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• Lupita's First Dance / El Primer Baile de Lupita
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• by Lupe Ruiz-Flores.
• Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo.
• Translated by Gabriela Baeza Ventura.
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ISBN-13: 9781558857728
Publisher: Arte Publico Press
Publication date: 11/28/2013

ISBN-13: 9781558857629
Publisher: Arte Publico Press
Publication date: 11/28/2013

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• ISBN 9781558857445    
• Published 30 Apr 2012    
• Bind Trade Paperback    
• Pages 64         
• Age Group 11 and up

Joey is excited and nervous about the school dance because Marlen, the love of his life, has agreed to be his date. But Joey has heard rumors that she might be meeting someone else, and as he waits for her to show up he can’t help but worry the gossip may be true. Sure enough, a suave, well-dressed stranger asks Marlen to dance before Joey can even get to her. And soon the handsome couple is burning up the dance floor—literally!

In this collection of stories based on Mexican-American lore, author and educator René Saldaña, Jr. spins age-old tales with a contemporary twist. Lauro and Miguel run for their lives—with La Llorona’s cold breath on their necks— after being caught smoking cigarettes down by the river. There’s Felipe, who’s so determined to win back the Peñitas Grand Master Marble Champion title that he’s willing to make a deal for a shooter with a supernatural edge. And when Louie’s leg swells up after he cuts his toe playing with a knife, he can’t help but wonder if his mom’s warning could be true. Are his guts really going to spill out of his wound because he cut himself doing something stupid?

Set in the author’s native South Texas, these are the stories parents have told their children for generations to discourage bad behavior and encourage kids to stay close to home. But Saldaña breathes new life into these traditional tales with contemporary settings, issues and conflicts that are sure to resonate with today’s youth.

• ISBN 9781558857438        
• Fiction     Young Adult        
• Published 30 Apr 2012    
• Bind Trade Paperback    
• Pages 96         
• Age Group 8-12

Once upon a time, a lion and a lioness lived in a forest at the edge of a field. They think they are better than all their neighbors, even though the other animals—horses, burros, cats, cows and even a goat—aren’t starving like the lions. But the lion has a brilliant idea to end the rumbling in their stomachs:

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• ISBN 9781558857056             
• Published 31 May 2012    
• Bind Hardcover    
• Pages 32        
• Age Group 5-8

Seven-year-old Alicia and her parents are enjoying the annual festival celebrating Mexico’s independence. There are mariachis strolling across the festival grounds, folkloric dancers twirling in their colorful costumes and brightly colored booths lining the plaza.

But the hot day has made Alicia thirsty. Her mother suggests aguas frescas and points to a booth lined with jars of brightly colored fruit juice: there’s watermelon, strawberry, mango and even papaya. The watermelon juice is so delicious that Alicia drinks it all. “Mami, this tastes better than that red soda I drink after soccer practice. Can we make some of these at home?” Soon, Alicia is perfecting her own recipe and sharing it with her teammates after soccer practices and games.

In this bilingual picture book for children ages 5-8, a young girl discovers a treat from her mother’s Mexican-American childhood and becomes her friends’ favorite player with her healthy, frothy fruit drinks.

• SBN 9781558857018    
• Published 31 May 2012   
• Bind Hardcover     
• Pages 32    
• Age Group 6-9

Sofía loves her older cousin, Rosario, and she’s always excited to receive her hand-me-down clothes. This time, the box of clothes comes with a pink envelope: an invitation to Rosario’s quinceañera. And as she digs through the box of clothes, a beautiful purple dress catches her eye. It will be perfect for the quince! But when Sofía tries on the dress, her younger sister Mari giggles and tells her she looks like a purple sausage.

Sofía and her mom make a pact to change their habits; they agree to help each other eat healthier and get more exercise. The next morning, the girls are surprised when their mother says they’re going to walk to school instead of driving. And after walking home in the hot afternoon sun, they drink water instead of soft drinks. At the grocery store, they fill their cart with healthy snacks like bananas, oranges,

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Sorry I have been so busy the past few months I have neglected my blog!!! I have been working on my first picture book ¡A Bailar! and handed in the final paintings at the end of November. It is written by Judith Ortiz Cofer and will be published by Arte Público Press's children's division, Piñata Books and is scheduled to release October 30th of this year!! The very first thing I did when I painted that last stroke, put down the paint brush, and rubbed my sleepy eyes was scatter all my paintings on a table and take this picture. "Whoa I did it," I said with a big sigh of relief, "my first book, all finished."

I have also been working on a few paintings recently for a possible new project I will hopefully have some details on that in the near future.

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        Reading level: Ages 4-8
        Hardcover: 32 pages
        (May 31, 2011)
        ISBN-10: 1558856889
        ISBN-13: 978-1558856882

Product Description

"I kick the ball. BAM! BOOM! POW!" Young Tonito dreams constantly about playing soccer. He imagines himself hitting the ball with his knee, his foot, his head.

In his mind's eye, Tonito can run as fast as a race car. He can leap into the air like a fish jumping out of the ocean. He sees his name on the back of his red jersey. He hears the roar of the crowd as he scores a goal. They chant his name: "Tonito! Tonito! Tonito!

But then his mother yells louder than the crowd in his head, and she reminds him about homework, dinner and family time. When he goes to bed, he knows that tomorrow he'll have to go to school and do his homework. But he also knows he ll play soccer again. "I'll dream what I do. I'll do what I dream. I'll kick the ball tomorrow. Bam! Boom! Pow!"

Crowd-pleasing author Gwendolyn Zepeda writes a dynamic story about a young soccer player that is sure to spark readers' enthusiasm for both reading and dreaming big. The lively text is complemented by Pablo Torrecilla's vibrant and spirited illustrations of Tonito buzzing around a field, hitting soccer balls with every part of his body. Children ages 4-8 will be inspired to go outside and play the world's most popular sport.

GWENDOLYN ZEPEDA is the author of two bilingual picture books for children: Growing Up with Tamales / Los tamales de Ana (Pinata Books, 2008), a 2009 Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title, and Sunflowers / Girasoles (Pinata Books, 2009), winner of the Texas Institute of Letters' Austin Public Library Friends Foundation Award for Best Children's Book. She lives and works in Houston, Texas.

PABLO TORRECILLA, a native of Madrid, Spain, has illustrated numerous children's books, including Estrellita en la ciudad grande / Estrellita in the Big City (Pinata Books, 2008) and The Bakery Lady / La senora de la panaderia (Pinata Books, 2001). He lives in Italy.



        Reading level: Ages 4-8
        Hardcover: 32 pages
        (May 31, 2011)
        ISBN-10: 1558856900
        ISBN-13: 978-1558856905

Product Description

"I was going to draw, but my blue pencil was missing. It was lost! Where do all the lost things go?" A young boy's search for his misplaced pencil leads him to wonder where a

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I went to the SCBWI Conference and had a blast!! I was able to work hands on in a small group with the amazing and award winning illustrator EB Lewis. He gave much insight to the career of illustrating children's books. He showed us much inspiration and how creativity can be viewed in the every day life. One thing he did say that was interesting was that you are not considered to be an expert in your craft until you have put forth 10,000 hours practicing it. That would take about 10 years if you never once put down your brush. He was so knowledgeable and motivating I couldn't wait to go home and paint again!

I also met with Christine Tugeau who is an agent at her own agency. She gave me some helpful tips with my portfolio and some advice for my new forth coming picture book. I also met with Donna Mark, the art director of Bloomsbury Press who was very helpful in showing me my strengths and what I should focus working more on in future paintings.

I can also officially say that I will be illustrating a bilingual picture book written by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Our book will be out Spring 2011 and is being published with Arte Público Press! Yay!! I am super excited and will definitely have my work cut out for me since this is my first book. This was the preliminary concept I sent into them in order to get the contract. I will have to make a few changes to the characters. Stay tuned!!

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Zulema and the Witch Owl / Zulema y la Bruja Lechuza
Written and illustrated by Xavier Garza.

ISBN 9781558855151
Published 31 May 2009
Bind Hardcover
Pages 32
Price $ 15.95
Age Group 4-9

Zulema Ortiz is the meanest little girl in the whole wide world. She doesn’t have any friends, animals run away from her in fear, and her mom doesn’t know what to do with her. But maybe, just maybe, her almost ninety-year-old Grandma Sabina does.

When Grandma Sabina comes to live with the family, the first thing Zulema says to her is, “You sure look old and ugly.” Grandma Sabina calmly warns her rude granddaughter about the Witch Owl who prowls the night looking for mean little children, but Zulema just laughs defiantly at such a preposterous story. Nothing scares her because she’s the meanest child in the world!

So when she gets into bed one night and something begins to tap at her window, Zulema isn’t afraid at first. She’s mad. “Nobody plays tricks on me. Only I can play tricks!” But as the noise at her window continues, the insolent little girl begins to lose her bravado. And when a huge owl with glowing red eyes smashes through the window and swoops into her room, Zulema is ready to agree to its demands—even if it means promising to be nice!

In this exciting story about the consequences of being mean to others, Zulema learns something about herself and possibly her grandmother too. The imagination of children ages 4-9 will soar with this fun, suspenseful story by acclaimed author and artist Xavier Garza, whose knack for storytelling and creating lively illustrations captures the spirit of naughty Zulema.



Triple Banana Split Boy, The / El niño goloso
Written by Lucha Corpi. Illustrated by Lisa Fields.

ISBN 9781558855045
Published 31 May 2009
Bind Hardcover
Pages 32
Price $ 15.95
Age Group 4-9





“How come you can have sweets and I can’t?” Enrique asks the hummingbirds as they flutter over the flowers in the garden. His craving for sugar is getting out of control, and his father has forbidden him to eat anything sweet. Enrique’s birthday is coming up and he won’t be allowed to help his grandma with her baking. It’s not fair!

Enrique’s cravings multiply by the minute. Even numbers in his math book start to look like yummy desserts. His life is over! The next day, though, he comes up with an ingenious plan to outwit his father.

Unfortunately, his mother soon catches on. But she has a plan of her own. On Mondays and Fridays only, after school, Enrique may have any dessert he likes, but none during the rest of the week. What a sweet deal!

On his first outing with his mother, Enrique orders a huge triple banana split, with strawberry, chocolate and vanilla scoops of ice cream, nuts, sprinkles and chocolate syrup. Later that night, Enrique’s stomach aches, and El Coco, a fearsome creature with a huge mouth and sticky hair, haunts his dreams.

Enrique’s mother wonders if he will ever learn to eat in moderation. Will he be able to bake with Grandma? And what about having a special treat on his birthday?

Lucha Corpi’s poetic prose is combined with Lisa Field’s enticing illustrations in this engaging story that will resonate with kids and their parents as they struggle to balance healthy eating habits with the natural desire for sweets.



Sunflowers / Girasoles
Written by Gwendolyn Zepeda. Illustrated by Alisha Gambino.

ISBN 9781558852679
Published 31 May 2009
Bind Hardcover
Pages 32
Price $ 15.95



“My name is Marisol. I’m seven years old. This spring, I helped my grandfather make a garden.”

First, Marisol and her grandfather had to prepare the ground. They pulled out the old plants and weeds. They mixed up all the dirt “to make it soft.”

Then it was time to plant the seeds. They planted seeds to grow the vegetables Mamá uses in soup—squash, onions, carrots, and cabbage. They planted seeds to grow the things she needs to make salsa—garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, and chili peppers. They planted mint for Abuela’s tea. They planted watermelon seeds for Marisol and her brother. And for Grandad, they planted sunflower seeds because their “big black eyes with long yellow eyelashes” make him happy. And he likes to eat the seeds!

One day, Marisol’s grandfather gives her a small bag of sunflower seeds, but instead of eating them she plants them here and there—one in the corner of Mrs. Sosa’s yard, another in Mr. Binh’s yard. In fact, as she walks to school, she plants seeds in the corners of all the yards she passes. And she plants the last three seeds in the playground at school.

As the days pass, sometimes it’s rainy and sometimes it’s sunny. Finally, one bright day, Marisol’s sunflower surprise shines a bit of happiness all around.

The tender relationship between grandparent and grandchild is illuminated in this children’s book by author Gwendolyn Zepeda with warm illustrations by Alisha Gambino. Children ages 3-7 will sow and reap ideas of their own about ways to share a little joy, just as Marisol does with sunflowers.

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Do You Know the Cucuy? / ¿Conoces al Cucuy?
by Claudia Galindo
Jonathan Coombs (Illustrator)
John Pluecker (English Translator)

ISBN: 1558854924
Price: $15.95
Bind: Hardcover
Published: May 31, 2008
Pages: 32
Ages: 3-7

This entertaining bilingual picture book for children introduces the legendary—and usually scary—Cucuy

“The Cucuy is a tall, furry, three-eyed, four-armed monster with a mouth full of huge teeth,” Papo tells his granddaughter. And, he warns, if she doesn’t behave, the Cucuy will take her away!

She used to be afraid of the Cucuy, until one day she meets him and learns that he is not the frightful beast her grandfather described. Instead, he’s cute and likes to play. His fur is blue, and his teeth are small. He may not be just like her, but he does have two arms and two eyes. And the Cucuy also likes to play catch, blow bubbles, and eat candy. Best of all, though, the young girl learns that he doesn’t kidnap naughty children!

First-time children’s book author Claudia Galindo and illustrator Jonathan Coombs vividly bring to life a character known to generations of Latino children. Although this time, the Cucuy isn’t a scary monster but instead is a fun playmate.

CLAUDIA GALINDO attended the University of North Texas, where she received a degree in Journalism and a Masters in Education. She is currently a teacher in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her family.

JONATHAN COOMBS, a video game artist, lives and works in Utah. This is his first children’s book.

JOHN PLUECKER received his undergraduate degree in Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies from Yale University and his master’s degree in Spanish at the University of Houston in 2007. His fiction and poetry have appeared in journals such as The Julie Mango, Alta Noche, and New Texas, and his non-fiction has appeared in Clamor Magazine and El Diario de Tampico.


Growing Up with Tamales / Los tamales de Ana
by Gwendolyn Zepeda
April Ward (Illustrator)
Gabriela Baeza Ventura (Translator)

ISBN: 1558854932
Price: $15.95
Bind: Hardcover
Published: May 31, 2008
Pages: 32
Ages: 3-7



This charming bilingual picture book for children examines sibling rivalry and an important Hispanic tradition

“My name is Ana. Every year, my family makes tamales for Christmas. This year, I am six, so I get to mix the dough, which is made of cornmeal. My sister Lidia is eight, so she gets to spread the dough on the corn husk leaves. I wish I was eight, so that my hands would be big enough to spread the dough just right—not too thick and not too thin.”

And so the years pass, and Ana turns eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen. But every year, big sister Lidia is always two years older. Ana envies her elder sibling and wishes she could do what Lidia does: put just the right amount of meat inside the tamales and roll them up; steam the tamales without scalding herself with the hot, hot steam; chop and cook the meat for the tamales without cutting or burning her hands.

When she turns eighteen, though, Ana knows she will keep making tamales and she will be able to do all of the steps herself in her very own factory. When Christmas comes around, Ana will deliver tamales to all of her customers around the world, in delivery trucks that say “Ana’s Tamales.” And, Ana thinks, if her sister Lidia wants to, she can work for her.

Gwendolyn Zepeda’s rhythmic prose is combined with April Ward’s bright illustrations to create an affectionate and amusing story about sibling relationships that introduces an important Hispanic holiday tradition—making tamales!

GWENDOLYN ZEPEDA is the author of a collection of short prose, To the Last Man I Slept with and All the Jerks Just Like Him (Arte Público Press, 2004), and a novel, Houston, We Have a Problema (Solana, 2009). She was one of the founding staff writers of Television Without Pity (www.televisionwithoutpity.com), writing weekly entertainment pieces for over five million readers. Her essays have appeared on HipMama magazine’s site and others. She has written and illustrated her award-winning website, www.gwenworld.com, since 1997. She currently resides in Houston with her three sons.

APRIL WARD is the illustrator of Butterflies on Carmen Street / Mariposas en la calle Carmen (Piñata Books, 2007) and Juan and the Chupacabras / Juan y el Chupacabras (Piñata Books, 2006). Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and has been working in children’s book publishing ever since. She currently lives in San Diego, California.

Big Enough / Bastante grande by Ofelia Dumas Lachtman. Illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez.

Family, Familia by Diane Gonzales Bertrand. Illustrated Pauline Rodriguez.

Tomasa the Cow / La vaca Tomasa written and illustrated by Pietrapiana

The Desert Is My Mother / El desierto es mi madre by Pat Mora. Illustrated by Daniel Lechon.

Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup / Caldo, caldo, caldo by Diane Gonzales Bertrand.


César Chávez: The Struggle for Justice / César Chávez: La lucha por la justicia by Richard Griswold del Castillo. Illustrated by Anthony Accardo.

Icy Watermelon / Sandía fría by Mary Sue Galindo. Illustrated by Pauline Rodriguez Howard.

Chave’s Memories / Los recuerdos de Chave by Maria Isabel Delgado. Illustrated by Yvonne Symank.

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