How to Make a Mariela

Mariela lives in a small town upstate, where snow falls and trees grow tall-but part of her heart belongs to a lively city full of music, family, and flavor. At school, she sometimes feels different. With her cousins, she sometimes feels unsure. As Mariela moves between worlds, she wonders where she truly fits in.

Through gentle rhyme and warm illustrations, How to Make a Mariela celebrates the beauty of holding many cultures, places, and stories at once. It reminds children-and the adults who read with them-that we don't have to choose between parts of ourselves to belong.

Perfect for families navigating multicultural identities, blended cultures, or big questions about who we are, this debut picture book offers a reassuring message: every part of you matters.