LAS MUSAS BOOK BIRTHDAY - María Mariposa

Today we celebrate the book birthday of MARIA MARIPOSA, by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González. We sat down with Musa Karla Arenas Valenti to learn more about the inspiration behind this book.

María Mariposa is a story about finding confidence, embracing identity, and recognizing that your unique self is more than enough.

A gift from Mexico alights on María Mariposa’s windowsill on her first day of school in a brand-new country: “¡Una mariposa!” she says. With the butterfly, in comes Mexico magic. Filled from her toes to her new butterfly wings with memories of home, María knows exactly who she is and draws on her heritage to give her the courage needed for this very big "first".

But when everything at school is different and strange, doubt chips away at María’s confidence. The place she comes from, the community she loves, the magic inside her...does any of it really belong in her new life in the United States?

With courage and compassion, this picture book confronts the most difficult moments—and feelings—of being new, sweeping listeners up in a powerful celebration of the magic we each contribute to the world.
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Read more after the jump...

What was the most difficult scene to write in this story?

What made this story difficult was not a specific scene, but rather the fact that the story is being told through both the text and the art in equal measure.

In other words, the illustrations are not just conveying what the text says but rather adding another layer to the story that cannot be communicated through words. My goal was for the reader to experience Maria's journey intellectually using the words, but also emotionally, through the colors, shapes, and movement.

​To do that, the project needed an illustrator who could take things to the next level. In that regard, Ana was a sheer genius! Her stunning artwork leaves readers breathless and instantly immersed in Maria's unfolding drama and heroic triumph. 

buy maria mariposa

What 3 words would you use to describe your book?

STUNNING
INSPIRING
RELATABLE

What comes next for you as an author?

Next month is the release of the second book in the LEGENDARIOS series (The Beginning of All Things​)! This action-packed chapter book series inspired by Mexican mythology follows twins Emma and Martin whose book of legends magically transports them to incredible places! (think Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training with a little Percy Jackson and a Mexican twist)​

The third book in the series will release in December and my second middle grade novel is coming out in September. Lots of exciting writerly things in the near horizon!
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Karla Arenas Valenti grew up in Mexico City in a house built around a tree. Her life was always filled with elements of the fantastical which she readily incorporates into her storytelling, taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism.

Karla writes middle grade novels, chapter books, and picture books. Karla’s stories are heavily influenced by her Mexican heritage and layered with ideas and concepts she’s picked up in her many travels around the world.

Karla currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books. Check out some fun (and maybe a bit spooky) facts.

For inquiries about author visits, book club visits, or speaking engagements, please contact Sarah DeVore ([email protected]).

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