Richard and Diana Alvarez

Richard and Diana Alvarez have been married 36 years and have four amazing

children. Richard worked for 35 years in education and had a master’s degree in

administration. Right out of college, he started out as a teacher, was a principal for an

elementary/Middle and high schools for many years, and served as an Assistant

Superintendent of the school district prior to retiring in 2010. Richard was a pastor for

seven years before his passing on October 10, 2020.

Diana has worked in education for about 25 years. She started out as a teacher’s aide

for a short time. With a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and a master’s degree in

Special Education, she held a dual credential and taught at the middle and high school

levels for 14 years. Diana is now retired. She remains on their 10-acre date ranch.

She continues to raise tons of chickens, turkeys, seven goats, and two Black-Angus

cows. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, write stories, poems, songs, sew for

her small business, sing and paint.

They had the privilege of watching their four children achieve their masters (two have

doctorates), get married and now have nine grandchildren amongst them. Of the eight

adults, all have degrees. All of the men are ministers and two to them are pastors.

Both of their sons are publishers as well. Out of the ten children and spouses, seven

were teachers.

One of their children was born with a speech impediment. He had difficulty pronouncing

certain letters and sounds. Richard would create short stories and songs to help their

son with his speech. After major surgeries, therapy, and playing music, their son

overcame his disability. The Coco Loco Tiger of the Mountain was originated by

Richard and enhanced by Diana. She is publishing her second book this year.

Think Ahead Kids Book Reviews

"The Coco Loco Tiger of the Mountain is a beautiful storyline that takes place in Costa Rica. An intelligent parrot meets a tiger of the mountain who feels in his heart that he is ready to hunt on his own. There is one problem, his paws are much too large for his body, this causes him to have a difficult time chasing after his prey. Señor Parrot observes Coco Loco Tiger as he attempts to hunt for rabbits, squirrels, and turtles. He finds out that the tiger injures himself due to his enlarged paws. As the other animals in the forest watch his mishaps, they make fun of his differences through a silly song. Señor Parrot recognizes the tiger's failed attempts and begins to teach the tiger that he is capable and should not give up. With words of wisdom and support, the Coco Loco Tiger of the Mountain can move swiftly across a river to rescue a younger tiger in danger. With the rescue, Coco Loco Tiger of the Mountain realizes that even though he was born with a disability, he can accomplish many things.

Readers will enjoy this story and stunning artwork that takes you away and places you right in the heart of Costa Rica. A great book to read to children who are having difficulty with bullying at school. It also provides them with the understanding that those born different are capable of great things!

I highly recommend this book to families and educators."

-School Psychologist

"Your book is so heartfelt because it is about this tiger that really wants to catch his own prey, but his paws are too large and it is stopping him from doing so. I think your book has an amazing lesson because in the end the tiger rescues this baby tiger and proves himself to be the mighty king. In the book a parrot helps the tiger hunt. The tiger does not catch any food in the start, but in the end, he saves a baby tiger from a rushing waterfall. I loved your book and I think it is well recommended for families! 😊"

-Child age 10

Find out more