Chosen by Isabel Allende: Narrating 'Perla, la Súper Perrita'

'ISABEL ALLENDE chose you to be the voice of her new book.' That is how it all began, when Jorge Reyes, the distinguished audiobook director at Penguin Random House, called to give me the great news. And so I embarked on the fascinating journey of narrating 'Perla, la súper perrita' — the first children's book by the world-renowned, multi-award-winning author.

Attending the global launch and meeting Isabel Allende IN PERSON was one of the most wonderful experiences I have lived as an artist. So inspiring, so warm, with a unique ability to connect with everyone around her and so full of light that she captivated with every word. Hearing first-hand the stories and intentions behind her lines is a treasure I will keep forever.

Narrating for children is its own art — and narrating the words of a woman of Isabel's strength, written for the littlest readers, doubles the responsibility: the voice has to carry her tenderness and her power at the same time. Infinitely grateful to Isabel Allende, Jorge Reyes, Irene Fortes and Penguin Random House Audio for this invitation to enjoy my passion and dream big.

The Spanish audiobook is available on Audible, Google Play, Amazon and Penguin Random House. The story of that day is on my Instagram. All aboard!

Children's audiobook narration sits somewhere between storytelling and acting: each character needs a recognizable voice, but the narrator must remain the warm thread a child can follow with eyes closed. Pacing is everything — young listeners need room to imagine between sentences. Recording Isabel's words taught me to trust the text completely: when the writing is that alive, the narrator's job is to get out of the light.