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Change is Beautiful
Little Curiosity follows a little caterpillar who discovers that her world is not as black and white as she originally thought it was. What was the inspiration for your story?
I think I can honestly say I was inspired by monarch butterflies, tropical frogs, and metamorphosis itself. As a kid I’d be fascinated that eggs and flour could BECOME a cake. I took that metaphor to heart, even at a young age. I saw change all around me and that kind of made possibilities feel very real.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I didn’t want to underestimate the kids that were reading this book, either with their parents or alone. I wanted to keep the language rich and true. Kids are capable of understanding big words and meaning of language, and I think the bilingual nature of the book will nurture and encourage that.
This children’s book teaches an important message to children while presenting the lessons in a creative and fun way. What was your favorite scene in this story?
I love the scene where the caterpillar is surrounded by rainbows in her cocoon. Did you know that inside the cocoon, caterpillars ACTUALLY turn to goo? They become this crystal clear see-through goo. To me that speaks to a level of vulnerability that is necessary when undergoing any kind of change or growth. What that little caterpillar goes through is HARD, but beautiful and worth it.
Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I am not entirely sure yet. The idea of the butterfly going through the world and sharing her adventures does appeal to me—especially exploring friendship, or new dangers. But I have been playing around with two other ideas, one with monkeys and one with birds. I have whole notebooks full—time will tell which of THESE caterpillars turn to butterflies.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram
Following one tiny creature’s journey through change, growth, and exploration, A Little Curiosity is a beautiful, bilingual story of realizing how much wonder there is in this world for those who are curious enough to go find out.
Full Spanish translation page by page!
Little Curiosity
In the heart of a monochromatic forest, a black and white caterpillar leads a contented life, feeding on leaves from her grand tree and relishing her routine of eating, playing, and resting. But an innate sense of wonder propels her to venture beyond the familiar and discover the spectrum of shades that lie beyond her tree. This journey leads her to an unprecedented, vibrant cocoon unlike any she’s seen. Embracing this newfound discovery, she weaves a tapestry of colors, adding brilliance to her existence.
Little Curiosity is more than just a children’s tale; it’s a poignant reminder that exploration and embracing the unknown are cornerstones of human growth. Sticking to routines may offer comfort, but true beauty and learning emerge when we dare to break free from the mundane. Through this simple yet profound narrative, young and old readers are reminded of the boundless beauty that awaits beyond the known.
A delightful added bonus is the book’s bilingual nature, written seamlessly in both English and Spanish. As a budding Spanish learner, I cherished this feature, affirming the idea that immersing oneself in a language—whether through conversation or literature—can be both enriching and educational. I even learned a few new words and deepened my appreciation for the language. The accompanying illustrations, with their simplistic charm and vivid colors, beautifully augment the story, making it a truly immersive experience.
I recommend Little Curiosity to young readers and the young at heart. With its captivating storyline and enchanting visuals, it promises to be both an engaging and enlightening read.
Pages: 26 | ISBN : 1639888195
La Aventura de Algodón de Azúcar: The Adventure of Cotton Candy
Cotton Candy is on the hunt for her friend, Peppermint. As she goes from one neighbor to the next, she gets the same response and even less hope of finding Peppermint. No one seems to know where her friend has gone. As she knocks on doors and travels all day long, she questions everyone she encounters, but there is no help to be found. Every food, animal, and object–Cotton Candy tries them all. Will she ever find her friend? Is there anyone at all who can help her?
La Aventura de Algodòn de Azùcar (The Adventure of Cotton Candy), by Tara Giri, tells the story of Cotton Candy, who is on the search for her friend, Peppermint. Each and every character responds to her question with an emphatic “I don’t know.” The book features both Spanish and English text and is a wonderful example of repetitive text. Young readers will benefit from seeing and hearing the same question and answer on each page. Whether they are English or Spanish readers, they will find themselves quickly absorbing the corresponding translation.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Giri’s work is the focus on the use of adjectives. As an elementary teacher, I am glad to see a children’s book focusing on a specific part of speech. It is difficult to find trade books that offer multiple opportunities to practice with adjectives. Giri has given parents and teachers a wonderful teaching tool. The only thing that I did not love about this book was the formatting. On some pages, the text can be somewhat difficult to read where it is layered over the illustrations.
La Aventura de Algodòn de Azùcar is a magical bilingual picture book that will captivate and entertain children as they go on an adventure searching for their missing friend. I recommend Giri’s work to any parent or teacher looking to introduce their children to a second language.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0B37Z73QD
Above Us
Above Us by Angela Herrera is a bilingual story with beautiful imagery that explores what’s above us. From our hands in the air giving high fives, to bubbles floating in the air to what clouds look like in the sky and even the universe, we look into the endless possibilities of how children view the world around them. The author invites readers to use their senses when exploring their surroundings, from touching to hearing to seeing, making this a great sensory read for young readers.
Herrera’s words are illustrated by Alvaro Agurto and provide readers with bright, colorful images with different shapes that will immediately captivate children’s attention. I appreciate that this book is in English and Spanish as kids are sponges and will take in what they learn, and a second language will be added to the list. The author encourages children to count the balloons, say the colors of the images in the book, and to even use their imagination when it comes to looking at clouds in the sky.
Above us is a mentally stimulating and interactive read that is perfect to read to little ones as it will get the creative juices flowing and have you look at the world around you from a different perspective. I highly recommend this book to young readers and can see this on bookshelves in libraries and schools.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B09XRDP4FN
LITERARY TITAN 