We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Lee Santamaria, the driving force behind the bilingual children’s book series, DLee’s World. Diana’s journey as an author and storyteller has been one of resilience, dedication, and a profound commitment to early and bilingual literacy, diversity in literature, and the joy of reading.

In this conversation, Diana takes us through her career, highlighting the challenges she faced in transforming her passion for early childhood education into a thriving business. Her story is a testament to the power of authenticity, perseverance, and continuous learning.

Diana also treats us to a local’s guide to Staten Island, NY, offering recommendations for a memorable day of relaxation, great food, and cultural exploration.

Read below for more:

Hi Diana, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Embarking on a new endeavor demands significant effort and mental resilience. Just like anything else, growth and success require time and nurturing. In my path as an author and storyteller, moments arise when I contemplate persevering or quitting. Yet, my response remains constant: keep going because this is your passion. Then I remind myself of the reasons I’m doing this, to promote early and bilingual literacy, diversity in literature and reading made fun-and with that, I have to keep trying. It’s with these intentions that I continue my efforts. A quote that stuck with me is “Do it with love, and the rest will follow.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My journey to where I am today professionally with DLee’s World has been a rewarding yet challenging one. It certainly wasn’t an easy path, but overcoming the challenges has been an essential part of my growth. Initially, I faced the hurdle of transforming my personal passion for early childhood education and bilingual literacy into a viable business. Balancing creative pursuits with the practicalities of running a business required a steep learning curve.

To surmount these challenges, I embraced a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. I sought guidance from mentors, attended workshops, and honed my business acumen. Persistence and resilience were key as I navigated obstacles and setbacks, learning to view them as opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks.

 

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons. One of the most significant is the importance of staying true to my vision and passion. Remaining authentic in my pursuit of promoting bilingual and early literacy, diversity, and reading enjoyment has resonated with my audience and kept me motivated.

I want the world to know that DLee’s World is more than just a brand—it’s a reflection of my personal journey and the determination to make a positive impact. My story, shaped by overcoming childhood illiteracy and fueled by a desire to empower young minds, is at the heart of everything I do. The brand represents not only education but also diversity and cultural celebration, offering children a space to learn, relate, and grow.

In essence, my path hasn’t been without its challenges, but each hurdle has been a stepping stone towards realizing my vision. The lessons I’ve learned underscore the importance of authenticity, perseverance, and continuous learning. I want readers and viewers to see DLee’s World as a beacon of empowerment and education, where every child can discover the joy of reading, embrace their unique identity, and embark on a lifelong journey of learning.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I live in Staten Island, NY. If I wanted to show my best friend a good time, my itinerary would include:

– A trip to Governors Island for a spa day at QC NY Spa. Then we’d take the ferry ride to the city. Walk around battery park and since I’m a big kid at heart, take a ride on the seaglass carousel, grabbing some fresh lemonade or ice tea along the way.

– After we’d grab lunch at a restaurant that I used to work at that makes great food and drinks called Banc Cafe. Depending on the day and time, they have live bands or a DJ.

– For dinner we can head back to Staten Island and grab food in Urby at either Seppe’s or Pastavino’s restaurants. Both have delicious Italian food, drinks and yummy desserts. Urby is located on the northern shore of Staten Island, right on the water, Pastavino’s specifically has a beautiful view of the water and bridge.

– Afterwards, maybe we would walk off our dinner at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, which is such a hidden gem on SI. There is even one of my favorite ice cream shops called Eggers Icecream Parlor within Snug Harbor that are known for their delicious ice creams, one of my favorite treats!

– Later, we’d head back to my house to just kick back and watch a movie.

There are so many things to do in NY so there is really so much that can be done. But maybe this would be day 1. 😆

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Absolutely, there are a few individuals and groups that deserve a special shoutout for their contributions to my journey with DLee’s World. First and foremost, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to all my former students that have inspired me to be the best educator I can be and have led me on this journey as an author and storyteller.

I’d also like to recognize the support of my family and friends who have been there every step of the way, encouraging me to pursue my dreams and making sacrifices to help me achieve my goals. Their unwavering belief in me has been instrumental in turning my vision into reality.

Additionally, the local television station that partnered with me to broadcast my storytime videos deserves credit for amplifying the reach of my message and fostering a love for reading among even more children and families.

Website: www.dleesworld.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dleesworld

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/diana-lee-santamaria-58741ba1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dleesworld

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DianaLeeSantamaria

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dleesworld?_t=8fC9oZcSOZm&_r=1

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.