Peñitas White Wing Queen Debuts Children’s Book
Peñitas’ White Wing Queen is using her platform to spread awareness of kindness and love after the debut of her first children’s book.
Ximena Lopez, Peñitas White Wing Queen, is spreading love and kindness to a younger generation through literature. She debuted her book at the Peñitas Public Library.
Her book, Pebble’s World, is set in the city of Peñitas, following protagonist Pebbles, a white-winged dove, who spreads affection and care in this 31-paged book.
Dr. Roberto Zamora congratulates Ximena Lopez for the publication of her first book and contribution to the Peñitas Historical Committee. Photo by Maria Ruiz/Progress Times.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing,” said Ximena. “My freshman year, I had this wonderful teacher [Wallace Alaniz of Palmview High School]..he taught me how to write in an essay format, and that sparked an interest in writing.”
But the spark that created Pebble’s World came after she was selected as White Wing Queen.
“I believe that this world needs a lot of love and kindness, and it should always be spread, always be talked about, brought up in children nowadays,” said Ximena.
“I do believe that they are the future,” she said. “And whether it is to make somebody’s day better or to help somebody through something major in their life, I think to make a positive impact, even when you’re little, is something good in this world.”
At the book signing, Ximena met with the Peñitas White Wing Royal Court, Tiny Miss Palmview, Sullivan City Mayor Alma D. Salinas, and incoming Queen Citrianna 88th. The White Wing Queen took photos and signed books for friends, family, and young readers.
Not only did Ximena sign books and greet guests, but she announced that all the proceeds from her book would go to the Peñitas Historical Committee, a volunteer-based organization with roots dating back to 1749.
White Wing Queen Ximena Lopez stands with Princess of Esperanza, London Reign Garaz at the book signing on August 9, 2024. Photo by Maria Ruiz/Progress Times.
Dr. Roberto Zamora, a member of the Peñitas Historical Committee, was touched at seeing a younger generation work to contribute to hometown history.
“I think it says a lot for her and for her dedication to, just, learning,” he said. “Also for her love of the city. That is something that is demonstrated by her contribution.”
Dr. Zamora continued.
“It says a lot that a young person, in the city, thinks this way, feels this way,” he said. “Sometimes we as adults feel like ‘who will be here to carry on afterwards?’ and this gives me some hope that there will be others that follow and keep that dream alive and keep that history.”
Eloy Zamora, President of the Peñitas Historical Committee, was proud to see a young female author like Ximena and to celebrate her as the first female and young author in Peñitas.
“This is a historic moment,” said Eloy. “She’s going to support us with the sale of the books today, and that’s wonderful.”
According to Ximena’s family, an approximation of $400 will go to the Committee after final book sales.
Ximena Lopez, the white wing queen of Peñitas, with her published book, Pebble’s World, on August 9, 2024. Photo by Maria Ruiz/Progress Times.
Ximena’s mother, Bianca Lopez, a former elementary teacher at La Joya ISD, said Ximena has been a writer since a young age.
“Since she was little, she loved writing songs, [and] she loved writing poetry. She’s involved in all the UIL oral events, Ready Writing, Storytelling, all of those events,” said Bianca.
Aside from nurturing her daughter’s writing talent, she guided Ximena through the book-writing process.
“We bounced ideas back and forth when she told me she wanted to write the children’s book,” said Bianca. “So she gave me the manuscript, and I helped her kind of play around with it.”
Now, seeing the book come to fruition, Bianca couldn’t be prouder of seeing her daughter inspire a future generation of children.
“It feels great that she’s inspiring little kids and the community to do more. She always says, you know, the crown and the sash don’t mean anything, but they do, you know, they did empower her more to go ahead and take that leap,” she said. “Even I get inspired by her confidence.”
Ximena Lopez speaks with guests while signing a book at the Peñitas Public Library. Photo by Maria Ruiz/Progress Times.
Ximena hopes that through her book, children can learn about love and kindness in this day and age and perhaps become writers one day.
“Writing is a wonderful way to express yourself,” she said. “I would love for it to spread the message to spread love and kindness because the world nowadays — it’s a very scary place,” she said. “I would love to give them a safe place to start and to feel safe when they’re reading my books — to escape and create an impact of their own one day.”
