Sea of Constellations

Melissa Cristina Márquez is a fiercely proud Hispanic marine biologist, wildlife educator, professional speaker, and presenter. She has given two TEDx talks on sharks and female scientists, and her work has been highlighted in NPR, Allure, Disney+, BBC, National Geographic, Good Morning America, and more. In 2021, Melissa was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30: Science list and the InStyle 50 Badass Women list. Melissa holds a BA in marine ecology and conservation from New College of Florida and an MS in marine biology from Victoria University. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, Melissa aims to bring attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion with her writing.Rocío Arreola Mendoza lives in North Mexico with her husband, child, and cats. She has illustrated campaigns for the Matamoros city government and is a cofounder of Cúrcumas Creative Studio.

**Selected as a 2025 Américas Award Commended Title**"Touching upon the importance of sharing and kindness, this lovely picture book also introduces a beautiful ocean world and Aztec mythology to young readers." —School Library Journal, starred review "This gentle aquatic fable reminds us that friendship and selflessness can be powerful beacons against fear and hopelessness, even in times of darkness. A visually appealing tale with a sound message sure to resonate with readers." —Kirkus Reviews