BOOKS
Inspired by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's "Ode to the Onion," this story is less biography and more a simple ode to a vegetable that is at once humble and noble, dark and light, full of grief and full of joy—just like life.
WINNER of the 2018 NCBR Young Children's Literature Award, Junior Library Guild Selection, and Shortlisted for the 2018 NCIBA Golden Poppy Award
Featured in the New York Times Children's Books Special, Nov 9, 2018
"This one is a treat for the eyes and ears."
-Maria Russo, New York Times
"Beautiful on all counts."
-Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal
"A reminder of the importance of a sustained connection to gratitude."
-Julie Danielson, 7 Impossible Things Before Breakfast
ME + TREE reimagines what happens to the Giving Tree many years on, when a girl new to the city befriends an old tree at the playground. In sharing their stories and revealing their joys and sorrows, they see into each other’s lives, discovering, as all true friends do, that being seen and understood is one of the purest expressions of love.
FINALIST for a 2021 GOLDEN KITE Award and CYBILS Award finalist Nature picture books
"This is one of those rare picture books... Lovely."
"Alexandria Giardino's story celebrates the importance of friendship and of recognizing the overlooked."
Inspired by the medley of the classic songs “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” sung by Hawaiian singer Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo‘ole, the good song is aloha—love. Listen to IZ sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World"
FINALIST for the 2020 NCBR Young Children's Literature Award
Support Native Hawaiian storytellers! Please check out these excellent podcasts:
nativestories.org; hawaiipeoplesfund.org; nativeseedpod.org
I donate a portion of proceeds to a Hawaiian medical clinic that IZ long supported. For information, please visit the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center website.
El partido es LARGO. Es ABURRIDO. Pero hoy, los dos tienen boletos para el GRAN PARTIDO. El equipo de “los Buenos” juega contra el equipo de “los Otros Chicos”. Desde el primer lanzamiento en la altura de la primera entrada hasta el final, emocionante y angustioso jonrón en la parte baja de la novena entrada Mikey aprende porque el béisbol es EL JUEGO MÁS GRANDE DEL MUNDO.
Un libro para niños de 4 a 8 años, publicado por Cameron Kids, otoño 2017
STORYTIME FRIENDS
In 2021, I co-founded STORYTIME FRIENDS, a nonprofit organization that brings the joy and power of storytelling to children in hospitals through weekly video-recorded read-alouds, in-person author/illustrator visits, and picture book give-aways. We believe in having fun and creating a sense of friendship and community through books. We support upholding the emotional safety of patients by helping to reduce stress and lift spirits. For more information about this project, visit our website.
Storytime Friends co-creator Angela Dalton and I were interviewed about our collaboration. The podcast, called Sharing Joy in Less-Traveled Places, is part of Cardinal Rule Press' series.You can listen to it here, starting Nov 15.
EVENTS & MEDIA
I regularly visit bookstores and schools. Reach out about scheduling.
About Alex
Alexandria Giardino lives in Northern California. When she is not writing and teaching, Alex is most likely hiking with her son and their beloved Boston terrier or DJing for dance parties. She also has a black belt in karate.
Alex previously lived in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Santiago, Chile, where she wrote, translated, and sold art. Her translation of Pablo Neruda's wife's memoir, My Life with Pablo Neruda is available here. Her essays have appeared in English and Spanish in numerous publications and on air at KQED.
Alex is a frequent panelist and presenter on topics related to writing for children. She also loves connecting with kids and their communities.
To schedule a virtual or in-person event with Alex, please contact her HERE.
