Books

My latest historical picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, published by Millbrook Press is now out. This true story is set during the Great Depression. The setting is in San Antonio, Texas. It is the story of a young girl who created a beautiful work of art for the president of the United States out of discarded wooden boxes that had been used for food-relief. The art is still on display at the FDR museum. The book received the Junior Library Guild award and is one of the books selected for the Bank Street College of Education’s 2024 Best Children’s Books of the Year. Order at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

View all books individually below, or on Arte Publico Press, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. You can also click the titles below to go directly to a book on the page.

Let’s Salsa / Bailemos salsaPrint

Published 2013
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Robert Casilla

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In this bilingual picture book for children ages 5-9, a young girl learns that dancing is good for fun and fitness, and that even kids can change the way things are done.

PrintLupita’s First Dance / El primer baile de Lupita

Published 2012
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Gabhor Utomo

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Lupita finds herself on stage, in the spot where she and Ernesto should have been. She begins to dance the routine she knows so well, holding her arms out to an imaginary partner, and almost flees when the audience laughs at her.

Alicia's Fruity DrinksAlicia’s Fruity Drinks / Las aguas frescas de Alicia

Published 2012
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Laura Lacámara

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In this bilingual picture book for children ages 5-8, a young girl discovers a treat from her mother’s Mexican-American childhood and becomes her friends’ favorite player with her healthy, frothy fruit drinks.

Battle of the Snow ConesThe Battle of the Snow Cones / La guerra de las raspas

Published 2010
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Alisha Gambino
Spanish Amira Plascencia

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Readers will enjoy the girls’ clever antics to attract customers in this lively, colorful picture book for children ages 4 – 8. And just as important, children will learn—along with Elena and Alma—that competitors can still be friends.

The Woodcutter's GiftThe Woodcutter’s Gift / El regalo del leñador

Published 2007
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Elaine Jerome
Spanish Gabriela Baeza Ventura

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Children and adults alike are thrilled with their life-sized private zoo created from a discarded tree! But the woodcutter is visited by strangers from a folk art museum who want to buy the pieces for their collection. Will Tomás sell the town’s new zoo animals so that others can enjoy them too?

Lupita’s Papalote / El papalote de LupitaLupita's Papalote

Published 2002
Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Illustrator Pauline Rodriguez Howard
Spanish Gabriela Baeza Ventura

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Graced with tender illustrations and playful text, this joyful bilingual picture book offers children aged 3 to 7 the opportunity to let their imaginations fly with Lupita’s.