mozelle Espino.
The two quickly formed a creative partnership that deepened their storytelling skills more than they expected.
“I had seen a lot of work from artists that matched the vision I had for my book,” Salcido Gutierrez recalls. “But it was really important for me to find someone local. I felt a local artist would best capture the vibe I was trying to portray.”
Espino turned out to be the perfect fit. The duo spent many late nights reviewing drafts and discussing how best to bring Salcido Gutierrez’s memories to life.
“I definitely had a vision for how I wanted things to look,” Salcido Gutierrez explains. “Like how my parents and I appeared. I even shared pictures of my childhood bedroom. If you look at it in the book, it’s just as it was when I was a kid – even the lighting. Mozelle was great about going back and making adjustments to get it just right.”
Recalling one particularly touching scene – where Little Señorita is being carried by her father – Espino shared the creative process behind it.
“When I asked her what the pose should be for that page, and she just said, ‘Oh, him carrying me,’ I thought, there are so many ways to carry a child. I needed a reference. I don’t have kids, so I started texting people and asking how they carry their kids. Everyone had a different answer! I sent Deanna a bunch of pose options until she sent me a photo of what she was envisioning.”
Salcido Gutierrez adds, “I’d gotten an image that still didn’t feel quite right, so I had my husband pick up our son and I snapped a photo to send her.”
Despite the occasional creative hurdle, the pair tackled each challenge with patience, humor, and a shared sense of purpose.
The book’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with a crowd of enthusiastic supporters turning out for the launch event.
“We had about 100 to 200 people show up,” Salcido Gutierrez says. “I think the most rewarding part has been seeing how excited people get when they recognize a place in the book. They’ll point and say, ‘Omg, it’s this place!’”
That joy and recognition extended to the creators, too.
Espino recalls a particularly meaningful moment while working on a musical page.
“I had so much fun with the mariachi page,” she shares. “When Deanna said she wanted that, I was like, ‘Oh my god, I worked there as a mariachi!’ So many memories came flooding back. I even included my director, who plays the violin, in the illustration. When I showed it to her, she was so excited.”
With such deep affection poured into every page, it’s no surprise Little Señorita’s charm has traveled far beyond El Paso. Orders have come in from across the U.S., including places as far away as Hawaii and Georgia.
When asked about future projects, Salcido Gutierrez revealed that she and Espino are already working on the next installment in the Little Señorita series.
“I think this next book is going to be even better,” Salcido Gutierrez says. “We’re going to be celebrating her birthday – and in doing so, giving readers a glimpse into Latino culture and how we go all out for birthdays.”
For Salcido Gutierrez, this work is more than storytelling: it’s a celebration of heritage.
Through “El Paso Placita: A Tour for a Little Señorita,” readers are welcomed into a city she adores and invited to see it through her eyes. Thanks to Espino’s vibrant illustrations and the heartfelt narrative, audiences of all ages have embraced this love letter to El Paso, helping it travel far beyond its West Texas roots.
