Anika Aldamuy Denise writes many picture books that make her laugh, touch her heart, inspire her curiosity, and celebrate her bicultural Puerto Rican-Italian heritage.
Her stories are often about family and reflect her bicultural heritage and upbringing. In her nonfiction work, Anika celebrates the important contributions of influential Latinas, so that readers of all backgrounds, but especially those in the Latina community, are inspired to be brave and show off their gifts to the world.
Her forthcoming nonfiction project is A Girl Named Rosita, a picture book biography of legendary Puerto Rican actress and singer Rita Moreno, illustrated by Leo Espinosa.
Anika grew up in Queens and now lives with her husband, three daughters, and their cuddly cat in Rhode Island.
Anika’s most recent book, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, is an award-winning picture book about the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, who did groundbreaking work preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.
Some of Anika’s other books include:
- Bunny in the Middle (for ages 3-6)
- The Love Letter (for ages 4-8)
- Monster Trucks (for ages 4-8)
- Lights, Camera, Carmen! (for ages 5-7)
- Starring Carmen (for ages 5-7)
Read more about these books on our Women’s History Suggested Reading List.
