Cynthia Harmony | cynthiaharmony.com

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Bilingual Author

Books

2024

RELEASE

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a flicker of hope

Viking

February 27th, 2024

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.

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION

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Also available in Spanish

Penguin RH

Español

PRAISE FOR A FLICKER OF HOPE

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 JOUNRAL 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

2023

RELEASE

OUR WORLD: MEXICO
Barefoot Books
April 1st, 2023

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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Signed copies

Video

BOOK trailer

PRAISE FOR OUR WORLD: MEXICO

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.

2022

RELEASE

MI CIUDAD SINGS * MI CIUDAD CANTA

Penguin Workshop

June 14th, 2022

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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AVAILABLE AS PLAYAWAY WONDERBOOK

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Barnes & Noble

Penguin RH

MI CIUDAD SINGS

Barnes & Noble

Penguin RH

MI CIUDAD CANTA

Indie Bound

Bookshop

Book Depository

Gandhi Librerías México

PRAISE FOR MI CIUDAD SINGS

coming soon!

Educational market Early Readers

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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 author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. She is a 2023 recipient for the Sustainable Arts Foundation Illustrated Children's Books Award and author of OUR WORLD: MEXICO (Barefoot Books, 2023) and JLG Gold Standard Selections MI CIUDAD SINGS, MI CIUDAD CANTA (Penguin Workshop, 2022) and the 3 starred reviewed A FLICKER OF HOPE, UN ALETEO DE ESPERANZA (Viking, 2024).

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.