María Mariposa

Written by Karla Arenas Valenti.

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González.

 

*Publisher: ‎Chronicle Books

*Publication date: ‎July 16, 2024

*Language: ‎English

*Print length: ‎52 pages

*ISBN-10: ‎1797207938

*ISBN-13: ‎978-1797207933

From Pura Belpré Award–winning author Karla Arenas Valenti and New York Times–bestselling illustrator Ana Ramírez González comes a lyrical children's book 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!” / “A butterfly!” And with the butterfly, in comes magic. Filled from her toes to her new butterfly wings with memories of home, María knows exactly who she is. But when everything at school is different and strange, doubt begins to make María’s confidence fade away. The place she comes from, the community she loves, the magic inside her . . . does any of it really belong in her new life?

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

 

Review

“Warm and compelling, sure to have hearts soaring.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Come for the simple but important story of strength in cultural roots, stay for the gentle magic in the pictures, bursting with color and

framing the ordinary world as something brighter, better. Immigration and individualism in one gorgeous package.” ― School Library Journal

 

Karla Arenas Valenti was born and raised in Mexico City but has since put down roots in other places she now calls home: France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. The author of several children’s books, Karla lives and writes in the Chicago area.

Ana Ramírez González is an artist and filmmaker at Pixar Animation Studios by day and a New York Times–bestselling illustrator by night. Born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, Ana attended art school in France and now divides her time between San Francisco, Paris, and Guanajuato.