Illustrator & Author Profile
Juana Martinez-Neal
10 Books
Juana Martinez-Neal is an award-winning Peruvian-American illustrator and author of children's books. She is celebrated for her warm, textured artwork in highly acclaimed picture books like the Caldecott Honor-winning 'Alma and How She Got Her Name', as well as 'Fry Bread' and 'La Princesa and the Pea'. Through her vibrant illustrations, she frequently explores themes of identity, family, and Hispanic culture.
If you ask Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela, she will tell you that she has way too many names. How did such a small girl end up with a name that is so incredibly long?
When Alma complains to her father, he decides it is time to open a treasure box of family history. You will listen along as he tells the stories of each person she is named after. You will meet a grandmother who loved books, a great-grandmother who longed to travel, and a grandfather who was an artist.
As you discover the vibrant history behind each part of her name, you might just start thinking about your own origin story. Join Alma as she realizes her name is a perfect fit, and that she is ready to write her very own story.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Every morning, the lush Amazon rain forest calls out to Zonia, and every morning, she eagerly answers. As you step into her vibrant green world, you will see a home that is bursting with incredible life.
Follow Zonia as she visits a slow-moving sloth family, says hello to a giant anteater, and races alongside a speedy jaguar. It is a day filled with joyful play and outdoor adventure. But when the rain forest suddenly calls to her in a troubled, unfamiliar voice, everything changes.
You will journey deep into the trees to discover what has happened to Zonia's home. With stunning illustrations painted on real banana bark paper, this story will show you the powerful bond between a young girl and her environment, asking you how you will help protect the natural world.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Fry bread is food. It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate. But as you will soon discover, fry bread is also so much more.
Join a modern Native American family as they gather together to cook, share, and celebrate. Fry bread brings everyone to the table, creating a perfect moment for new memories. It is a symbol of time, sharing, and a nation that stretches from coast to coast.
Through lively words and beautiful artwork, you will learn about the history, culture, and traditions that make this food so special. You will see how old traditions and modern life blend together in a beautiful celebration of family and togetherness. Grab a seat at the table and experience the power of sharing a meal with the people you love.
6-8 Years
25 Pages
The prince knows he has found the perfect girl to marry, but his mother has other ideas. The queen does not believe this girl is a true princesa, so she comes up with a secret test involving a tiny pea hidden under a mountain of mattresses.
Get ready for a fresh, fun twist on a classic fairy tale. As you follow the prince and the mysterious girl, you will discover a sneaky plan to outsmart the queen's impossible test. This playful story mixes English with Spanish words, dropping you right into a vibrant world inspired by the culture of Peru.
Will the girl pass the test and prove she is royalty? You will have to read to find out how this clever trick turns out.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Captain Swashby loves his quiet, salty, and peaceful life. His only true friend is the sea itself, and that is exactly how he likes it.
His serene retirement is completely ruined when a loud, energetic little girl and her grandmother move into the empty house right next door. Swashby immediately decides he wants these noisy new neighbors to pack up their ruckus and go away. He tries leaving grumpy messages for them in the beach sand, but his old friend the sea keeps washing away letters, completely changing his angry notes into friendly greetings!
You will laugh out loud as the tricky ocean forces the grumpy captain to interact with his cheerful neighbors. This salty and sweet story proves that sometimes the universe knows exactly what you need, even before you realize it yourself.
6-8 Years
37 Pages
Step into the kitchen with Neela and her amma as they prepare to make a very special family recipe.
Neela loves writing down recipes in her notebook, especially when they help her feel closer to her paati, who lives far away in India. Today is Saturday, which means a trip to the bustling green market to find the absolute perfect tomatoes for Paati's famous sauce.
You will learn all about the many different shapes, sizes, and flavors of tomatoes waiting to be picked. As you stir the bubbling pot alongside Neela, you will discover fun food facts and see how cooking can bring families together, even across oceans.
This warm and delicious story celebrates the love passed down through generations. Get ready to explore beautiful traditions and see how a simple shared meal can connect us to our history and to each other.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
The house is hushed, the lights are low, and a beautiful newborn glow fills the room. Inside a cozy home, a brand new baby has just arrived.
While the outside world is eager to meet the newcomer, there will be plenty of time for that later. Right now, you will join a new family as they spend their very first quiet days together. This special time is called a babymoon, where parents and their new baby stay tucked away from the world to connect, learn, and grow as a family.
With gentle words and warm illustrations, you will feel the tender emotion of welcoming a new life. It is a sweet, peaceful journey that celebrates the quiet magic of a growing family.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Nursery Rhymes for Los Niños
The itsy spider climbed up the water spout, but wait until you see what happens when the lluvia comes falling down. Get ready to experience your favorite nursery rhymes in a completely new and vibrant way.
This collection takes the classic rhymes you already know and blends them with wonderful Spanish words and beautiful illustrations. You will meet young Juan Ramon sitting in his corner, and follow three little gatitos who have lost their mittens.
As you read along, you will discover a playful and cozy world filled with fun characters and rich details. It is the perfect way to practice new words while enjoying the rhythmic stories that make reading so much fun.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet
Did you know that dust from a dried-up lake in Africa can travel across the ocean to feed the Amazon rainforest? Or that it can slow down a mighty hurricane? Prepare to take an amazing journey across the planet with a single speck of dust.
Long ago, an ancient catfish swam in a massive lake. When the lake dried up, the fossilized fish turned into dust. But this is not just any dust. Swept up by the wind, it travels from Chad in West Africa all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.
As you follow the path of the wind, you will discover how everything on Earth is connected. You will see how something incredibly small can have a massive impact on the world around you. Get ready to explore the hidden wonders of the environment and learn how the dust of the past gives life to the future.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
41 Pages
Two best friends spend their time thinking about all the tiny details that do not matter, just so they can celebrate the big things that actually do. It does not matter what kind of boots you wear, how your hair looks, or what shape your nose is. The only thing that truly counts is the connection you share. This bouncy, rhyming story highlights how differences make a friendship much stronger and far more interesting. Illustrated by two real-life friends who each drew one of the characters, the artwork perfectly mirrors the message of coming together. The upbeat rhythm and supportive message show young readers that true friendship is about unconditional acceptance. It is a joyful, confident declaration that caring about who someone is on the inside is the best way to be a friend.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
