LeoNora M. Cohen

Maria Loves Mud

Maria is a small girl who loves to play in mud, drawing in
it, squishing it between her toes, asking so many questions. She imagines all manner of uses for it. She loves science in school and wants to learn more, but doing so is a challenge.

Her grandmother disapproves, telling her that girls don't
get dirty, don't like science, shouldn't ask so many questions, and don't need high school. As the matriarch, usually what grandma says is law, but Maria's mom quietly supports her passion.

When Maria wants to go to high school and her mother says
there is not enough money, Maria seeks help from her teacher.  She gets a scholarship that allows her to attend and continue her education.  In Mexico, high school costs make continuing school impossible for many families.  Maria’s
family rallies around her accomplishments.

This story shows a courageous young girl who bucks the
familial, cultural, economic and societal norms to pursue her education and her passion, science.  Today, girls are especially encouraged to pursue STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The illustrations by Estefani Venegas Cadena, a 15-year-old
girl from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, captures the story in a charming and refreshing way, allowing the reader to make sense of the second language through the pictures.

All profits from this book benefit Mujeres en Cambio, an organization that provides scholarships to middle and high school girls in and around San Miguel, extending into university support if the student wants to attend. By educating young women, the entire family is lifted out of poverty.

About the Artist:  Estefan Venegas Cadena

Estéfani Venegas Cadena is 15 years old and lives in San Miguel de, Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. She started high school in September, 2016 to study Physics and Mathematics, using her earnings from these
illustrations to help pay for high school. She loves to read, draw, and learn new things, so she illustrated this book.

Estéfani has been studying English for the past two years with a tutor, an American woman who has helped her with this project. Estéfani is doing very well with her English and she gets good marks at school in all subjects. 

She recently won first place in the English spelling bee at her school. She hopes to draw many other pictures full of color.  She is grateful for the opportunity to have illustrated this story. She is very excited about becoming a graphic artist and perhaps fashion designer.