Welcome Author Judith Valdés B.

Posted byauthorlaurablogPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , ,

Today I’m thrilled to welcome mi amiga Judith Valdés B who is a member of my PictureBookGold promotion group and the author of a beautiful book, AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO, illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera. This book is near and dear to my heart having taught in a school for many years in Chicago with a predominantly Mexican population where Day of the Dead was an important holiday for our families. The beautiful tradition of honoring loved ones this way is captured in both the words and the illustrations of AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO perfectly. Helping a young boy navigate the loss of a beloved dog, in such a tender way made this book special beyond measure. If you know me, you know how much of my heart has been taken up by Charlie and if you followed this blog from its first post, I wrote about the heartbreak of losing my previous pup.

Judith is offering one lucky winner a copy of AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO, please comment on this blogpost to enter the giveaway.

What were you like at the age of your target audience?

I grew up in a colorful Mexican town where kids played in the plaza until it was time for dinner. Even though I did enjoy playing with my friends, I also loved reading. I would often read the same books over and over again, in part because I always discovered something new each time. Besides books, I also loved my dogs. Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Both books and dogs offered me the peace and quiet companionship I needed to find myself. 

Judith’s children replicating a photo of Judith and her brother when they were young

What inspires you?

Behind each story I have written lies a personal experience, a bit of me. My debut picture book, AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO, captures the immense love and hope. When I was the age of the main character, Benito, I pondered the significance of celebrating Dia de Muertos. Having at that time experienced the loss of my beloved pet, Muñeca, the idea of celebrating the dead seemed puzzling to me. Most of the words found in this book were ones that my parents and grandparents shared with me in a way to help with my mourning and healing process. 

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

This book is meant for those who have experienced both the tremendous love and loss of a loved one. AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO was written with children in mind, especially those who have experienced the loss of a pet. In the pages of the book, I tried to capture the profound connection between grief and the genuine solace that emerges from one’s cherished memories.

What’s next for you?

 am working on three more fiction stories and two non-fiction ones about little-known individuals. While initially trained as an illustrator, I stumbled upon a profound passion for crafting stories inspired by my own experiences.

You can learn more about Judith, her illustrations and her writing here:

Website: https://judithvaldesb.com/

Twitter/X: JudithValdesB

Instagram: JudithValdesB

Facebook: JudithValdesB

Published by authorlaurablog

I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.

16 thoughts on “Welcome Author Judith Valdés B.”

    1. Jolene, thank you for sharing your kind words for Judith. I know understand the beauty and comfort creating an ofrenda can offer and how a book like this can help children navigate challenging losses. Good luck in the giveaway.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you for reading, Rachel. I’m always fascinated by how we come up with stories and the different angles authors can have even when they are writing about the same event or person. Good luck in the giveaway.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! This is such a wonderful book and I hope you are able to get a copy whether you win it here, buy it elsewhere, or have your library purchase it. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.