Each year, Lehigh Valley Academy proudly welcomes an author or illustrator to connect with our students and inspire a love of reading. Our Elementary Author Visits and book signings—typically held once or twice a year—give our youngest Jaguars a chance to meet the creators behind their favorite stories. Our middle school students also enjoy author meet and greets, continuing this tradition of fostering creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for literature.
Last week, we were honored to host Juana Martinez-Neal, a Caldecott Honor recipient and New York Times–bestselling illustrator. K–5 families enjoyed an engaging presentation, hands-on illustration activity, and special book signing experience. The first 100 families to register even received a complimentary copy of her beautiful picture book, Zonia’s Rain Forest.
About the Author:
Juana Martinez-Neal is the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name—her debut picture book as author-illustrator. She also received the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for La Princesa and the Pea. Her many accolades include being named to the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List in 2014 and earning the SCBWI Portfolio Showcase Grand Prize in 2012.
Born in Lima, Peru, Juana now lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children. Her multicultural background shines through her work, where she blends warmth, storytelling, and heritage into every page.
In Her Own Words:
“My work is all about playing.
Playing with materials, playing with ideas.
And in the midst of playing, I found a life making books.
It is my hope to pass that curiosity and playfulness to everyone I meet.”
Moments like these are especially meaningful for our elementary students—when imaginations bloom and a love for books begins to take root. Encouraging children to explore new genres and connect with authors helps nurture creativity and empathy, aligning perfectly with LVA’s mission as an IB World School.
Lehigh Valley Academy RCS 