Rio Cortez

Open your eyes, give a great big stretch, and head straight for the best spot in the whole house. Can you guess where it is? It is the cozy blue velvet chair right by the living room window. When you sit in this special seat, you have the perfect view of the entire world outside. Watch closely as the seasons change right before your eyes. You will see the slick rain of spring showers tapping on the glass. Later, you will watch the roof turn white with winter snow. When the icy days pass, the sunshine will pour back through the glass to warm your skin. As the days turn into months, the world outside will keep changing, and you will grow and change, too. But no matter what happens outside the window, the soft, warm hug of the blue velvet chair will always be there waiting for you.

Get ready to celebrate the disruptors, the dreamers, and the determined do-it-yourself-ers who blazed a path forward for everyone. This inspiring journey through the alphabet introduces you to the groundbreaking women who helped build the world we live in today. From A to Z, you will discover incredible artists, brave activists, and loyal allies who fought for civil rights and made history happen. You will learn about major milestones, like Kamala Harris becoming the first African-American and Asian-American Vice President, and the brave pioneers at Seneca Falls. This beautiful book focuses especially on Black women, brown women, and transwomen who stood up and sparked real change. It is a story of persistence, pride, and incredible progress. Read along to find out how these amazing heroes faced challenges with courage. Their historic moments just might inspire you to become part of the next generation that builds a brighter, better tomorrow.

Take a magical walk down the hill in Harlem and discover the power of family, memory, and water. Every single day, Abuela misses the bright, warm ocean of Puerto Rico. But when Saturday arrives and the sun is high in the sky, she takes her granddaughter by the hand for a special trip to Twelfth Avenue. Their destination is the Hudson River, a place that holds its own kind of magic. Together, they stand by the edge of the iconic waterway that welcomed millions of new Americans. You will watch as they make heartfelt offerings to Yemaya, the ancient goddess of the sea. This beautiful journey shows how love is passed down from one generation to the next. Join Abuela and her granddaughter as they share their childlike curiosity, celebrate their deep family roots, and find a piece of the vast ocean right in the middle of the city.

B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright! Get ready to take a bold and inspiring journey through the alphabet as you explore the rich history and culture of Black Americans. Letter by letter, this vibrant book celebrates a powerful story that spans across continents and centuries, filled with triumph, creativity, and joy. You will discover big ideas, like P for Power and S for Science and Soul. You will also learn about significant historical moments, like the Great Migration, and meet iconic figures from Zora Neale Hurston to Malcolm X. With engaging rhyming text and stunning artwork, this is an alphabet adventure like no other. It is a beautiful celebration of hope, love, and the incredible people who have shaped our world. You will love reading these rhythmic pages while discovering the heroes and milestones of Black history.