Francisco Alarcón

Francisco Alarcón was a renowned poet and educator, and a three-time winner of the Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for his bilingual Magical Cycle of the Seasons series of poetry for children. His many other honors include the American Book Award, the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, the Chicano Literary Prize, and finalist for state poet laureate of California. Alarcón was also the author of several poetry collections for adults and textbooks for teaching Spanish. In addition, he directed the Spanish for Native Speakers Program at the University of California. Alarcón passed away in early 2016. Paula Barragán is a native of Quito, Ecuador. She received her degree in graphic design and illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to being a painter, Barragán is a printmaker and carpet designer. Her fine art pieces have been shown at galleries in the United States and South America. Barragán currently lives in Quito. This is her first picture book.