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.
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
Laura Roettiger Books 
I LOVE Judith’s gorgeous book AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO and know kids will find beauty and solace in it. Congratulations, all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love when authors take something personal and combine it with fiction to make a beautiful story! Congrats!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO is such a gorgeous and moving book! Thanks for sharing the inspirations behind the story, Judith. I’m so happy to have met both you and Laura, fellow book-lovers and dog-lovers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill, thank you for sharing your kind words about this wonderful book! I loved it from the first moment I heard about it and really enjoyed learning more about Judith’s inspiration. Good luck in the giveaway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks and sounds beautiful! And so important for kids to learn how to live with loss. Thanks for sharing, Laura! And congrats to Judith and Carlos!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jilanne, it’s such an exquisite book and lovely tradition! Good luck in the giveaway and thank you for sharing on Twitter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
FYI, Your comments go to spam because you have links in them. Yes, Judith’s book is such a wonderful way for children and adults to learn to cope with loss.
LikeLike
Stories from the heart are my favorite to read and An Ofrenda for Perro is exactly that. So glad to see Judith’s story featured here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
This looks like an amazing story! So unique.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adriana, it’s an amazing book. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the giveaway.
LikeLike
I am so excited to read this book! Thank you for this opportunity.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping by, Christine. You are in for a treat, this book is a lovely tribute to anyone who has loved and lost a pet. Good luck in the giveaway.
LikeLike