Ofrenda That We Built

Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm surrounded by animals, plants, and history. She is an award-winning teacher-librarian and has been working with neurodivergent learners at Denver Academy since 1995. She lives with her family in Denver, Colorado, and is the author of several books for children. This is Jolene’s first co-written book, and she’s overjoyed that she was able to create it with her daughter, Shaian. You can find her at jolenegutierrez.com.  Shaian Gutiérrez’s family is from Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, in Mexico, and she loves to show her appreciation for her Mexican roots through her work, whether it’s writing, creating art, or cooking. In 2022, she graduated from Colorado College with a double major in art and Hispanic studies, earning a distinction in Spanish after presenting two theses and winning a grant to create art abroad about Mexican collective identity. You can find her on Instagram at @_art_by_shai_.  Gabby Zapata is an artist from Los Angeles, California, of Mexican and Colombian descent. She is a character designer and visual development artist for both feature animation and television. She has worked for various studios, including Disney, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Pixar, and DreamWorks. You can find her at gabbyzapata.com.

“A lively and illuminating look at a holiday tradition.” —Kirkus Reviews