Audrey Gil

Lemondrop Audrey Gil

Inspired by my childhood bedtime stories made up by my Grandmother, "Wawa" and my Mother about the "ranita" (little frog), I wrote and illustrated this book using water colors when I was in high school. To this day, it remains near and dear to my heart. This is a children's story about finding love and acceptance for yourself no matter what you look like. As a Puerto Rican and Cuban girl, growing up I was shamed for being "brown" and teased for being "skinny." It was my hope that one day I could read this to my daughter and she would learn to overcome people's ignorance and love herself just the way that she is. As self-acceptance and acceptance of others is at a high in America and across the world, this message is still relevant to our youth today and for many days to come.