Here’s the short version: buy my book! (Then leave a review letting others know what you think!) This bilingual English-Spanish picture book is available in hardcover (click here to buy hardcover version), paperback (click here to buy paperback version), or ebook (click here to buy Kindle version).
And the longer version: this book has been a long time coming…about 9 years by my calculations:
- 2016: My first desire for a book like this to exist, that helps the children welcoming a foster child into their family, is born.
- 2019: I first seriously consider that maybe I could write the book that I wish existed.
- 2021: I write (get feedback, revise, etc.) the manuscript and send to a few publishers who specialize in children/family/mental health/coping type books and accept unsolicited manuscripts. (No one picks it up.)
- 2023: I first seriously consider that maybe I could independently publish the book that I wish existed…but I will need illustrations! I also realize it would be a great resource to have available in Spanish as well as English.
- 2024: I take an illustration class with the goal of deciding whether I will illustrate myself, or hire an illustrator…I decide to illustrate myself, and begin work. Expanding Circle Press is founded, my publishing imprint based in Sioux City, Iowa. I hire an amazing translator to help me make it a bilingual reality.
- 2025: I finish illustrations, design the cover, and design the book (get feedback, edit, etc.)…and make decisions (many more than I realized I would need to make!) about where to print, how to distribute, what to charge, how to share, etc.
- September 1, 2025: Book is available for purchase! Yay!
- …and heads up: October 11, 2025: Book Signing & Launch Party!
Jessica Pleuss 