Carlos Vélez Aguilera – illustratör

Celebrate the power of food and create delicious, lasting memories with this poetic and playful exploration of the joy of waiting for, and finally sharing, fried plantains.Mama steers the cart toward the produce section of the grocery store and picks up a bunch of green plantains. Thus begins a week of anxious anticipation as a young girl waits for mustard yellows to seep onto the unripe green peels. Creep. Creep. Seep. Green begins to turn to yellow. Creep. Creep. Seep. Black streaks appear. And finally, on Sunday, the frying pan sizzles and hisses, as Mama serves up the warm, sugary slices the young girl has waited for so long. Much like there is sweet treasure hidden beneath the skin of a plantain, this beautifully written and evocative story reaches far beyond the act of preparing a favorite food. Ripening Time celebrates the way food and family entwine to connect us across generations-and serves as a touching reminder that some of the sweetest rewards in life are worth the wait.

*STARRED REVIEW*"A wonderfully detailed yet succinct biography focusing on Sheinbaum's impact on the world, this is a great first purchase." —School Library Journal*GOLD MEDALIST* Eureka Book Award, California Reading Association"This book puts forth traits of curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and ingenuity as admirable, especially when used for the benefit of many. Gorgeous illustrations complete the warm tone of the narrative." —Booklist"This book tracks a remarkable woman's remarkable life." —Foreword Reviews"Highly recommended" --The Jewish Book CouncilFrom social justice activist to Nobel-winning scientist to the first woman (and first Jewish!) president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum faces each new challenge by saying, "sí!", "yes, I can."Just like the migrating butterflies in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum has grown and changed.As a little girl, she was fascinated by nature and the beautiful mariposas that would flutter around Mexico City, signifying the coming holiday of Hanukkah. She was a dancer, an advocate for equality, and a professor of environmental science. With each new role, Claudia needed to undergo her own metamorphosis, but the challenge was worth the effort.All her hard work brought her to the mayor's office to fight pollution, and Claudia saw yet another new path forward where she could make the laws that would help bring about more than just a change in herself, but for all of Mexico.

SPANISH LANGUAGE EDITION*STARRED REVIEW*"A wonderfully detailed yet succinct biography focusing on Sheinbaum's impact on the world, this is a great first purchase." —School Library Journal"This book puts forth traits of curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and ingenuity as admirable, especially when used for the benefit of many. Gorgeous illustrations complete the warm tone of the narrative." —Booklist"This book tracks a remarkable woman's remarkable life." —Foreword ReviewsFrom social justice activist to Nobel-winning scientist to the first woman (and first Jewish!) president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum faces each new challenge by saying, "sí!", "yes, I can."Just like the migrating butterflies in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum has grown and changed.As a little girl, she was fascinated by nature and the beautiful mariposas that would flutter around Mexico City, signifying the coming holiday of Hanukkah. She was a dancer, an advocate for equality, and a professor of environmental science. With each new role, Claudia needed to undergo her own metamorphosis, but the challenge was worth the effort.All her hard work brought her to the mayor's office to fight pollution, and Claudia saw yet another new path forward where she could make the laws that would help bring about more than just a change in herself, but for all of Mexico.