Belen Medina

In this poignant picture book, Emilia wishes for all the things she doesn't have, including her own bed, a new car, and nicer clothes. But as she discovers through her mom's sacrifices, Emilia already has what she needs. Emilia wakes up with hot breath in her face and a sharp knee poking her from behind, wishing she had her own bed. Emilia looks out from the back seat of her old car at her neighborhood, wishing she lived on a tree-lined street in a big house with a swimming pool. And when she gets to the rundown strip mall where the thrift shop is--and not the fancy mall across the street--she models clothes for her Mama and sisters, wishing they could all be hers. But money is tight, and Mama works hard, and so she must wait. And when the day finally comes when they can make the last payment on layaway, Emilia realizes that the clothes don't matter--her Mama's love and joy and radiance is what does. Emilia Wishing is a beautiful tale of gratitude, family bonds, and the realization that true wealth lies in the love and sacrifices of those around us.

In this poignant picture book, Emilia wishes for all the things she doesn't have, including her own bed, a new car, and nicer clothes. But as she discovers through her mom's sacrifices, Emilia already has what she needs. Emilia wakes up with hot breath in her face and a sharp knee poking her from behind, wishing she had her own bed. Emilia looks out from the back seat of her old car at her neighborhood, wishing she lived on a tree-lined street in a big house with a swimming pool. And when she gets to the rundown strip mall where the thrift shop is--and not the fancy mall across the street--she models clothes for her Mama and sisters, wishing they could all be hers. But money is tight, and Mama works hard, and so she must wait. And when the day finally comes when they can make the last payment on layaway, Emilia realizes that the clothes don't matter--her Mama's love and joy and radiance is what does. Emilia Wishing is a beautiful tale of gratitude, family bonds, and the realization that true wealth lies in the love and sacrifices of those around us.

Meet Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico who is internationally known for winning ultramarathons in her traditional skirts and rubber sandals, in this nonfiction picture book.From the copper canyons of Mexico, her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip clap. Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, “the light-footed people,” to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving—outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world’s attention. Lorena’s career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams.