A moving portrait of the absence lost loved ones leave in our lives—and the food traditions that keep their memories from fading.
Lila and her Abuelo Carlos miss Abuela Ana. Without the sound of her laughter, the rhythm of her dancing, or the aromas of her cooking, home just isn’t the same. So Lila devises a plan to hold onto every detail she can remember. She and Abuelo will make Abuela’s signature dish—sancocho!
Off to the market they go, guided by a faded recipe that takes them through the stalls, where each ingredient sparks a warm memory. As Lila and her abuelo learn to lean on each other, Abuela’s words help them recreate a dish that tastes like love.
Praise for When We Find Her
"A beautiful story that feeds the heart and soul completely. Lila, Abuelo, and Abuela are unforgettable—the smells and tastes of this special recipe and André's stunning illustrations bring them all to life." - Jenny Torres Sanchez,author of With Lots of Love
"Poetic and poignant, When We Find Her is a beautiful reminder that those we love are always with us, and that food helps us keep our connection to our family." - Yamile Saied Méndez, award winning author of Where Are You From? and Pockets of Love
M. García Peña (she/her) was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She got her MFA at The New School and is the author of several young adult novels and picture books. She is a founding member of the artist collective Las Musas Books and splits her time between Puerto Rico and New York. You can find her at MGarciaBooks.com.
André Ceolin is a self-taught illustrator from Brazil who has refined his craft through studies at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Melies, and Escola Panamericana de Artes. He has illustrated numerous books for a variety of publishers, creating his work entirely by hand, blending traditional and digital techniques without the use of AI. When he’s not illustrating, André enjoys crafting small toys and exploring scenic roads. He lives in Brazil with his family. You can visit him at AndreCeolin.com.
A moving portrait of the absence lost loved ones leave in our lives—and the food traditions that keep their memories from fading.
Lila and her Abuelo Carlos miss Abuela Ana. Without the sound of her laughter, the rhythm of her dancing, or the aromas of her cooking, home just isn’t the same. So Lila devises a plan to hold onto every detail she can remember. She and Abuelo will make Abuela’s signature dish—sancocho!
Off to the market they go, guided by a faded recipe that takes them through the stalls, where each ingredient sparks a warm memory. As Lila and her abuelo learn to lean on each other, Abuela’s words help them recreate a dish that tastes like love.
Praise
Praise for When We Find Her
"A beautiful story that feeds the heart and soul completely. Lila, Abuelo, and Abuela are unforgettable—the smells and tastes of this special recipe and André's stunning illustrations bring them all to life." - Jenny Torres Sanchez,author of With Lots of Love
"Poetic and poignant, When We Find Her is a beautiful reminder that those we love are always with us, and that food helps us keep our connection to our family." - Yamile Saied Méndez, award winning author of Where Are You From? and Pockets of Love
Author
M. García Peña (she/her) was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She got her MFA at The New School and is the author of several young adult novels and picture books. She is a founding member of the artist collective Las Musas Books and splits her time between Puerto Rico and New York. You can find her at MGarciaBooks.com.
André Ceolin is a self-taught illustrator from Brazil who has refined his craft through studies at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Melies, and Escola Panamericana de Artes. He has illustrated numerous books for a variety of publishers, creating his work entirely by hand, blending traditional and digital techniques without the use of AI. When he’s not illustrating, André enjoys crafting small toys and exploring scenic roads. He lives in Brazil with his family. You can visit him at AndreCeolin.com.
