With Lots of Love

A beautiful, lyrical story about a girl who moves from her home in Central America to the United States, and everything she leaves behind and longs for—especially her Abuela—as she makes a new life.

Rocio has grown up in Central America, but now she and her family are moving to the United States. Rocio does her best to adjust to a new way of living, but there are many things she misses from her old life—Abuela’s cooking, Abuela’s pinata creations, Abuela’s warm hugs, and of course, Abuela herself most of all. But Abuela finds a way to send Rocio something special just in time for her birthday—a gift wrapped with lots of love—and that fills Rocio to the brim.

About the Authors

Jenny Torres Sanchez is a full-time writer and former English teacher. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, but has lived on the border of two worlds her whole life. She is the author of Pura Belpré Author Honor Book We Are Not From Here; The Fall of Innocence; Because of the Sun; Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia; and The Downside of Being Charlie. With Lots of Love is her first picture book. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and children.  

Andre Ceolin is a self-taught illustrator from Brazil. He studied at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Melies, and Escola Panamericana de Artes to develop a signature look and learn new illustration techniques. He has illustrated over twenty books by publishers in Brazil such as Roda & Cia, Saber e Ler, SM, Moderna, FTD, Editora do Brasil, and Editora Abril, as well as books with HarperCollins, Sleeping Bear Press, and Apples & Honey Press. When not illustrating, he creates toys and small sculptures for his son. He also enjoys bicycling, playing his guitar, and singing. Andre lives in Brazil with his family.