Sneak Peek: Behind the Scenes of Creating Art for Maybe Something Beautiful

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Young Readers for their recent post about the process of creating art for Maybe Something Beautiful.

In this exuberant picture book about transformation through art, Mira live in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and, along with his paints and brushes, brings color, joy and hope to the neighborhood. Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation-and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!

Available wherever books are sold on April 12, 2016!

Tips from Literary Agents representing Latino authors

2016  was an incredible year for diverse books. I'm often contacted by aspiring Latino writers and illustrators and wanted to share these tips from five leading Literary Agents that might be useful.

Drum Dream Girl Thank you Video

Wanted to share this thank you video I was asked to make for the American Library Association: Youth Media Awards. GRATEFUL that Drum Dream Girl written by Margarita Engle received the 2016 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration in this the 20th anniversary of the award. Thanks to readers, teachers and librarians for their support of our book.

100 Titles to Read and Share

New York Public Library Children's Books 100 titles for reading and sharing

December

Ice skating beside the beach at the Hotel Del this past weekend

Robot in Balboa Park

Steampunk inspiration

Cracking contraptions

Drum Dream Girl: Literary Stroll around the neighborhood in Boston

From beauty salons to Cuban restaurants and health centers, the Drum Dream girl took a literary stroll around the neighborhood thanks to the Boston Public Library and an innovative idea that was the brainchild of Sujei Lugo. Read: Drum Dream Girl Story Walk in Latin@s in Kid Lit.

What a great way to have fun and integrate the community bringing families to the library.

diversions

A week I ago I dreamt about this tiger from India and had to wake up early in the morning to paint him.

His face blushing in shame. The temptation proved too strong for Ferdinand the Bull as he munches away at the last flower that bloomed on his hilltop.

After learning that Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma haven't spoken in years, the wolf goes for Plan B. Red however is very clever and decides to shop online.