Mia finds her bravery and catches her first real wave while surfing with her abuela in this joyful, lyrical picture book that's perfect for summer and for grandparent/grandchild sharing.One early morning, Mia and her abuela head to the ocean to surf. But Mia's tummy is churning wildly. Will she finally be able to make it past the whitewash? The way the waves are crashing makes her feel very small, and she admits to her grandmother that she's afraid. "It's OK to be scared, mi amor," her abuelita says. "Become friends with your fears and they turn into courage."
And so, with Lita's guidance and a newfound bravery, Mia is finally able to pop to her feet on the board. "¡Wepa!" her abuela cheers as Mia glides through the water, her heart leaping out of her chest. It's unlike anything in the world, and now she's ready to find the next wave and the next.
On sale: May 26, 2026
Age: 5-8 years
Grade: Grades K-3
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9780593857014
Alexandra Katona lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and dogs. She graduated from the University of Michigan, where she majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Spanish, and she now works in communications for the specialty coffee industry. This is her second picture book, and it's inspired by her family and her love of surfing (which she does year-round).
Sara Palacios earned BFA and MFA degrees in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. She has illustrated numerous picture books, including
Between Us and Abuela and
Plátanos Go with Everything, and she received a Pura Belpré Honor for
Marisol MacDonald Doesn't Match. She lives in San Francisco with her husband.
"Palacios’ simple, brightly colored graphic art pairs well with Katona’s text. An empowering tale of a youngster riding out waves of anxiety, with triumphant results." —
Kirkus
"Employing acrylic, gouache, and digital techniques for a mottled texture, vignettes and full-page scenes visualize the character’s transformation. This work successfully conjures the way confidence crests through connection with one’s feelings. —
Publishers Weekly
