Happy Book Birthday
by award-winning
Alexandra Alessandri
Illustrated by
Anastasiya Kanavaliuk
(Beaming Books)
Celebrating Mental Health May…
With SEL and STEAM connections, LUPITA’S HURRICANE PALOMITAS offers a great conversation starter about hurricanes, storms, and ways in which we can navigate worries…
… by choosing kindness in the face of fear, even during the harshest of storms.
Illustrations © Anastasiya Kanavaliuk, throughout
Lived experience:
Inspired by Alexandra’s very own experience during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
When I first saw Anastasiya’s cover illustration, I was blown away (no pun intended!) It’s sweet and gentle, and captures the tone of the story so well. I also love Lupita’s tenderness as she holds the baby palomitas in her hands contrasted against the impending storm.
Living in South Florida, I’m no stranger to tropical storms and hurricanes. I’ve weathered countless storms-–though none as impactful as Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 2017, as my husband, son, and I prepared for the possibility of Hurricane Irma, my son discovered two baby mourning doves whose nest had been knocked off our palm tree. I didn’t know it at the time, but this moment would become inspiration for LUPITA’S HURRICANE PALOMITAS …
LAS MUSAS BOOKS
Bilingual publication:
With Spanish sprinkled throughout, the book includes a glossary for non-Spanish speakers.
Downloadable educator’s guide:
includes reading discussions, STEAM, science, social-emotional and writing activities … and more!
Two-time Florida Book Award winner Alexandra Alessandri is the author of several books for children, including board book OUR WORLD: COLOMBIA, PBs FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA!, ISABEL AND HER COLORES GO TO SCHOOL, and her MG fantasy debut THE ENCHANTED LIFE OF VALENTINA MEJÍA. In addition to the Florida Book Award, her titles have received numerous other distinctions, including the International Latino Book Award, Américas Award (Commendable), and the ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award in Primary Fiction. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Alexandra is also an educator and a poet. She lives in Florida with her husband and son.
Happy Book Birthday
by April Showers
Illustrated by Anthony Conley
(Random House Books
for Young Readers)
Expanding the Afro Unicorn franchise into the Step into Reading format…
Illustrations © Anthony Conley, throughout
Seasonal Hook AND
Year-Round Appeal:
A perfect tie-in for Pride, Juneteenth, and Independence Day celebrations … and year-around parades!
“A sweet and straightforward story, ideal for early reader collections.”
Which Unicorn Are You?:
Magical is all-knowing,
with the power to read minds.
Unique is the problem solver with the power to heal and protect.
Divine cheerleads and uplifts others, possessing super strength.
Also available:
Celebrate your inner unicorn with these activities you can download and do at home!
April Showers with OPRAH
Gayle King
and Askia Fountain
April Showers is the founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn, a brand designed to remind women and children of color how unique, divine and magical they truly are. Multiple business owner and single mother of two, April started a movement of like-minded Black Unicorns through apparel and accessories in May 2019. In May 2022, she launched in Walmart as the first Black woman & first Black licensed brand in Party Supplies for a major retailer. The Afro Unicorn brand is now featured in stores nationwide with children’s apparel, drink-ware, toys, and holiday merch. April’s passion is to teach others how to develop their brands–with a goal to help everyone.
(Book #1, July 2024)
Featured in Andrews McMeel‘s Kids Spring/Summer Preview
Good News–from East to West 
