I Am Salsa

In the vein of Grandma’s Records and Kitchen Dance comes a vibrant picture book—based on the author’s own childhood experiences—about a girl who learns to believe in herself, embrace her culture, and enjoy time with family as she learns how to salsa.

Each Saturday night, Marisol’s entire family comes together to salsa! Everyone—Mami and Papi, primos, tías, and even abuelo—twirls and sways to the catchy rhythm.

But since she was a baby, Mari’s clumsy feet get twisted and her moves get mixed up. It’s better if she just sits and watches everybody else dance. Though, with a little help from Papi, maybe Mari will learn to feel the beat of the instruments from around the world and find herself in the flow.

Acclaimed author Jackie Azúa Kramer and award-winning artist Elisa Chavarri unite to tell this heartfelt story about confidence, family, and the music and culture of salsa.

Includes an author’s note, a glossary, and information about salsa. 

Jackie Azúa Kramer is an award-winning and internationally translated children’s book author. Her picture books include The Green Umbrella, If You Want to Fall Asleep, The Boy and the Gorilla, I Wish You Knew, and others. Jackie lives with her family in Long Island, New York.

Elisa Chavarri is an illustrator and animator who has loved drawing and coloring since before she can remember. This love turned into a passion for comics and animation, both of which she studied at Savannah College of Art and Design. She has previously illustrated Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography by Wendy Loggia, Santa Goes Green by Anne Margaret Lewis, and Fairly Fairy Tales by Esme Raji Codell. Elisa lives with her husband in Northville, Michigan.