Bilingual Author
Books
2024
RELEASE
a flicker of hope
Viking
February 13th, 2024
LUCÍA loves to watch the monarcas’ annual migration with her papá. But this year, their flight north holds extra weight: Papá is heading north, too, to work on faraway farms to feed his family. Though she hates to see him go, he leaves her a song and a promise that when the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, so will he. After many months apart, Lucía watches the skies for a flicker of hope, the monarchs’homecoming that signals Papá’s return.
Through parallel journeys, this love letter to the bonds that connect us celebrates the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders.
PRAISE FOR A FLICKER OF HOPE
KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW
“A beautiful story about cycles and traditions that shines a light on migration... The love between Lucia and her father reverberates deeply through subtle echoes." Read full review
2023
RELEASE
OUR WORLD: MEXICO
Barefoot Books
April 1st, 2023
Spend a day in Mexico with a baby and their family, from huevos in the morning to settling down for dulces sueños at night. Mexican author Cynthia Harmony and illustrator Claudia Navarro draw on their lived experiences in Mexico to create an authentic picture of modern Mexican life as part of the Our World Series for very young readers.
ORDER TODAY!
BOOK trailer
PRAISE FOR OUR WORLD: MEXICO
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW
In the “Our World” series, this book shows a scene of a mother waking up her child and a line of dialogue that uses both English and Spanish, along with a bit of help for pronunciation. “Buenos dias* I love to see el sol* and Mami’s smile!” A scene at the breakfast table references some of the foods, and the ebullient illustrations offer readers a multigenerational view of a family enjoying their meal. The day-in-the-life continues with a bus to school, the class, a museum, and later on dinner and bedtime! What a sweet way to visit Mexico! VERDICT A charming way to enjoy tiled streets, sunny sidewalks, and domestic scenes, and to take on new vocabulary.
2022
RELEASE
MI CIUDAD SINGS * MI CIUDAD CANTA
Penguin Workshop
June 14th, 2022
After experiencing a devastating earthquake, the spirit of a charming and vibrant Mexican neighborhood might be shaken, but it cannot be broken.
As a little girl and her dog embark on their daily walk through the city, they skip and spin to the familiar sounds of revving cars, clanking bikes, friendly barks, and whistling camote carts. But what they aren’t expecting to hear is the sound of a rumbling earthquake…and then…silence.
With captivating lyrical text and lively, beautiful illustrations, this heartwarming story reminds readers that they can choose to be strong and brave even when they are scared, and can still find joy and hope in the midst of sadness.
Order Today!
coming soon!
ABOUT
I grew up playing tennis and waiting for my family's next trip to Acapulco. A special weekend treat included drinking a tiny bottle of Chaparrita soda at one of the downtown pebbled streets of Mexico City. Chaparrita or Chapis later became my nickname (it means shorty).
Research for my Master's in Education at Universidad Complutense de Madrid became a series of textbooks, my first publication in the educational market in 2008. I've also worked with artists, designers, and scientists creating interactive exhibits and educational content for new Children's Museums and Science Centers.
In 2023, I received the Sustainable Arts Foundation Award for Illustrated Children's Books. In 2020, I won the "We Need Diverse Books" Picture Book Mentorship and cofounded "Latinxpitch" an ongoing effort to support underrepresented voices in children's literature. My books explore themes of community, friendship, family bonds, art, and joy rooted in my heritage.
My all-time favorite place to live was Playa del Carmen, QR México. Now I live in Tucson, AZ with my husband, our two amazing niños that help me pick character names, a dog, and two fish.
BIO
Cynthia Harmony is an author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. She is a 2023 recipient for the Sustainable Arts Foundation Illustrated Children's Books Award and author of MI CIUDAD SINGS, MI CIUDAD CANTA (2022) and OUR WORLD: MEXICO (2023). Her upcoming picture book A FLICKER OF HOPE (2024) will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish by Viking PRH. Both of her Spanish Picture Book titles are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections.
When not writing, Cynthia can be found in a museum with her kids, dancing to a Latin beat, daydreaming of tacos, or planning her next family trip.
Member of:
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Teaching Books Author page
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Download Mi Ciudad Sings Coloring Page
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Mi Ciudad Sings Activity idea board
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
SCHOOL VISITS
Virtual or in-person presentations in English or Spanish include:
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Intro to Mexico City and path to publication
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Reading of MI CIUDAD SINGS/MI CIUDAD CANTA or OUR WORLD: MEXICO
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Using real life events to write fiction
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Optional kindness and community activity
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Q&A
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Book signing/ Bookplates for virtual visits
Mi Ciudad Sings and Mi Ciudad Canta are perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month,
National Library Week, Children’s Book Week, and Spanish Immersion Programs.
For fees contact me here.
For Fiction and Non-Fiction Picture Book and Query Critiques contact me here.
WRITER RESOURCES
MEDIA & BLOGS
PODCASTS &
Videos
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2023 Sustainable Arts Award Recipient in the Illustrated Children's Books Category
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Explorer Tucson News
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Tucson Sentinel
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La Pagina Escrita Barcelona Reseña
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YA and Kids Book Central Interview
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Las Musas Debut Spotlight Book Birthday Blog
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We Need Diverse Books Book Birthday Interview
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Math is Everywhere Blog by Kaitlyn Sanchez
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Latinx in Kidlit -The importance of Community Guest Post
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We Need Diverse Books COVER REVEAL MI CIUDAD SINGS / MI CIUDAD CANTA
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Storystorm 2022 Tara Lazar Blog
EVENTS
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Club de Lecturas Mi Ciudad Canta Consulado Mexicano en Tucson
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Brightly Storytime in English and Spanish Video
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Here Wee Read Podcast
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The Written Page Interview
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Pine Reads Review University of Arizona Interview
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Las Musas Debut Spotlight Podcast
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Las Musas Podcast Debut Diaries, Picture Book Edition Episode 13
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Latinx Kidlit Book Festival 2021 Draw Off Panel Moderator
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Las Musas Podcast Debut Diaries Picture Book Authors Ep. 7
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NerdCamp PA Banned Books Edition July 15th, 2022
Meaningful Discussions through a Diverse Library
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Librería Gandhi Cuernavaca Sábado Octubre 14, 2023 1pm CuentaCuentos MI CIUDAD CANTA
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Consulado Mexicano en Tucson - Presentación Club de Lecturas
Septiembre 19, 2023 5.30pm FB Live @consulmex.tucson
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Our World Series Board Book Virtual Launch May 7th 2pm EST
with Ana Siqueira and Meera Sriram hosted by Vivian Kirkfield
Register here
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Oro Valley Public Library Author Talk
April 1st 10.30 am
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Our World: Mexico Book Launch
Mildred and Dildred Store Tucson
Saturday April 15th 10am
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Tucson Festival of Books, 2023 University of Arizona
March 4 - 2.30pm (Edu Room 333)
PANEL Writing a Picturebook: It's not easy
March 5 - 1pm (Edu Room 349)
Art Workshop: Kindness Keeps Us Singing
March 5 - 3pm (Storytime Tent)
Mi Ciudad Sings Storytime
Contact
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