A Girl Named Rosita

The inspiring biography of the incredibly talented Rita Moreno, actor in and executive producer of Steven Speilberg's upcoming West Side Story.

When young Rosita moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, she didn’t know what to expect—but she knew she loved to sing and dance. Working to overcome the language barrier and bullying she experienced in a strange new country, Rita eventually made her way to Hollywood with a dream to be a star. There, she fought to be seen and heard and eventually reached the pinnacle of success, landing her iconic role in West Side Story and, finally, winning her groundbreaking Oscar.

Brought to life by the bold and vibrant illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Leo Espinosa (Islandborn), and lyrical text of Pura Belpré Honor winner Anika Aldamuy Denise (Planting Stories), this gorgeous tribute to the life and career of the first Latinx person to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award will inspire little dreamers everywhere.

Anika Aldamuy Denise is the celebrated author of many picture books, including The Love Letter; Pura Belpré Honor-winning Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré; Starring Carmen!; Lights, Camera, Carmen!; and Monster Trucks. She lives in Rhode Island with her family. 

Leo Espinosa is an award-winning illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia, whose picture books include the New York Times bestselling and Pura Belpré Honor book IslandBorn by Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Díaz, Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones, and Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph by Lucy Margaret Rozier. Leo lives with his family in Salt Lake City, Utah

"An inspirational title for young elementary children. This energetic, illustrated biography honors her determined spirit with colorful exuberance."—School Library Journal (starred review)

Espinosa’s illustrations are as vibrant as the character he portrays....An inspiring account of a woman who followed her dreams.  - Kirkus Reviews