Today, we're thrilled to reveal the cover for The Moonlit Vine and Claro de luna by Elizabeth Santiago, with cover art by Laylie Frazier and interior art by McKenzie Mayle. This young adult novel (pubbing on May 30, 2023 from Tu Books, an imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS INC.) places Taíno people and culture into a living, modern-day story—the first of its kind for middle-grade and high school readers. A little bit about the book: Despite her name, Taína Perez doesn't know anything about her Taíno heritage, nor has she ever tried to learn. After all, how would ancient Puerto Rican history help with everything going on? There's constant trouble at school and in her neighborhood, her older brother was kicked out of the house, and with her mom at work, she's left alone to care for her little brother and aging grandmother. It's a lot for a 14-year-old to manage. But life takes a wild turn when her abuela tells her she is a direct descendant of Anacaona, the beloved Taíno leader, warrior, and poet, who was murdered by the Spanish in 1503. Abuela also gives her an amulet and a zemi and says that it's time for her to step into her power like the women who came before her. But is that even possible? People like her hardly make it out of their circumstances, and the problems in her home and community are way bigger than Taína can manage. Or are they? A modern tale with interstitial historical chapters, The Moonlit Vine brings readers a powerful story of the collective struggle, hope, and liberation of Puerto Rican and Taíno peoples. Elizabeth says: When I saw the cover, I gasped. What had been in my head all those months had been perfectly captured by Laylie Frazier, the artist. From the way Taína, my main character, looked, to the glare on her glasses, the blue nail polish, the vibrant background colors reminiscent of Borinquén/Puerto Rico, to the moon glowing majestically toward the reader. It is everything I had imagined and more. I am thrilled that The Moonlit Vine/Claro de Luna is making its debut and in awe of the beautiful artwork. Elizabeth Santiago is a fiction writer, creative writing teacher and narrative coach. She obtained her PhD in Educational Studies from Lesley University, Master of Education from Harvard University, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Emerson College. Her first loves remain creative writing and teaching, never losing her desire to create characters based on her beloved community, or support students in leveraging storytelling to be better overall writers. She lives in Boston. Visit her online at theuntoldnarratives.com, or on GoodReads. Follow her on Twitter & Instagram at @LizNarratives. Pre-order The Moonlit Vine via the links below:
Pre-order Claro de luna via the links below: Add The Moonlit Vine to your Want-to-Read List on GoodReads! Add Claro de luna to your Want-to-Read List on GoodReads!
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Cover Reveal: Lourdes Heuer's translation of Martha Riva Palacio Obón's Secrets We Tell the Sea!2/13/2023 We are excited to share the stunning cover for Lourdes Heuer's translation of Martha Riva Palacio Obón's award-winning middle-grade novel about family, grief, and the sea. Secrets We Tell the Sea, published by Bloomsbury Children's Books, will be released on October 24, 2023. But first, a little bit about the book: The only good thing about Sofia's mom sending her to live with her abuela is that finally Sofia and the sea will meet face-to-face. The sea has always called to Sofia. That's how she knows she’s a mermaid—that, and the fact that the ocean and its creatures are much easier to understand than people. Sofia longs to meet another mermaid, someone who understands her and the sea completely. And when she meets Luisa, it seems like she's found just that—until the sea betrays them both in one irreversible moment. Soon their town is overtaken by hurricanes and floods and emotions and questions so big Sofia doesn't know what to do with them. Like, how do you make friends with the sea again? And how do you calm the rough waters within yourself? Lourdes Heuer is a children's book author, poet, translator, and college professor. Her debut picture book, On this Airplane, illustrated by Pura Belpré Award Honoree Sara Palacios, was selected in 2023 for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The first book in the Esme! early chapter book series, Esme's Birthday Conga Line, with art by #1 New York Times Bestselling illustrator Marissa Valdez, was named a 2022 Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Younger Readers and one of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids of 2022. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Lourdes was born in Spain and immigrated to the United States in 1984. She currently resides in South Florida. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. Pre-order Secrets We Tell the Sea today! Add Secrets We Tell the Sea to your Goodreads! Join us in celebrating PLÁTANOS GO WITH EVERYTHING book birthday! We sat down with Musa Lissette Norman to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about Plátanos Go With Everything: Plátanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why plátanos go with everything—especially love! Join us in celebrating ABUELA'S SUPER CAPA book birthday! We sat down with award-winning Musa Ana Siqueira to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about Abuela's Super Capa: Saturdays are superhero days. Equipped with their milkshakes and capas, Luis and his abuela can turn anything into una aventura. But when Abuela gets sick, Luis has to learn a new way to be a hero. With some help from his sister, Luis learns that change isn’t all that bad and there are so many new aventuras to have, even if they look a little different. And now to our interview with Ana! Join us in celebrating CITY FEET'S book birthday! We sat down with debut Musa Aixa Pérez-Prado to learn all about the inspiration behind this book.
But first, a little bit about City Feet: CITY FEET is a multilingual rhyming tribute to the rhythms and diversity of city streets, shown from a toddler's view of funny, fancy and fabulous feet. 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! 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! |
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