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Join us in celebrating SINCERELY SICILY'S book birthday! We sat down with debut Musa Tamika Burgess to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about Sincerely Sicily: From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan--a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride--who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places.
Staying quiet may no longer be an option, but that doesn't mean Sicily has the words to show the world just what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian either. Even though she hasn't written in her journal since her abuelo passed, it's time to pick up her pen again--but will it be enough to prove to herself and everyone else exactly who she is?
And now to our interview with Tamika!
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Today, we're thrilled to reveal the cover to OUR WORLD: MEXICO by Cynthia Harmony, illustrated by Claudia Navarro. This gorgeous board book release April 4th, 2023, from Barefoot Books. But first, a little bit about the book: Spend a day in Mexico with a baby and their family, from huevos in the morning to settling down for dulces sueños at night. Mexican author Cynthia Harmony and illustrator Claudia Navarro draw on their lived experiences in Mexico to create an authentic picture of modern Mexican life as part of the Our World Series for very young readers  Cynthia says: "Working in a book about the wonder of growing up in Mexico with editor Kate DePalma and illustrator Claudia Navarro has been pure joy! This cover embodies that "squeee!" feeling. I love that it highlights family and friends' loving bonds with the beauty and colors of our culture: Mami y bebé, Mexican tiles, bright flowers and trees, oh and the pet peeking through the window... adorable!!!" PreOrder OUR WORLD: MEXICO today from Barefoot Books! PreOrder OUR WORLD: MEXICO today from Barnes and Noble! Add it to your Want-to-Read List on Goodreads!  Cynthia Harmony is an author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. She has published for the educational market and was awarded the 2020 WNDB Mentorship. Her debut picture book MI CIUDAD SINGS, in Spanish MI CIUDAD CANTA is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her board book OUR WORLD: MEXICO published by Barefoot Books, releases Spring 2023. Her upcoming picture book A FLICKER OF HOPE (2024) will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish by Viking PRH.
When not writing, Cynthia can be found in a museum with her kids, dancing to a Latin beat, daydreaming of tacos, or planning her next family trip. Today on the blog, we're thrilled to be sharing the gorgeous cover to Paula’s Patches by Gabriella Aldeman. First, here's a litte bit about the book: Problem-solver Paula patches her pants—and encourages her class to mend and reuse.  Gabriella says: My first reaction to the cover was: there’s a penguin! Paula was inspired by my daughter. She is obsessed with penguins, but the illustrator didn’t know that. So this little patch in the corner made the cover incredibly (and surprisingly) special. Rocío Arreola’s illustrations brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. I also have to thank the designer, Courtenay Fletcher, and creative director Gino Perfetti, as well as my wonderful editor, Margie Lisovskis. I think this cover is pure joy. I hope you all agree! Written by Gabriella Aldeman, Illustrated by Rocío Arreola, and published by Free Spirit Publishing, Paula’s Patches will be out on June 27, 2023. Pre-order today! Add Paula’s Patches to your Goodreads!  Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author who is constantly trying to mend her children’s torn pants, broken toys, and stained everythings—nothing some colorful patches (or super glue) can’t fix! She is a professional translator, and holds degrees from Georgetown University and the College of William and Mary. Gabriella lives in Fairfax, VA, with her partner and two children. Paula’s Patches is her debut picture book. Please visit her at www.writebetween.com or @write_between on Twitter or Instagram.
Today, we celebrate Mariana Ríos Ramírez’ debut picture book, SANTIAGO’S DINOSAURIOS (Albert Whitman & Company), a story that celebrates our differences, while also connecting us through common interests. Scroll on for an interview between Mariana and Musa Judith Valdés B!  JUDITH VALDÉS B: Mariana, reading SANTIAGO’S DINOSAURIOS moved me, especially given everything that Santiago had to go through on his first day of school. Can you share what or who was the inspiration behind your story?
MARIANA RÍOS RAMÍREZ: Thank you for your kind words, Judith. I’m glad you enjoyed reading the book. Actually, Santiago’s character and story are inspired by my son’s experience, which makes this book very special to me in a unique way. My son, Patrizio (Pato), was 5 years old when we moved to Anderson, SC from Mexico due to my husband’s job in an international company in summer 2016. Back then, he didn’t speak or understand English, so it was very challenging for him (and for the whole family) to face starting a new school year in a new school where he couldn’t communicate. I remember well his first day of school, when we left him at the school’s door wondering what he was going to do. The first months were really hard for him. He missed his school and friends in Mexico, in addition to missing our extended family and our previous home. The process of moving to a new country with different culture and language and where there are no family or friends can be a great shock for adults and children alike, and it’s very complex in several areas of an individual’s life. We are less than three weeks from Election Day in the United States (November 8th). Even though many picture book readers are too young to vote, they are not too young to learn about the political process. Books highlighting political figures, voting, and democracy can be springboards for educators and caregivers to a discussion about elections, candidates, canvassing, and more. Today, we are celebrating Pura Belpré Honor-winning Anika Aldamuy Denise’s and Loris Lora’s latest picture book, Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (HarperCollins Publishers), an inspiring biography of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The book follows America’s youngest congresswoman, known to many as AOC, from her early days in the Bronx all the way to the Capitol steps—with a glossary for change-makers included. Keep reading for a conversation between Anika Aldamuy Denise and Musa Alyssa Reynoso-Morris!  Today, we're celebrating the release of Undercover Latina, the debut middle grade novel from Musa Aya De León! Scroll on for a fascinating interview between Aya and Musa Terry Catasús Jennings — but first, here's a little bit more about Undercover Latina:  Latina teen spy goes undercover as a white girl to stop a white supremacist terrorist plot in a fast-paced middle-grade debut from a seasoned author of contemporary crime fiction.
In her debut for younger readers, Aya de León pits a teen spy against the ominous workings of a white nationalist. Fourteen-year-old Andréa Hernández-Baldoquín hails from a family of spies working for the Factory, an international organization dedicated to protecting people of color. For her first solo mission, Andréa straightens her hair and goes undercover as Andrea Burke, a white girl, to befriend the estranged son of a dangerous white supremacist. In addition to her Factory training, the assignment calls for a deep dive into the son's interests--comic books and gaming--all while taking care not to speak Spanish and blow her family's cover. But it's hard to hide who you really are, especially when you develop a crush on your target's Latino best friend. Can Andréa keep her head, her geek cred, and her code-switching on track to trap a terrorist? Smart, entertaining, and politically astute, this is fast-paced upper-middle-grade fare from an established author of heist and espionage novels for adults. Today, we're celebrating Monica Mancilla's debut picture book, Mariana and Her Familia! Scroll on to read her interview with Musa Karina Nicole González!  Today, we are celebrating Angela Dominguez’ latest picture book, ME GUSTA (Henry Hold and Company), a story that celebrates multicultural and multiethnic communities. ME GUSTA is a book about affirmation and love. Scroll on to read her conversation with Musa Judith Valdés B!  Today, we're celebrating Musa Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut middle grade novel, Iveliz Explains it All! Scroll on to read her conversation with Musa Karina Nicole González!  Today on the blog, we're here with an interview between Musa Rebecca Balcárcel and Musa Anika Fajardo, author of Meet Me Halfway. About MEET ME HALFWAY: When new classmates Mattie and Mercedes meet and realize they have the same Colombian dad, the two team up in a Parent Trap–inspired misadventure to meet him for the first time in this sharp and poignant middle grade novel about the bonds that make a family.  |
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