award-winning writer / translator / community builder
Alexandria Giardino
Kirkus Starred Review
Lovely—a perfect segue into discussions about loneliness, empathy, refugees, and more.
New York Times
Children who love words should warm to [Ode to an Onion]… In Felicita Sala’s vivacious and beautifully detailed drawings… Matilde’s smile and Pablo’s glum expression give a tender humor to this real-life relationship.
Publishers Weekly
Hits the right notes with The Good Song… presenting the life of revered Hawaiian singer Iz Kamakawiwoʻole.
BOOKS
"This one is a treat for the eyes and ears."
-Maria Russo, New York Times Children's Books Special,
"Beautiful on all counts."
-Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal
"A reminder of the importance of a sustained connection to gratitude." -Julie Danielson, 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Inspired by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's "Ode to the Onion," this story is less biography and more a simple ode to a vegetable that is at once humble and noble, dark and light, full of grief and full of joy—just like life. WINNER of the 2018 NCBR Young Children's Literature Award, Junior Library Guild Selection, and Shortlisted for the 2018 NCIBA Golden Poppy Award. Available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
"Alexandria Giardino's story celebrates the importance of friendship and of recognizing the overlooked."
"This is one of those rare picture books... Lovely."
ME + TREE reimagines what happens to the Giving Tree many years on, when a girl new to the city befriends an old tree at the playground. In sharing their stories and revealing their joys and sorrows, they see into each other’s lives, discovering, as all true friends do, that being seen and understood is one of the purest expressions of love. FINALIST for a 2021 GOLDEN KITE Award and CYBILS Award finalist Nature picture books. Available in English, French, and Polish.
Inspired by the medley of the classic songs “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” sung by Hawaiian singer Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo‘ole, the good song is aloha—love. Listen to IZ sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" FINALIST for the 2020 NCBR Young Children's Literature Award. Please support Native Hawaiian storytelling at Mo'olelo and Tales of Hawaii.
El partido es LARGO. Es ABURRIDO. Pero hoy, los dos tienen boletos para el GRAN PARTIDO. El equipo de “los Buenos” juega contra el equipo de “los Otros Chicos”. Desde el primer lanzamiento en la altura de la primera entrada hasta el final, emocionante y angustioso jonrón en la parte baja de la novena entrada Mikey aprende porque el béisbol es EL JUEGO MÁS GRANDE DEL MUNDO. Un libro para niños de 4 a 8 años, publicado por Cameron Kids, otoño 2017.
STORYTIME FRIENDS
In 2021, I co-founded STORYTIME FRIENDS, a nonprofit organization that brings the joy and power of storytelling to children in hospitals through author/illustrator visits and picture book give-aways. We believe in having fun and creating a sense of friendship and community through books. We support upholding the emotional safety of patients by helping to reduce stress and lift spirits. For more information about this project, visit our website.
EVENTS & MEDIA
I regularly visit bookstores and schools. Reach out about scheduling.
ABOUT ME
I love being a storyteller and connecting with people through books, art, music, ceremony, and nature.
I have lived in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Santiago, Chile, where I wrote, translated, and sold art. My translation of Pablo Neruda's wife's memoir, My Life with Pablo Neruda is available here. Some of my essays have appeared in English and Spanish in numerous publications and on air at KQED.
I have been a panelist and presenter on topics related to writing for children. I'm also a longtime writing teacher at the college level.
To schedule a virtual or in-person event, please contact me HERE.
When I am not writing for children, I am also a somatic DJ, producer, and community events creator. For more about this, see my website cianadjs.com
