When Moon Blooms

Derived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this series of poetic board books center around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with and respect for nature.

Using Mexican concepts, this poignantly lyrical series invites young children to pay witness to nature, to value it, and to become a steward of the planet. The moon’s phases – new, waxing, full, and waning – are seamlessly intertwined with our own natural cadences, showcasing the power and beauty of universal interconnectedness. Acclaimed middle-grade author Aida Salazar lovingly turns her attention to the youngest readers, bringing her signature lyrical text, in English with a few Spanish words interwoven. With vibrant, mystical art, this book is a truly meaningful and formative experience for all young readers.

Aida Salazar is an award-winning author and arts activist whose writings for adults and children explore issues of identity and social justice. She is the author of the critically acclaimed middle-grade verse novels The Moon Within and Land of the Cranes. Her forthcoming books include the picture book anthology In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of Immigrants of Color (Orchard Books, 2021), the picture book biography Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter (Scholastic Press, 2022), the middle-grade novel A Seed in the Sun (Dial, 2022), and the middle-grade anthology My New Gift: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors (Candlewick, 2023). Aida is a founding member of LAS MUSAS—a Latinx kidlit debut author collective. Her story "By the Light of the Moon" was adapted into a ballet production by the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and is the first Xicana-themed ballet in history. She lives with her family of artists in a teal house in Oakland, California.

Caribay Marquina Benavides is an artist from Mérida, Venezuela, and is currently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a graphic designer and illustrator whose art is influenced by a nostalgia for the nature of her homeland. Caribay’s work spans from commercial to editorial illustration, designing for clients all around the world.