Goodbye 2019! Hello 2020!

Thank you for accompanying me through 2019!

The end of the decade feels both meaningful and ordinary… A year ends, a new one begins. It’s nothing new, we’ve done it before. But isn’t it still exciting?

As much as I usually love looking back, analyzing and reviewing, I’m feeling the impulse to leap forward.

I can’t wait to share with you the books I’m working on (sadly I have to keep them a secret for now). I’m also going to be teaching and speaking at a couple of conferences:

• 2020 SCBWI Golden Gate Conference, at Asilomar (CA), March 13th – 15th. (One of my favorite conferences for writers and illustrators! I’ve attended several times, so I’m thrilled to be one of the speakers this time around.)

• Class: Writing & Illustrating Children's Books, at City College of San Francisco (CA), February 11th – March 17th. (Sign up if you’d like to make children’s books! I don’t plan on teaching this class again for a little while.)

• SCBWI Oregon Spring Conference, at Portland (OR), May 15th – 17th. (More info coming soon.)

What else?

I have no idea. The future is full of possibilities.

Whatever comes, I will welcome. At least, that is my intention...

I invite you to stay open with me. Let’s receive together. Let’s make connections, and laugh deep belly laughs, and dance, and draw, and read good books, and cry when we need to. Let’s welcome sadness like we welcome joy, because like the years, they are here just in passing. We say hello, and we say goodbye.

Hello 2020! Let’s make some magic!

P.S: Artwork from the picture book ONE SNOWY DAY, written by Diana Murray & illustrated by Diana Toledano.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Whatever it is that you celebrate these days, I hope you find some time to rest, to enjoy great food, and to hug your friends and family. I know I will. And if you get sad thinking of those who aren't here anymore or those who are in danger (I know I will), try this: be kind. I'll be dedicating all my acts of kindness to my grandma who was tough as nails but had the biggest heart. 

For my holiday and Christmas card, I've repurposed an illustration from the picture book "Une place pour Edouard" (written by Beatrice Gernot, illustrated by me, and published by Alice Editions). I had no time to create anything else. Actually, I did... but I can't show it yet!

 Thank you for following along. I'm so grateful for your support! 

---

¡Felices Fiestas!

Celebres lo que celebres en estas fechas, espero que encuentres tiempo para descansar, disfrutar de comidas caseras, y de abrazar a tu familia y amigos. Yo lo voy a hacer. Y si te sientes triste pensando en aquellos que ya no están o en aquellos que están en peligro (yo también lo voy a hacer), prueba esto: se amable. Cuando haga algo amable por alguien, yo voy a dedicárselo a mi abuela, que era de armas tomar pero tenía un corazón enorme.

Para mi felicitación de Navidad he reutilizado una ilustración del álbum infantil "Une place pour Edouard" (escrito por Beatrice Gernot, ilustrado por mi, y publicado por Alice Editions). No he tenido tiempo de crear otra cosa. Bueno, sí que he podido... ¡pero no puedo enseñar nada aún!

 Gracias por acompañarme. ¡No sabes cuanto agradezco tu apoyo!

Every Kid Is Loved Here

Bushy tail, fish tail, or no tail at all... Every kid is loved here. 

I've taught many wonderful kids throughout the years. I carry many of their faces in my heart. Kids of every shade and background. Kids with different skills. Obedient kids that listened to me carefully, and kids who drove me crazy. But to all of them I want to say this: you matter, I think you are awesome, and I will do my best to keep you safe. 

Parents, caretakers, teachers, librarians and neighbors, please enjoy these posters!

You are welcome to download them, print as many as you want, and set them up where kids will see them. I've made two versions: English and Spanish. You can find the Spanish version further down.

Download the images (they'll open in a separate browser window, right click to save):

• You Are Safe Fox Poster
• You Are Safe Mermaid Poster

THINGS TO NOTE: I'm sharing these illustrations for free, but I still own the rights. That means you can't use them for profit (e.g. selling prints or t-shirts). Also, please do not modify the designs. Author credit is not required, but it's very much appreciated!

Psst, in case you haven't heard, I'm doing a GIVEAWAY here for teachers and kindhearted people.

---

Todos los niños y niñas son bienvenidos aquí.

He trabajado con maravillosos niños y niñas a lo largo de los años. Llevo en el corazón muchas de sus caritas. Niños de todos los colores y clases sociales. Niñas con diferentes habilidades. Niños obedientes que me escuchaban atentamente, y niños que me volvían loca. A todos ellos quiero decirles lo mismo: importas, eres genial, y voy a hacer lo posible para que te sientas seguro.

Padres, cuidadores, profesores, bibliotecarias y vecinos, ¡por favor, disfrutar de estos posters! 

Podéis descargarlos, imprimir tantos como queráis y colocarlos donde lo vean los niños y niñas. He hecho dos versiones: inglés y español. La versión inglesa está arriba.

Descárgate las imágenes (se abrirán en una ventana aparte, para guardar haz click con el botón derecho):

• Este es un lugar seguro - Poster Zorro
• Este es un lugar seguro Poster Sirena

COSAS A TENER EN CUENTA: Comparto estas ilustraciones gratis, pero aún así tengo los derechos de copyright. Eso quiere decir que no puedes usarlas para tu propio beneficio (por ejemplo: vender camisetas o impresiones). Por favor, no modifiques los diseños. Darme crédito no es obligatorio, ¡pero te lo agradecería mucho!

Psst, por si acaso no te enteraste, estoy haciendo un SORTEO aquí.