Christine Inez Brown Von Hagen was born in California. She traveled extensively in South America and wrote a handful of children's books set in the area.
Read aloud to my child – enjoyed by both of us! The Forgotten Finca made me pine for community and the camaraderie and safety that community brings, despite the dangers that could be lurking in the unknown of the jungle (aka – suburbia – for those of us non jungle dwellers of today!). The way that the families in the story welcomed one another into their homes, regardless of how meager their offerings to one another, was beautiful and rich. So opposite of the way people live today – isolated and primarily connected through screens, where authentic and deep connection isn't likely to occur. Also, the descriptions of the plants and terrain made me swoon just a bit... orchids growing in the wild! Yes please!