Karla Arenas Valenti

Karla Arenas Valenti grew up in Mexico City in a house built around a tree. Her childhood was filled with fantastical elements, which she incorporates into her books—taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism, fantasy, and big philosophical questions. Karla is the recipient of the Pura Belpré Award, and her middle grade novels Lola and Lotería have received a combined seven starred reviews. She currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books.