Mi Tierra, from Reycraft Books, Explores a Young Girl’s Deep Connection to Her Hometown
The early chapter book kicks off a trilogy about a child’s heartwarming experiences with family and friends in a New York City neighborhood.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY, Sep. 3, 2024— Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is pleased to announce the publication of the new early chapter book, Amaya Nuñez Book 1: Mi Tierra, written by Adria Quiñones and illustrated by Mrinali Alvarez. Published on September 3, 2024, the book launches a trilogy about a young girl named Amaya Ivelisse Nuñez, who lives with her family in the Washington Heights section of New York City and celebrates her surroundings, her heritage, and her individuality.
Amaya loves the fact that while there are three Miguels in her cousin Miguel’s class, and two Manuels in her family, she doesn’t know of anyone else with her name. She loves her apartment and her busy neighborhood. She loves when her beloved abuelo visits all the way from Spain. She loves summer trips to Vermont and dinners with her tía and tío. But there’s nothing like Amaya’s home—her tierra. Amaya’s tierra has subways and bodegas, sidewalks and sprawling parks, and the most beautiful city sunsets. Su tierra is one of a kind, just like her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Adria Quiñones poetry has appeared in The New York Times. Amaya Nuñez Book 1: Mi Tierra is her first published work for children and the first part of a trilogy about Amaya, her family, and friends. A lifelong New Yorker, Adria grew up in Queens and now lives in Washington Heights, where she likes to watch the tugs on the Hudson and the traffic on the George Washington Bridge.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Mrinali Alvarez Astacio is a Puerto Rican illustrator and author. She has won several awards for her work and was granted the Letras Boricuas scholarship from the Carnegie Mellon Foundation and Fundación Flamboyán in 2021. Mrinali holds an MA and a Ph.D. in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University, in the United Kingdom.
Quiñones noted that she and Amaya have many things in common, starting with the fact that they are both Puerto Rican and Spanish. They both live in Washington Heights and share a love for the neighborhood, spending time with their wonderful abuelo, and having toast for breakfast. 'Plus,' the author said, 'I made sure that her last name had an ñ just like mine—it’s not a letter in the English alphabet and people don’t always know what to do with it, but I love it!' But Quiñones also acknowledged a significant difference between her and the character she created: 'Amaya is much braver, more outspoken, and more adventurous than I was at her age!
The author also expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation for Alvarez’s vibrant, cheerful illustrations. 'Mrinali’s illustrations took my breath away, they are so gorgeous,' she said. 'You can look through the book over and over again and find a new detail each time.
For Books 2 and 3, Quiñones said readers can expect to meet more people in Amaya’s community, including her best friend and her abuelo’s best friends, and that both books will feature unexpected events. 'But Amaya’s love for Washington Heights—her tierra—is unchanged,' she added. 'We learn even more about why she loves it.
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: Reycraft Books partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.