New Releases by Juana Medina

"With its extremely short text, this book is perfect for the earliest readers while still delivering a full, engaging story. . . . A delightful and relatable read, this book is a must-have for libraries and a sure hit with young readers." —School Library Journal (starred review) Elena is eager to put up her tent—but is there something she’s missing in her hurry? Juana Medina brings back the plucky elephant and her little sidekick with a comedic flair sure to delight beginning readers. The big box has arrived, and Elena is so excited! Tent parts fly everywhere as she empties the contents and dives right in. This job will be done in no time! GA-BUNK! Oops! Elena forgot the poles! Now it’s under control . . . GA-BAM! A little tug here might help . . . GA-BOING! Now Elena is stomping mad! What’s that her bird buddy’s saying? Something about that folded paper that came with the tent? In a charmingly comic follow-up to Elena Rides, also available in a dual English-Spanish edition, the determined elephant shows young fans that some things are hard—and some tents cow the best of campers—but with patience you can conquer them, if you slow down and try, try again.

Elena is eager to put up her tent—but is there something she’s missing in her hurry? Juana Medina brings back the plucky elephant and her little sidekick with a comedic flair that will delight beginning readers. The big box has arrived, and Elena is so excited! Tent parts fly everywhere as she empties the contents and dives right in. This job will be done in no time! GA-BUNK! Oops! Elena forgot the poles! Now it’s under control . . . GA-BAM! A little tug here might help . . . GA-BOING! Now Elena is stomping mad! What’s that her bird buddy’s saying? Something about that folded paper that came with the tent? In a charmingly comic follow-up to Elena Rides, the determined elephant shows young fans that some things are hard—and some tents cow the best of campers—but with patience you can conquer them, if you slow down and try, try again. This dual-language edition contains the story in both English and Spanish: read it from the Elena Camps side for the English text, then flip the book over to the Elena va a acampar side to read it in Spanish.

Cuando se entera de que su mami está esperando un bebé, Juana logra ponerse a la altura de las circunstancias (¡a pesar de algunos tropiezos en el campamento de patinaje!) en este tercer episodio lleno de humor y ternura. Estoy de acuerdo con mis grandparents. Yo creo que voy a ser una sister mayor MUY buena. Aún cuando no sea el ser humano más paciente de la tierra. La vida de Juana en Bogotá, Colombia, es casi perfecta. De vez en cuando surge un gran problem —como tener que aprender inglés o cuando la mami de Juana se vuelve a casar—, pero las cosas eventualmente se resuelven y la vida vuelve a ser casi perfecta de nuevo. Pero entonces mami le da dos nuevas surprises a Juana. Una: en vez de relajarse, Juana va a pasar las vacaciones escolares en un campamento de patinaje (¡aunque ella no sabe patinar!). Dos: ¡mami está esperando un bebé! ¿Cómo alguien del tamaño de Juana podrá lidiar con TANTOS CAMBIOS? La respuesta: con el tierno amor de su mami y de Luis, los consejos de los grandparents de Juana, la simpatía de sus nuevos amigos, la oreja atenta de su peludo friend Lucas y el gran corazón de Juana. I agree with my abuelos—I think I will be a VERY good older hermana. Even when I am not the most patient human being on earth. . . . Juana’s life in Bogotá, Colombia, is just about perfect. Every now and then a big problema comes along—like having to learn English or Juana’s mami getting remarried—but things eventually settle down, and life goes back to feeling pretty perfect again. But then Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn’t know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES? The answer: with the gentle love of Mami and Luis, the guidance of Juana’s abuelos, the sympathy of newfound friends, the ready ear of her furry amigo Lucas, and Juana’s own expansive heart.

When her mami meets someone new, Juana worries that everything will change in this humorous, heartwarming follow-up to the Pura Belpré Award–winning Juana and Lucas. Juana’s life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogotá with her two most favorite people in the world: her mami and her dog, Lucas. Lately, though, things have become a little less perfect. Mami has a new hairdo and a new amigo named Luis with whom she has been spending a LOT of time. He is kind and teaches Juana about things like photography and jazz music, but sometimes Juana can’t help wishing things would go back to the way they were before. When Mami announces that she and Luis are getting married and that they will all be moving to a new casa, Juana is quite distraught. Lucky for her, though, some things will never change—like how much Mami loves her. Based on author-illustrator Juana Medina’s own childhood in Colombia, this joyful series is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Fans of Judy Moody and Clarice Bean will love Juana, the spunky young Colombian girl who stars in this playful, abundantly illustrated series, now available in Spanish! A Juana le gustan muchas cosas: dibujar, comer repollitas y vivir en Bogotá, Colombia. Pero más que nada, adora a su perro, Lucas. Lucas es su mejor amigo, absolutamente sin la más mínima duda. A Juana no le gusta su uniforme del colegio, que le pica mucho. Tampoco le gustan problemas de matemáticas, ni las clases de baile. Sobre todo, a Juana NO le gusta aprender inglés. Todas las TH de ese idioma inoportuno le hacen cosquillas en la lengua, y muchas de las palabras no tienen ningún sentid para ella. Si read y read se escriben igual, ¿por qué se pronuncian de modo tan diferente? Hasta que el abuelo de Juana le cuenta de algo fantástico que tiene planeado y ahora Juana tiene toda la motivación necesaria para trabajar muy duro ¡y convertirse en una fuente de inglés! Comiquísima, llena de energía y con una historia inmensamente entretenida, Juana se ganará los corazones de los lectores en todas partes con su primera aventura, presentada por su tocaya Juana Medina. Juana loves many things—drawing, eating Brussels sprouts, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. She does not love wearing her itchy school uniform, solving math problems, or going to dance class. And she especially does not love learning the English. Why is it so important to learn a language that makes so little sense? But when Juana’s abuelos tell her about a special trip they are planning—one that Juana will need to speak English to go on—Juana begins to wonder whether learning the English might be a good use of her time after all. Hilarious, energetic, and utterly relatable, Juana will win over los corazones of readers everywhere in her first adventure, presented by namesake Juana Medina, winner of the 2017 Pura Belpré Author Award.

Beginning readers—and beginning riders—will be drawn to this bright, buoyant story of a determined elephant and her loyal sidekick, from the award-winning creator of Juana & Lucas. Elena wants to ride her bike. She steadies, she readies. She wobbles, she bobbles . . . KA-BANG! Learning to ride a bike is hard. But Elena can do it. She just has to try, try again. With this reassuring story of childlike persistence, Juana Medina, creator of the acclaimed Juana & Lucas series, introduces Elena, a plucky elephant, and the little red bird who is Elena’s faithful cheerleader. Simple, energetic text and bold, brilliant artwork convey a relatable tale of the ups and downs of learning something new (not without protest or tears) and the final thrill of mastery that will have children rooting for Elena and ready for her next adventure.

Beginning riders—and beginning readers of English, Spanish, or both—will be drawn to this buoyant story of a determined elephant and her loyal sidekick, from the award-winning creator of Juana & Lucas. Elena wants to ride her bike. She steadies, she readies. She wobbles, she bobbles . . . KA-BANG! Learning to ride a bike is hard. But Elena can do it. She just has to try, try again. With this reassuring story of childlike persistence, Juana Medina, creator of the acclaimed Juana & Lucas series, introduces Elena, a plucky elephant, and the little red bird who is Elena’s faithful cheerleader. Simple, energetic text and bold, brilliant artwork convey a relatable tale of the ups and downs of learning something new (not without protest or tears) and the final thrill of mastery that will have children rooting for Elena and ready for her next adventure. This dual-language edition contains the story in both English and Spanish: read it from the Elena Rides side for the English text, then flip the book over to the Elena monta en bici side to read it in Spanish.

Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina helps young readers to identify how they feel with bold, colorful illustrations and simple text in this paper-over-board picture book, the third book in the I WILL! series. Do you feel happy? Sad? Calm? Shy? Brave? Proud? This book provides a way for young readers and the adults in their lives to talk about their feelings and build emotional literary together. Whether dealing with starting school, moving to a new place, experiencing a loss, or another new experience, young readers will have the opportunity to process their emotions about it with the adults in their life. With bold, playful illustrations and simple text, this picture book focuses on helping young readers build emotional literacy, affirming their emotions, and improving communication skills.

From Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina, I AM! helps inspire young readers to have confidence in themselves. This paper-over-board picture book, the second in the I WILL! series, grabs the eye with bold, colorful illustrations and simple text. I am strong. I am confident. I am funny. The words and pictures in this book are here to remind the reader how wonderful they are! Focusing on helping to build emotional literacy, self-esteem, and self-worth as well as improving communication skills, I AM! is the perfect read aloud for kids and adults of any age.

“Juana's big problema will resonate with many readers, who will look forward to hearing more about this spunky Colombian girl's life.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Juana’s life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogotá with her two most favorite people in the world: her mami and her dog, Lucas. Lately, though, things have become a little less perfect. Mami has a new hairdo and has been spending a LOT of time with a new amigo named Luis. He is kind and teaches Juana about things like photography and jazz music, but sometimes Juana can’t help wishing things would go back to the way they were before. When Mami announces that she and Luis are getting married and that they will all be moving to a new casa, Juana is quite distraught. Lucky for her, though, some things will never change—like how much Mami loves her. Based on author-illustrator Juana Medina’s own childhood in Colombia, this follow-up to the Pura Belpré Author Award–winning Juana & Lucas is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

When she learns that Mami is expecting a baby, Juana finds a way to rise to the occasion (despite a few stumbles at skating camp!) in a third episode filled with humor and warmth. I agree with my abuelos—I think I will be a VERY good older hermana. Even when I am not the most patient human being on earth. . . . Juana’s life in Bogotá, Colombia, is just about perfect. Every now and then a big problema comes along—like having to learn English or Juana’s mami getting remarried—but things eventually settle down, and life goes back to feeling pretty perfect again. But then Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn’t know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES? The answer: with the gentle love of Mami and Luis, the guidance of Juana’s abuelos, the sympathy of newfound friends, the ready ear of her furry amigo Lucas, and Juana’s own expansive heart.

A picture book, the first in a series, full of bold and playful illustrations and simple but important affirmations, that will allow young children, and even adults, to navigate their emotions and foster discussions especially during difficult times, like the present. A picture book with bold, playful illustrations and simple text full of affirmations dedicated to being entertaining while building self-worth and improving communication skills for kids, and adults, of all ages. What do you promise to do to help make the world a better place?

Mami springs two new sorpresas on Juana. One: Juana will be spending her school break going to skating camp instead of relaxing (even though she doesn't know how to skate!). Two: Mami is going to have a baby! How can one Juana-size person possibly handle SO. MANY. CHANGES?

When her mami meets someone new, Juana worries that everything will change in a humorous, heartwarming follow-up to the Pura Belpré Award–winning Juana & Lucas. Juana’s life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogotá with her two most favorite people in the world: her mami and her dog, Lucas. Lately, though, things have become a little less perfect. Mami has a new hairdo and a new amigo named Luis with whom she has been spending a LOT of time. He is kind and teaches Juana about things like photography and jazz music, but sometimes Juana can’t help wishing things would go back to the way they were before. When Mami announces that she and Luis are getting married and that they will all be moving to a new casa, Juana is quite distraught. Lucky for her, though, some things will never change — like how much Mami loves her. Based on author-illustrator Juana Medina’s own childhood in Colombia, this joyful series is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

From the mastermind behind 1 Big Salad and ABC Pasta comes the latest culinary concept book: sweet shapes--a feast for the eyes! In this delicious forest, the bears are made of rectangular brownies, the goldfinches are triangles of lemon tart, and the butterflies are oval jelly beans. What child could resist learning shapes from such delectable creatures as these? Collage artist Juana Medina has outdone herself with this array of tooth-achingly sweet animal desserts that come in all shapes and sizes.

A circus of pasta performers introduces the letters of the alphabet, from angel hair acrobats to zip liner ziti.

A spunky young girl from Colombia loves playing with her canine best friend and resists boring school activities, especially learning English, until her family tells her that a special trip is planned to an English-speaking place.

Juana Medina's ingenious illustrations nearly pop off the page in her new counting book, ONE BIG SALAD. One avocado deer saunters across the spread, two radish mice scurry by, until finally ten clementine kitties prance onto the scene - all of the ingredients in one big salad! Medina's previous book with Viking, SMICK!, introduced her to the children's book world, and now she's bringing her fresh and innovative take on the concept book form.