Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña

By Marsha Diane Arnold, Angela Domínguez
Paperback: $12.95

This charming bilingual English & Spanish picture book from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela, and Me introduces the fascinating creatures of the Galápagos Islands through the life of one very lucky girl.

Description

Valentina was born on an island formed by fire, surrounded by blue-green sea.

As a Galápagueña, Valentina spends her days observing the natural world around her. She greets sea lions splashing on the shore, scampers over lava rocks with Sally-lightfoot crabs, and swims with manta rays. But Valentina also understands the fragility of this wondrous world, and she makes a solemn promise to protect the islands and her animal friends.

This delightful bilingual story was inspired by the childhood of Valentina Cruz, whose family was one of the first permanent inhabitants of the Galápagos. Valentina is now a biologist and naturalist guide who has dedicated her life to the conservation of the islands. Whimsical illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Dominguez transport readers to these unique islands, which shelter a diverse number of plant and animal species, many found of which can be found nowhere else on the planet. Come discover this beautiful world with Valentina and her animal friends!

About the Creators

Marsha Diane Arnold

Marsha Diane Arnold is an award-winning picture-book author. Her past titles include the Smithsonian Notable Book The Pumpkin Runner and Lost. Found., which received three starred reviews. Marsha was inspired to write Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña after traveling to the Galápagos Islands, where she met Valentina Cruz and had the opportunity to swim with sea lions and dolphins. She lives with her family in Alva, Florida. You can find her online at marshadianearnold.com.

Angela Domínguez

Angela Domínguezis the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the Children's Book Press title Let Me Help! / ¡Quiero ayudar! She's a two-time Pura Belpré Illustration Honoree whose debut middle grade novel, Stella Díaz Has Something To Say, was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids, Sid Fleischman Award winner, and an ALA Notable. She illustrated the New York Times Bestseller Just Help! How to Build a Better World written by Sonia Sotomayor. When Angela is not in her studio or visiting schools, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. Visit her online at angeladominguezbooks.com.

Reviews

  • "Readers accompany Cruz on an introductory tour of Floreana, brought to vivid life through illustrator Dominguez's digitally colored pencil illustrations... With its vibrant illustrations and engaging text about a true Galapagueña, the volume shows that Cruz has kept her promise to her beloved Floreana all these years."

    - The Horn Book
  • "Will fascinate readers with Valentina's magical island life, and they will wish for nothing more than to swim with manta rays themselves. A timely lesson of conservation that will get kids looking at the wildlife around them and saying, 'We will not forget you. And we will keep you safe.'"

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Readers are presented here with an unsung and worthy heroine."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892394807
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Mar 07, 2023
  • Trim Size 10.25 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 0.46875 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892394135
  • Price $19.95
  • Publication Date Sep 18, 2018
  • Trim Size 10.25 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 1 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Imprint Children's Book Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Science & Nature / Environment
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / Caribbean & Latin America
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Girls & Women
  • Themes Animal / Biodiversity / Plant Adaptations, Animals, Bilingual, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Diversity, Empathy / Compassion, Environment / Nature, Exploring Ecosystems, Fiction, Home, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Kindness / Caring, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Nature / Science, Realistic Fiction, Responsibility, STEM / STEAM
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 4 - 8
  • Grade Range Grades PreK - 3
  • Guided Reading P
  • Spanish Guided Reading P
  • DRA 30
  • Interest Level Grades PreK - 5
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 700
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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