Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist - by Violet Lemay (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Alithia Ramirez dreamed of studying art in Paris. She drew the world as it should be--full of color and joy, creativity and fun. From her teachers to her family and friends, Alitha shared her gifts with an open heart. Being an artist is never easy, but she drew every day to practice her skills and help everyone feel the love that art can bring. Written to honor Alithia and all the lives affected by the Uvalde school tragedy, [this book] will help preserve the memory of this talented young girl through her story and her artwork"--

Book Synopsis

2024 Reading the West Book Awards Winner, Picture Books
A 2024 CBC Children's Favorites Winner
A 2024 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner
A 2024 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner
Eric Hoffer Book Awards, 2024 Grand Prize Winner
Nautilus Book Awards, 2024 Gold Winner
The Book Fest, 2024 Gold Winner for Children's Historical
The Book Fest, 2024 Silver Winner for Best Picture Book
2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Silver Winner
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2024 Finalist

Alithia Ramirez dreamed of studying art in Paris
She drew the world as it should be--full of color and joy, creativity and fun. From her teachers to her family and friends, Alithia shared her gifts with an open heart. Being an artist is never easy, but she drew every day to practice her skills and help everyone feel the love that art can bring.

Written to honor Alithia and all the lives affected by the Uvalde school tragedy, Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist will help preserve the memory of this talented young girl through her story and her artwork.

Review Quotes

"A young artist and her art live on in this tender, heartfelt book. We must remember." --Kirkus Reviews

"A powerful story of how one person makes an impact, even when interrupted by violence; this title is recommended for all." --School Library Journal

"Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist reminds us why art is so powerful--and healing." --Parents Magazine

"Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist captures the kind-hearted, vivacious spirit of our daughter, Alithia. Lemay compassionately celebrates the special way in which children like Alithia view our world as something full of love and color. With her own artwork featured throughout the book, Alithia's talent will continue inspiring others to embrace the joy and healing that creation can bring." --Alithia's Parents, Jess Hernandez and Ryan Ramirez

"It is with great pride and pleasure that I add my voice today to the launching of a book that embodies the light through the cracks in social injustice. Alithia Ramirez will paint the possibility of life without guns in schools in the heart of all readers. Uvalde will never be forgotten." --F. Isabel Campoy, Member of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language, Award-Winning Author of Maybe Something Beautiful

"In the book Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist, we see how much Alithia loved making art. She was always surrounded by art supplies and drawing things she saw and also things she imagined--colorful renderings of the world. Of course, like all artists, Alithia was not a stranger to frustration; sometimes her art looked different from what she saw! But even then, she would not stop creating. When Alithia Ramirez's life was tragically taken, it is her unstoppable art that finds its way into our hearts. In this book, we can hear Alithia's voice of love calling for us to be just as determined as she is at creating the work of art that we can all create together: a world full of color, joy, and peace, where children can be safe to dream the life they deserve. Viva Alithia!" --Yuyi Morales, Pura Belpre Medalist and Caldecott Honoree

"A tender and moving way for Alithia Ramirez to live on in our hearts and inspire young artists to create the world they want to see." --Juliet Menéndez, Author of Latinas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers