LOWRIDER FOR SALE

Published by Mariana Ríos Ramírez on August 26, 2026

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Welcome to the blog, Laura! I’m delighted that today we get to share this conversation about your debut picture book LOWRIDER FOR SALE, which is illustrated by Vanessa Morales and will be published by Disney-Hyperion on September 8th, 2026. Your book birthday is so close!

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A bit about LOWRIDER FOR SALE:

Gabi knows that Papi’s lowrider, Pico Nights, is more than a car. It’s a family scrapbook on wheels—a treasure trove of memories for her, Papi, and Abuelo Chucho. It chauffeured Gabi’s cousin to her quinceañera, rolled through years of Fourth of July parades, and was detailed most Saturday mornings by Gabi, Papi, and Abuelo. So when Papi places a FOR SALE! sign on Pico Nights, Gabi tries everything she can to save their beloved car. While Gabi offers her own money, organizes a community fundraiser, and even enters Pico Nights in a car show to try and combat the inevitable, she comes to realize that even though their time with Pico Nights may not last forever, the memories they’ve made in it will.

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Now on to our interview:

M. Laura congratulations on your soon to be published book! How exciting! It’s adorable! Can you share what inspired you to write this story featuring a lowrider? (So unique btw!) Does it come from personal experience? Why was it important for you to write THIS particular story?

L. For years, I’ve wanted to write a story that honored my dad, who passed away when I was only eight years old. My dad is the main inspiration for this story. But when I wrote the story, I knew I wanted to incorporate other aspects of my culture, like the secret language of Pachucos—known as Caló. Words like carucha (old car), órale (hey, right on, okay), simón (yes)—words that were part of my dad’s vocabulary. Even today, when I hear someone use those words, they remind me of him. Unfortunately, I ended up cutting most of those words in earlier drafts. These words ended up not being the something I wanted to focus on. Still, I wanted to include a part of the community where I grew up—something culturally meaningful.

I needed to add something that could bring all the important elements together. Something rooted in my Chicano culture that I rarely see celebrated in picture books. I’m from Los Angeles, where car culture is woven into everyday life. Where it’s not unusual to see a convoy of pristine vintage cars cruising the boulevard on a Sunday afternoon or stumbling upon a spontaneous car club gathering in a park filled with music, laughter, and community. My appreciation for classic cars comes from my family. Both my parents loved them. My mom, who still lives in the Los Angeles area, is always sending me photos of interesting cars she spots around town. Those cars, the culture surrounding them, and the memories they carry have always been a part of my life. So, it felt only natural that a lowrider would become part of the story. Not just a car, but a symbol of family, culture, and the memories we share. Writing LOWRIDER FOR SALE allowed me to celebrate my dad and the community that helped shape me, all in one story.

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M. How special that you get to share something so personal in this book while also honoring your dad. I’m sure he would’ve loved this story. The characters are very colorful and adorable, can you tell us how was it for you to meet them? Did you have any input in the illustration process?

L. Seeing Gabi, Papi, and Abuelo Chucho come to life for the first time was surreal. After spending so much time with them in my imagination, it felt like I was finally getting to meet them. Vanessa did such an amazing job illustrating LOWRIDER FOR SALE. Her characters are very close to how I imagined them, but she also brought so much more to the story, details I never could have envisioned on my own. I love everything about the book, starting with the endpapers. Regan Winter, my editor, told Vanessa they were simply looking for a color wash, but Vanessa went a step further and added the silhouettes of Gabi, Papi, and Abuelo Chucho cruising in Pico Nights. Then, at the end of the book, they’re seen riding their bikes together! Perfection!

One detail that especially stood out to me is the scene where they’re cruising Whittier Boulevard. Vanessa included “El Arco,” a real landmark on Whittier Boulevard! No one asked her to include it—she did that on her own. It meant a lot to me because it showed how much care she took in researching the community and setting. Then, in the car show scene, Vanessa added mountains to the background that reminded me of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California, along with plenty of iconic palm trees! She definitely made the book feel authentic and familiar. And yes, I was able to share my input. Before Vanessa even began illustrating, Regan asked me to send reference photos related to the story. I shared pictures of lowriders, lowrider bikes, my father, and even my husband in his Marine Corps uniform. Regan wanted the book to be as accurate as possible, and I really appreciated that level of care. It made the collaboration feel special and helped bring the world of LOWRIDER FOR SALE to life in a way that felt true to my experiences.

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M. Vanessa is really talented! Her color palette is so vibrant and happy. And you’re so right, the illustrators bring such a unique and special layer to the books, that sometimes we (as authors) hadn’t even considered. On another note, I have to share that the ending of this book was such a surprise for me! Did you always have it in mind or was it something that happened after working with your editor? – Spoilers alert!

L. The ending actually came much earlier in the writing process. I first shared a very early draft in a picture book class taught by Rob Sanders, and he was the one who planted the idea in my head. Afterward, I revised the manuscript and had it critiqued by several other people. The most common feedback I received was that they didn’t think the ending would work. Many felt the story needed a happier, more traditional ending. But even though everything ultimately works out in the story, I never wanted to sugarcoat the reality of the situation. Growing up, I didn’t get everything I wanted. Times were tough—money was tight. My mom did the best she could with what she had. We had what we needed, but rarely got what we wanted. I know many kids who grew up with similar experiences. I kept the ending because it felt true to the story I wanted to tell. That’s one of the biggest reasons I was so thrilled when Regan acquired the manuscript and left the ending unchanged. Children are incredibly resilient, and I think they deserve stories that acknowledge life’s disappointments while still offering hope. That’s the kind of ending I wanted LOWRIDER FOR SALE to have. To me, the ending definitely felt realistic.

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M. I agree with you, that was the perfect ending for this story. It feels very real and it carries such an important takeaway for the readers. I believe it will be more impactful to them than perhaps a happy ending (in this particular case). Now, regarding back matter, your book includes a very interesting author’s note. Did you write that from the start or was it added after you sold the book? Why was it important for you to add it?

L. Yes, the author’s note was included from the very beginning. I felt it was important to share a little more about lowriders and their history. Since lowriders are such an important part of my culture, I wanted readers to understand that they’re much more than customized cars. They represent creativity, craftsmanship, family, and community. I wanted to answer some of the questions I thought young readers might have after reading the story. How did lowriders come to be? What is cruising all about? Why do people say “low and slow” or “bajito y sauvecito?” How do you make cars “hop and dance?” My hope is that after reading LOWRIDER FOR SALE, readers will be curious and want to learn more. The story introduces readers to lowrider culture, but the author’s note gives them an opportunity to explore the history, traditions, and creativity behind it. If the book sparks questions and encourages young readers to keep learning, then I’ve done my job.

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M. I was so grateful that you added this note, cause I knew nothing about lowriders before. The information that you included gave me more clarity as I read the story, so I’m sure readers will appreciate it and find it very interesting too. Finally, Laura, are there any new projects that you’re currently working on that you can share?

L. Yes! I have several other projects in the works. My next picture book, BESOS FOR MAMI, is scheduled for publication in the spring of 2028, and it’s the second book in my two-book deal with Disney-Hyperion. In addition to working on a few new picture book manuscripts, I’ve completed a middle-grade novel that I’m currently revising. I’ve also begun developing a board book series that I’m excited about. On top of all that, I have a stack of books waiting to be read as research for a couple of nonfiction picture books I hope to write. I’m incredibly grateful to have my agent, Leah Pierre, in my corner. I’m always sharing new story ideas with her, and she continues to be such a supportive and encouraging partner throughout this journey. We currently have a picture book and a picture book biography out on submission, which makes this an especially exciting time. In fact, I just received some good news and can’t wait to share more soon! As an author, I’m always juggling multiple projects—drafting, revising, researching, and letting new ideas percolate in my head before they make their way onto the page. Then comes the waiting, which is simply part of the publishing journey. It’s a busy balancing act, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Wow! That seems like a lot! How exciting to have all those stories to look forward to. Laura, I wish you the best with your debut and with all your other projects. May they all become beautiful books someday soon. Congratulations again!

LAURA’S BIO

Laura De La Cruz is a Latina writer who specializes in picture books. She has worn many hats—author, mother, library media technician, Spanish preschool teacher, and teacher’s aide. Born in East LA and raised in the greater Los Angeles area, Laura now calls Austin, TX, home with her husband, three grown children, two dogs, and a horse. Laura writes heartfelt stories about family, home, food, and her own life experiences. She is passionate about creating stories where marginalized children can see themselves reflected on the page. She hopes readers enjoy her stories and connect with the characters she creates. Learn more and contact Laura at www.lauraadelacruz.com

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