Mercè López – illustratör

A lyrical picture book about one little girl’s experience with colorism—and a celebration of that which can make us see things anew: light and love.Ritu loves the sun. She loves it in the morning when it slants in through the kitchen window; in the afternoon when it makes the pool sparkle; and in the evening when it lights up the sky with splashes of orange and pink. But her Nani is worried the sun will give Ritu a tan.Can Ritu convince her that all skin colors are beautiful—including Nani's own?With poetic text and stunning illustrations, this poignant story is sure to inspire children to embrace their own unique beauty—and it includes the author's grandmother's own aloo bhaji and roti recipes at the back.

Smoke speaks in mesmerising riddles: “I lack a mouth, but I can speak… I lack hands, but I can push out unwanted guests… I’m gentler than a feather, but I can cause harm…” This rhythmically powerful narration is complemented by illustrations in which swirling smoke was captured on art paper held over smoky candle flames, and the dancing smoke textures were then deepened and elaborated with watercolours and Photoshop finishes. With this unique method, Mercè López “let the smoke decide how the idea I had in mind would dance with it, giving freedom to the images”. The resulting illustrations are astounding, and they resonate with the otherworldly text.

We invite you into this charming picture book about a single dad (a rarity in the picture book world) and his little boy, who turns out to be very wise. From their secret handshake to their mutual problem-solving, this father and son have winning ways.Written with lessons that apply to any family with young children, the book is distinctively told from a father's perspective, and built on how a son and dad listen to and learn from each other. This is a tale of how to conquer frustration no matter what the problem.

What does every living thing on the planet depend on? Weighing nothing and zooming as fast as 186,000 miles per second? Light, of course! Told in lyrical, riddling first-person narrative, Light boasts of its essential role in life as we know it–from fuelling the wheel of life to humans' celebration of it as the year turns. Back matter about the science of light and major historical discoveries enhances the book for STEM learning.

In an era when few women practiced science, Eunice Newton Foote dared to search for answers to a mystery that no one else had solved.A visionary scientist, suffragist, and mother, Eunice conducted a groundbreaking experiment that uncovered the first clues about global warming. Defying the limitations society placed on her, she boldly pursued her hypothesis, paving the way for our modern understanding of climate change.With captivating text and vibrant illustrations, this gorgeous biography sheds light on the long-overlooked story of a revolutionary woman in STEM.

A young boy on a crowded bus discovers that, after some wiggles and giggles, there’s room for everyone in this lighthearted rhyming picture book set in Zanzibar.The dala dala rumbles and roars as Musa and Dada drive off to the shore—but the bus stops for multiple detours: “Do you need a ride? It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun! Come in, there’s room for everyone!” One stop becomes two stops which soon becomes ten, and Musa wonders when it will end: “How can any more people get in? We’re already smushed like sardines in a tin!” But there's always room for one more, if you make the room, which is the heartwarming take-away from this bouncy, joyous tale in rhyme.

Love! Betrayal! Ambition! Tragedy! Jealousy! William Shakespeare's universal themes continue to resonate with readers of all ages more than 400 years after his death. This wonderful, fully illustrated book introduces children to the Bard and more than thirty of his most famous and accessible verses, sonnets, and speeches. From “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” to “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” and “All the world’s a stage,” the words and poetry of the greatest playwright and poet spring to life on the page.  The next generation of readers, poets, and actors will be entranced by these works of Shakespeare. Each poem is illustrated and includes an explanation by an expert and definitions of important words to give kids and parents the fullest explanation of their content and impact. "An enticing entree to the glories of Shakespeare's verse." —Kirkus Reviews"A richly illustrated selection of 31 poems and excerpts from Shakespeare's most popular works. The selected writings provide a fantastic scope of Shakespeare's oeuvre. ... López's illustrations are intricate, dramatic, and moody; they help bring life and meaning to the words." —School Library Journal

Told in lyrical, riddling first-person narrative, Gravity boasts of its essential role in life as we know it--from the pulling of the ocean's tides to the vastness of the stars in the sky. Back matter about the science of gravity and major historical discoveries enhances the book for STEM learning.

What can you smell, hear and feel but never see? Soft as a feather or strong as a storm? Bringing comfort and delight or chaos and destruction? Wind, of course!Told in lyrical, riddling first-person narrative, Wind boasts of its essential role in life as we know it–from carving the Earth's face to spreading seeds and pollen. Back matter about the science of wind and weather, including major historical moments and discoveries enhances the book for STEM learning.