This project has been close to my heart for a long time. It's a children's book, but not really. It's a way to give children a voice, particularly children detained at the United States' southern border. Brandon Curl and Dale Austin, my colleagues at GSD&M, conceived it, and Warren Binford from Project Amplify, an organization dedicated to establishing legal protection for children in migration detained by the U.S., compiled it.
I served as collaborator and translator (with Diana Farias and Marcela Masso). It is beautifully illustrated by 17 Latinx artists, including Bayo Is Eduardoflores (also involved in No Seas Wey), who donated their endless talent and limited time. If you choose to buy it (it is available anywhere you buy books), know that 100% of the royalties will be donated to Project Amplify.
Thank you to all who have given their time and effort to make this a reality.
Awards and Citations:
2022 Clio Awards: Bronze in the Design category for Public Service and Publishing
2022 District 10 American Advertising Awards: Gold in Branded Content & Entertainment, Illustration, and Art Direction
2022 One Show: Bronze Pencil Publishing & Printed Materials/Public Service
2022 The One Club Merit Honor
2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor Book
2022 American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children's Book
2021 Kirkus Best Books of the Year
2021 International Latino Book Awards – First Place in Best Nonfiction Picture Book in English and Spanish
The book was also named to the New York Public Library’s “Best Books for Kids of 2021”