Agent - Astound US Inc., 175 Greenwich St., 38th Fl., New York, NY 10007.
CAREER
Illustrator and activist. Contributing activist with animal rights groups including Animal Save, Anti-Speciesist Action, and Casa Animal.
WRITINGS
ILLUSTRATOR
(Margaret Gurevich)
New Moves,
Stone Arch Books (North Mankato, MN), 2019
(Margaret Gurevich)
On Pointe,
Stone Arch Books (North Mankato, MN), 2019
(Christine Platt)
Sacagawea,
Calico Kid (North Mankato, MN), 2020
(Alexandra Alessandri)
Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela!,
Albert Whitman & Co. (Chicago, IL), 2020
(Rana DiOrio)
What Does It Mean to Be Green?,
Little Pickle Press (Naperville, IL), 2021
(Elizabeth Turnbull and Wally Turnbull)
Janjak & Freda Go to the Citadelle/Janjak & Freda ale nan Sitadèlla,
Light Messages Publishing (Durham, NC), 2021
(Amy B. Mucha)
A Girl's Bill of Rights,
Beaming Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2021
(Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook)
Graduation Groove,
Little Bee Books (New York, NY), 2021
(Robin Arzón)
Strong Mama,
Little, Brown and Co. (New York, NY), 2022
Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2020, review of Heart of Gold; September 1, 2020, review of Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela!; January 15, 2021, review of Graduation Groove; February 1, 2021, review of A Girl’s Bill of Rights; December 15, 2022, review of You Be Grandma; October 1, 2024, review of Bobby and the Big Valentine.
ONLINE
Astound US Inc. website, https://astound.us/ (April 21, 2025), author profile.
New Moves Stone Arch Books (North Mankato, MN), 2019
On Pointe Stone Arch Books (North Mankato, MN), 2019
Sacagawea Calico Kid (North Mankato, MN), 2020
Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! Albert Whitman & Co. (Chicago, IL), 2020
What Does It Mean to Be Green? Little Pickle Press (Naperville, IL), 2021
Janjak & Freda Go to the Citadelle/Janjak & Freda ale nan Sitadèlla Light Messages Publishing (Durham, NC), 2021
A Girl's Bill of Rights Beaming Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2021
Graduation Groove Little Bee Books (New York, NY), 2021
Strong Mama Little, Brown and Co. (New York, NY), 2022
La Mariachi Sleeping Bear Press (Ann Arbor, MI), 2023
The Get Movin' Activity Deck for Kids Bala Kids (Boulder, CO), 2023
Strong Baby Little, Brown and Co. (New York, NY), 2023
Addy was born and raised in a little town in the south of Mexico, a town with a farmers market (full of people, fruits, flowers and colors) and a house (full of books) where she grew up. As a passionate animal lover and vegan, she is an avid activist in various animal rights groups like Animal Save, Anti-Speciesist Action”, and Casa Animal “Animal House”. She considers a very important part of her activism is putting up her illustrations on social media to spread the message of kindness and love for our planet and fellow living being with which we share our homes. She believes that everyone’s activism can look different, some attend vigils and are in the front lines of animal rescue and liberation, others are more subtle. It inspires her to think that stories and art are slowly but surely changing the way people understand themselves and perceive others, building empathy and a more inclusive world
A new series features puppies with magical unicorn horns.
The Cutiecorns are thrilled when they learn that they’re about to have their Enchanted Jubilee, which means they’re ready to start learning how to use their magic. Golden retriever puppy Sparkle gets an extra surprise—her parents celebrate her Jubilee by gifting her a locket that’s a precious family heirloom. As with any book for this age group, as soon as an important item is introduced it’s guaranteed to be promptly lost; poor Sparkle is robbed of it by a mysterious stranger. While investigating, the Cutiecorns overhear a scary story about a bad cat wizard, Claw—and the description fits that of Sparkle’s assailant. They venture off into the Furbidden Forest to find the cat and retrieve the locket. The narration is filled with entertaining wordplay for young pun lovers (“pawsome”; “furever”), and the concept of magical puppies is an appealingly childcentric one. The art is a mixed bag—enormous-eyed puppies with shapes that highlight the various breeds (even Claw, despite pointy claws and teeth, is adorable in a chubby way), but the vaunted horns distractingly look an awful lot like party hats. The story really goes to the dogs and falls apart in a confusing climax that relies on deus ex machina magic and an on-the-spot plan that’s perfectly coordinated without any communication among the Cutiecorns. Book 2, Purrfect Pranksters, publishes simultaneously.
A little ruff around the edges. (Fantasy. 7-10)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Penney, Shannon: HEART OF GOLD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617192779/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f69a1b38. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Alessandri, Alexandra FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA! Whitman (Children's None) $16.99 10, 1 ISBN: 978-0-8075-0450-5
It’s New Year’s Eve at Abuelita’s finca, and Ava struggles to overcome her shyness.
Ava is excited to cook and play with her cousins and to join in family fun on the farm during her visit. Every time she wants to speak up, though, she finds that it’s much harder than she thinks it should be. Ava’s mama reassures her that “There’s nothing wrong with being shy. When you’re ready, your voice will come out and play,” which gives Ava the confidence she needs to slowly come out of her shell. Colombian New Year’s traditions, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight for 12 months of good luck, are woven into the story for an added holiday experience. Delicious Colombian foods are depicted in joyful illustrations that add even more cultural details. The story’s seamless incorporation of Spanish idioms and phrases lets Spanish-speaking readers hear themselves on the pages and provides support for those interested in learning more. Shyness isn’t portrayed as a negative trait, and Ava is given the space by her family members to find her voice on her own terms. Ava and her family are depicted with shades of brown skin and hair.
This gentle family story lets readers know that shyness is nothing to worry about. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book. 3-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Alessandri, Alexandra: FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA!" Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A634467309/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b2100be9. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Myriad books talk about the first day of school; few address the other end of that rite of passage: kindergarten graduation.
Combining scenes of the kindergarten students as their day progresses toward that fateful moment onstage with mentions of body parts in the rollicking verses, Heling and Hembrook really maximize the beat. “Got the graduation groove / in my kindergarten hands. / I’m putting on my cap, / making first-grade plans.” Though not all the verses scan so well, they give readers/listeners an idea of what graduation looks like, a look back at all the things they learned in kindergarten that will serve them well in first grade, and some of the things they might miss as well as a few they have to look forward to. “Got the first-grade jitters / in my kindergarten skin. / What if I don’t like it? / My insides start to spin.” Sonda’s bright, pastel-hued illustrations show a diverse class; many of their family members are in the audience and at the celebratory party afterward. Though body type is largely similar, there’s a wide range of skin tones. One child uses forearm crutches, another a wheelchair, and a third sports pink glasses. The kids’ exuberance can barely be contained on the pages. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.8-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 28.2% of actual size.)
A solid pick for the end of a momentous year (though not this Covid one). (Picture book. 4-7)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Heling, Kathryn: GRADUATION GROOVE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A648127119/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f7e76045. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Mucha, Amy B. A GIRL'S BILL OF RIGHTS Beaming Books (Children's None) $17.99 2, 2 ISBN: 978-1-5064-6452-7
A celebration of girl power in picture-book form.
Although the text is written in the first person, the illustrations depict a group of girls in various configurations from page to page. They are a multiracial ensemble, with varied skin tones and hair textures; one girl uses a wheelchair, another sports glasses, and a third hijab. The core message of girls’ empowerment for readers to internalize is earnest and well served by the succinct, accessible text and engaging illustrations. The artwork depicts the girls in various settings, including a classroom, a soccer field, outdoors at a playground, inside homes, and on a bus, as the narration meanwhile overtly affirms the rights referenced in the title. These declarations assert girls’ autonomy and empowerment by proclaiming “I have the right to like what I like and love what I love” on the first page, cycling through a number of similar statements all beginning with “I have the right” and culminating with “the right to be ME” at the book’s end. Between these statements, the author asserts rights pertaining to how one dresses and wears her hair, with the art making room for gender nonconformity, as well as rights pertaining to matters of physical, emotional, and intellectual autonomy. In addition to providing a cohesive cast of characters for children to follow, the art opens up lots of opportunities for discussion about what may trigger the articulation of any particular right. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 26.4% of actual size.)
Right on. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Mucha, Amy B.: A GIRL'S BILL OF RIGHTS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A650107536/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f6bc163f. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Clark, Karla YOU BE GRANDMA Feiwel & Friends (Children's None) $18.99 3, 14 ISBN: 9781250814364
Sometimes even adults need a little extra bedtime spoiling.
Today was a busy day for this very active grandmother. She taught yoga and Pilates, returned books, shopped, cleaned, and spent time with her grandchild: playing cards, supervising violin practice, singing karaoke, dancing the list goes on and on! Grandma is yawning and starting to pout from fatigue. Her hip aches, and she hopes her grandchild can "be Grandma" by taking charge of their bedtime rituals: massaging Grandma's neck, scratching her back, giving her a hug, preparing a bedtime snack, making shadow puppets on the wall, reading "a story--not once, but twice," and wishing on the stars for sweet dreams. Though Grandma asks the little one to assume the adult role, illustrations show Grandma guiding the activities and the child initiating age-appropriate actions like turning off the lights. When the child is too tired to be the grandmother, Grandma stretches and puts the little one to bed with a kiss and a promise to "love you wherever you are." Rhyming couplets create a soothing bedtime story accompanied by detailed illustrations in soft colors that exude calm as they capture the pair's joyful relationship. Grandma wears large blue glasses and has short curly gray hair, and the child has dark brown hair cut in a chin-length bob. Both are brown-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A reassuring nighttime read featuring a playful role reversal. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Clark, Karla: YOU BE GRANDMA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A729727495/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2ab32593. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Woitas, Timmy BOBBY AND THE BIG VALENTINE Penguin Workshop (Children's None) $18.99 12, 10 ISBN: 9780593659779
Big feelings call for a big valentine.
Bobby, a tan-skinned youngster with round spectacles, is smitten with his best friend, Eddie, a brown-skinned boy with a gap-toothed smile. Bobby and Eddie are inseparable. They ride bikes, they bake cookies, and for Halloween they even dress up together as a knight and prince. For Valentine's Day, Bobby wants to show Eddie how much he means to him with a very special card. He has some pretty bold criteria: "The card would have to be colorful and sparkly andBIG! As big as Bobby's heart felt when they were together." Bobby creates a large heart cutout with many layers of meaning (and many layers of glue). Along the way, he has flashes of insecurity but also strong moments of resolve. "He [has] to believe that Eddie [will] always be by his side." When the pair meet at school, Eddie has an equally large card for Bobby. In an explosion of hearts, rainbows, butterflies, and sparkles--along with the biggest, most joyful smiles on the two tots' faces--Bobby and Eddie show the world their true feelings. Woitas expertly charts the quiet but potent dramas that Bobby experiences, while Sonda's art--which turns delightfully childlike for images of the card--sets a gentle tone. This is a charming queer read-aloud, ideal for Valentine's Day or at any time of year.
Demonstrates the courage of following your heart.(Picture book. 4-7)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Woitas, Timmy: BOBBY AND THE BIG VALENTINE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Oct. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A810315196/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=972c232b. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Penney, Shannon: HEART OF GOLD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617192779/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f69a1b38. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Alessandri, Alexandra: FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA!" Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A634467309/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b2100be9. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Heling, Kathryn: GRADUATION GROOVE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A648127119/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f7e76045. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Mucha, Amy B.: A GIRL'S BILL OF RIGHTS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A650107536/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f6bc163f. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Clark, Karla: YOU BE GRANDMA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A729727495/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2ab32593. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
"Woitas, Timmy: BOBBY AND THE BIG VALENTINE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Oct. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A810315196/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=972c232b. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.