Cynthia Harmony | cynthiaharmony.com

Bilingual Children's Author

Books

A gorgeous picture book featuring a Mexican American family that’s as comforting as a warm embrace – great for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and baby gifts!

Every day for Luna starts and ends with Mami’s apapachos. Her warm cuddles fill Luna's heart, like stars fill the sky. They make her feel safe. They make her feel seen. But, oh no, Mami has to take a trip! What will Luna do without Mami's hugs?

Maybe…apapachos can come from other people, too.

Like Abue’s, which makes Luna feel brave. And Daddy’s, which makes her giggle. Not to mention her dog, Benito’s wet nuzzle which tells her to rise and shine with a smile. It turns out even when Mami’s far away, her love is all around.

Apapacho love is everywhere!

Farrar, Straus and Giroux Macmillan Jan 13, 2026

Written by Cynthia Harmony

Illustrated by Erika Meza

apapacho love ISBN: 9780374391836

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a flicker of hope ISBN: 9780593525760

UN ALETEO DE ESPERANZA ISBN: 9780593525791

Viking, Feb 27, 2024

Written by Cynthia Harmony

Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

Translated by Cynthia Harmony

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.

National Council of Teachers of English - Charlotte Huck Outstanding Fiction for Children Honor Book Award 2025
A Blueberry Award Honor Book 2024
Children's Book Council 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
National Science Teaching Association Outstanding Science Trade Book
American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2025
A Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year 2024
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2024
Chicago Public Library Best Books 2024
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Bank Street College of Education The Best Children's Books of the Year 2025 Edition
Common Sense Selection for Families Common Sense Media

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Also available in Spanish

Español

PRAISE

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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

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW

“After “a million monarchs flicker magic into the sky,” the smartly twined telling follows Lucía’s community braiding baskets of “ocoxal leaves and memories,” and migrant workers, including Papá, “in search of fields, crops, and a better tomorrow.” Read full review

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW

“ The potential age range for this book is broad: younger children may simply enjoy the family story, while older children could be prompted to have in-depth conversations about complicated concepts. This magnificent and hopeful tale of journeys and returns is recommended for first purchase.” Read full review

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW

“Rarely have the big ideas of family, tradition, labor, ecosystems, and interdependence been presented in such a loving and approachable way.." Read full review

OUR WORLD: MEXICO ISBN: 9781646868476
Barefoot Books, Apr 2023

Written by Cynthia Harmony
Illustrated by Claudia Navarro

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.

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PRAISE

Video

BOOK trailer

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.

MI CIUDAD SINGS ISBN: 9780593226841

MI CIUDAD CANTA ISBN: 9780593520055

Penguin Workshop, Jun 14, 2022

Written by Cynthia Harmony

Illustrated by Teresa Martinez

Translated by Cynthia Harmony

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.

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION

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MI CIUDAD SINGS

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MI CIUDAD CANTA

PRAISE

coming soon!

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Educational market Early Readers

Good People Everywhere

Treasure Hunt in the City

The Magic Corncob

About

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, nature and joy rooted in my heritage.

My all-time favorite place to live was Playa del Carmen, QR México. Home is now Tucson, Arizona where I live with my husband, our two amazing niños that help me pick character names, a dog, and two fish.

PRESS KIT

BIO

Cynthia Harmony is a bilingual children's author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. Her titles include MI CIUDAD SINGS & MI CIUDAD CANTA (Penguin Workshop, 2022), OUR WORLD: MEXICO (Barefoot Books, 2023), and the highly praised A FLICKER OF HOPE, UN ALETEO DE ESPERANZA (Viking, 2024) which received a NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor Award and was selected as one of the best children's books of the year by Kirkus and ALA.

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.

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

SCHOOL VISITS & story times

In-person or virtual presentations in English or Spanish include:

Path to becoming an author
- From first draft to bookstores
- Inspiration: writing fiction from real events
- Hands on activity: Writing a story together
Reading of A FLICKER OF HOPE/UN ALETEO DE ESPERANZA