Yuyi Morales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yuyi Morales
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Morales at the 2022 Texas Book Festival
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| Born | November 7, 1968 Xalapa, Veracruz |
| Occupation | Author, Illustrator |
| Nationality | American, Mexican |
| Period | c. 1997–present |
| Genre | Children's fantasy, |
Yuyi Morales (born November 7, 1968, in Xalapa, Mexico) is a talented author and illustrator of children's books. She is known for creating popular stories like Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book, Little Night, and Viva Frida. Her book Viva Frida won the 2015 Pura Belpré Medal for its amazing illustrations and also received a 2015 Caldecott Honor. Yuyi Morales made history as the first Latina artist to receive a Caldecott award.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Yuyi Morales was born in 1968 in Xalapa, a city in the Mexican state of Veracruz. She was the oldest of four children. As a kid, she loved to draw and often made up stories to go with her pictures.
Her mother was a homemaker who made all their clothes and household items. Even though her mother was very creative, Yuyi didn't think about becoming an artist when she was young. She was a top competitive swimmer in high school. Because of this, she studied physical education at the Universidad de Xalapa, planning to become a gym teacher. After graduating, she worked as a swim coach.
Moving to the United States
While working as a swim coach in Mexico, Yuyi met her husband, Tim, who was from the United States. They had a son named Kelly. In 1994, their family moved to the United States.
Yuyi remembers her first years in San Francisco as difficult. She didn't have a job or friends, and she spoke very little English. She felt sad and missed her home country and family. She felt like she didn't quite fit in.
Discovering Children's Books
One day, Yuyi's mother-in-law took her son, Kelly, to a public library in San Francisco. Yuyi was amazed by the children's book section. She was inspired by the colorful pictures and stories.
Yuyi learned English by reading to Kelly. He didn't mind if she mispronounced words, and she could always use the pictures to understand what she didn't know. The bright colors and illustrations in the books made her wonder if she could create picture books herself.
Becoming a Children's Author
Inspired by the library books, Yuyi bought paints and brushes. She took a class at UC Berkeley about writing for children. There, she met other people who wanted to become authors and illustrators.
First Published Works
Yuyi Morales's first English picture book project was illustrating Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez in 2003. This book was written by Kathleen Krull. Critics praised her "beautifully rendered earth-tone illustrations" and "gorgeous paintings."
In the same year, 2003, Morales also published her first book that she both wrote and illustrated, called Just a Minute.
Later Books and Inspiration
Yuyi continued to create her own original books, including Niño Wrestles the World and Little Night Nochecita. She also illustrated books for other authors, such as Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What She Pleased and Ladder to the Moon.
Yuyi Morales is now celebrated as one of the most important Latina children's book authors. She often uses her family's history and Mexican heritage as inspiration for her stories.
Awards and Recognition
Yuyi Morales has received many awards for her wonderful books. Some of her most notable honors include:
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2004) for Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
- Golden Kite Honor Book (2004) for Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
- Christopher Award (2004) for Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
- Pura Belpré Honor for illustration (2004) for Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2008) for Los Gatos Black on Halloween
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2009) for Just In Case
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2014) for Niño Wrestles the World
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2015) for Viva Frida
- Caldecott Honor for Illustrator (2015) for Viva Frida
- Pura Belpré Medal for Illustrator (2019) for Dreamers / Soñadores
