Dana Sanmar – illustratör

The turn of a card could change your destiny in this captivating middle grade adventure based on the Lotería card game and perfect for fans of Coco. While searching for her missing cousin, a young girl is transported to a mythical kingdom, becoming entangled in a perilous game of chance.“A magical, philosophical tale rooted in Mexican lore.” —School Library Journal, starred reviewIn the hottest hour of the hottest day of the year, a fateful wind blows into Oaxaca City. It whistles down cobbled streets and rustles the jacaranda trees before slipping into the window of an eleven-year-old girl named Clara. Unbeknownst to her, Clara has been marked for la Lotería. Life and Death deal the Lotería cards but once a year, and the stakes could not be higher. Every card reveals a new twist in Clara’s fate—a scorpion, an arrow, a blood-red rose. If Life wins, Clara will live to a ripe old age. If Death prevails, she’ll flicker out like a candle.  But Clara knows none of this. All she knows is that her young cousin Esteban has vanished, and she’ll do whatever it takes to save him, traveling to the mythical Kingdom of Las Pozas, where every action has a price, and every choice has consequences. And though it seems her fate is sealed, Clara just might have what it takes to shatter the game and choose a new path. Karla Arenas Valenti weaves an adventure steeped in magic and mythology—gorgeously illustrated by Dana Sanmar—exploring the notion of free will in a world where fate holds all the cards.

The turn of a card could change your destiny in this captivating middle grade adventure based on the Lotería card game and perfect for fans of Coco. While searching for her missing cousin, a young girl is transported to a mythical kingdom, becoming entangled in a perilous game of chance.“A magical, philosophical tale rooted in Mexican lore.” —School Library Journal, starred reviewIn the hottest hour of the hottest day of the year, a fateful wind blows into Oaxaca City. It whistles down cobbled streets and rustles the jacaranda trees before slipping into the window of an eleven-year-old girl named Clara. Unbeknownst to her, Clara has been marked for la Lotería. Life and Death deal the Lotería cards but once a year, and the stakes could not be higher. Every card reveals a new twist in Clara’s fate—a scorpion, an arrow, a blood-red rose. If Life wins, Clara will live to a ripe old age. If Death prevails, she’ll flicker out like a candle.  But Clara knows none of this. All she knows is that her young cousin Esteban has vanished, and she’ll do whatever it takes to save him, traveling to the mythical Kingdom of Las Pozas, where every action has a price, and every choice has consequences. And though it seems her fate is sealed, Clara just might have what it takes to shatter the game and choose a new path. Karla Arenas Valenti weaves an adventure steeped in magic and mythology—gorgeously illustrated by Dana Sanmar—exploring the notion of free will in a world where fate holds all the cards.

An uplifting picture book that reminds children all over the world of God’s love for them—affirming their standing in His kingdom and reinforcing their God-given identity.I am beautifully made and crowned with glory and strength!I am filled with God’s power!I am building my life on Jesus, the solid rock!I am not afraid, for the Lord is always with me!Join children from Haiti, India, Korea, Rwanda, Spain, New Zealand, and many more countries as they each declare God's truth about their identities. Each page is a joyful exploration of how God has uniquely made every child to reveal His glory, but also serves as a beautiful reminder for kids about who they are—and, most important, whom they belong to.Featuring simple, biblically based affirmative statements and bold and vibrant illustrations, this inspirational celebration of a young believer’s identity in Christ is a must-have for every church and Christian family.

What lies behind the brilliant colors and intricate patterns of a traditional Mayan tunic? A Guatemalan girl reveals the ways a handwoven garment connects her to generations of women before her. Together, the threads in my huipil hold a message, tell a story of who we are. Of who I am. A young girl proudly wears a colorful tunic, or huipil, that features the sun’s reflection. It symbolizes the lake she lives on, a design she sometimes embellishes with shimmering sequins and beads. Her abuela’s huipil highlights zigzag mountains to stand for her home of origin, while her sister’s boasts butterflies like the ones that she rides in her daydreams. Indigenous to Mesoamerica, huipils use colors, imagery, symbols, and motifs to evoke everything from the wearer’s village to her social status, from her cultural heritage to the things that she loves. Combining a poetic text with vivid cut paper and digitally painted illustrations, interwoven with patterns from the huipils, this captivating book ends with an author’s note exploring the history and process of this rich tradition, and the challenges of keeping it alive.

"An excellent tribute to a cultural art form that should be featured in all picture book collections." —School Library Journal (starred review)¿Qué hay detrás de los colores brillantes e intricados diseños de una túnica tradicional maya? Una niña guatemalteca revela las maneras en que una vestimenta tejida a mano la conecta con generaciones de mujeres antes que ella. What lies behind the brilliant colors and intricate patterns of a traditional Mayan tunic? A Guatemalan girl reveals the ways a handwoven garment connects her to generations of women before her. Juntos, los hilos de mi huipil guardan un mensaje, y una historia sobre quiénes somos. Sobre quién soy yo. Una muchacha luce con orgullo una colorida túnica o huipil, que incluye el reflejo del sol. Simboliza el lago donde vive, un diseño que ella a veces realza con relucientes lentejuelas y cuentas. El huipil de su abuela destaca montañas serpenteantes que simbolizan su tierra natal, mientras que el de su hermana está adornado de mariposas, como las que ella monta en su imaginación. Los huipiles son autóctonos de Mesoamérica, y tienen colores, imágenes, símbolos y detalles que evocan desde la aldea de donde proviene la que lo viste hasta su estatus social, desde su herencia cultural hasta las cosas que ama. Este cautivante libro combina un texto poético con brillantes recortes de papel e ilustraciones pintadas digitalmente, entretejidas con patrones de los huipiles. Termina con una nota del autor donde relata la historia y el proceso de esta rica tradición y el reto de mantenerla viva. Together, the threads in my huipil hold a message, tell a story of who we are. Of who I am. A young girl proudly wears a colorful tunic, or huipil, that features the sun’s reflection. It symbolizes the lake she lives on, a design she sometimes embellishes with shimmering sequins and beads. Her abuela’s huipil highlights zigzag mountains to stand for her home of origin, while her sister’s boasts butterflies like the ones that she rides in her daydreams. Indigenous to Mesoamerica, huipils use colors, imagery, symbols, and motifs to evoke everything from the wearer’s village to her social status, from her cultural heritage to the things that she loves. Combining a poetic text with vivid cut paper and digitally painted illustrations, interwoven with patterns from the huipils, this captivating book ends with an author’s note exploring the history and process of this rich tradition, and the challenges of keeping it alive.