In June 2025, Matías Benmaor, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communication, published *Martín’s Vacuum Cleaner*, a children’s story that aims not only to entertain but also to encourage reflection in both children and adults.
Through a simple and visually captivating story, Benmaor conveys a message about the importance of supporting children’s choices. The author explains, highlighting the dual layers of meaning his work offers,
Not only do children learn that they can shine in whatever they choose, but it also sends a message to the adults who read these books to them
This full-color illustrated book tells the story of Martín, a boy who receives a blue vacuum cleaner as a gift from his grandparents and finds it to be a source of joy, despite his parents' doubts.
Inspired by a personal experience
The story was inspired by a childhood memory of the author himself. When he was just two or three years old, his grandparents gave him a blue toy vacuum cleaner.
"At home, I was always encouraged to play with it, but over time I started to wonder: what would have happened if that vacuum cleaner had ended up in a more structured household, where not so many things are allowed?"
From that reflection emerged the world of Martín, his parents, and the conflict between childlike spontaneity and adult expectations.
The story uses a powerful visual metaphor: the sparkle that shines from Martín when he’s doing what he loves fades as he tries to conform to what’s expected of him. Only when he regains his freedom of choice do the color and sparkle return.
From audiovisual storytelling to the book format
Benmaor, who currently works on the podcast *Sin Peies en la Lengua* —a project in partnership with Universidad ORT Uruguayhighlights how his academic background influenced the creation of the book.
“I found in children’s stories a way to tell visual stories without needing a screen or all the logistics involved in an audiovisual production.”
Although the illustrations were created by a professional, the author played an active role in the book’s visual direction. “I approached it as if it were a storyboard for a short film,” he says.
This cinematic approach results in carefully composed pages, where text and image interact to reinforce the message.
Academic background and a passion for storytelling
A graduate of the Bachelor’s program in Communication with a focus on Audiovisual Studies at the School of Communication, Benmaor highlights how the screenwriting and storytelling courses allowed him to hone his narrative skills.
“I’ve always had a passion for storytelling, but my degree program allowed me to build on that with theoretical and technical tools, ”he says.
Learn more about the Bachelor's Degree in Audiovisual and Film Communication
Among the professors who influenced him, he makes special mention of Esther Feldman, with whom he took the Screenwriting for TV Series course, and Diego Fernández —aka Parker—his thesis advisor and professor of Storytelling.
"They gave me new perspectives and new tools to help me tell stories more effectively ," he says.
Overcoming imposter syndrome
Publishing his first book wasn't without its challenges.“At first, I kept telling myself it was a very obvious and basic story,”Benmaor admits.
However, the positive response from readers—both children and adults— made him reconsider.
“I realized that what seemed obvious to me wasn’t obvious to others. The book sparks some really great reflections and discussions,” she adds.
Martín's vacuum cleaner is now available in bookstores and has also been incorporated into school activities.
Many of us have projects we don't pursue because of fear or internal obstacles, but if you put your mind to it and find a way around them, things work out.
Next steps: script and new challenges
Benmaor is currently preparing to begin a master's degree in screenwriting in Los Angeles. In the meantime, he continues to focus on his personal projects. Speaking about his recent publication, the author comments:
“It was a way to bring my two worlds together: film and television, and children’s literature. It showed me that you can tell a powerful story using the tools you already have.”
Want to learn more about the book? *Martín's Vacuum Cleaner* is available in bookstores and online. Written for children from preschool through early elementary school, it also speaks to those who support them as they grow.