10 Facts About Yuyi Morales

Yuyi Morales was born on in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico on November 7,1968 and is a Mexican-American children's book author and illustrator.

Yuyi Morales is known for her books Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book, Little Night, and Viva Frida, which received the 2015 Pura Belpre Medal for illustration as well as a 2015 Caldecott Honor.

Yuyi Morales was born in the city of Xalapa in the Mexican State of Veracruz in 1968.

Yuyi Morales was sad because she missed her native country and her family, Morales expresses that she felt like she did not fit in that country.

Yuyi Morales learned English by reading to her son Kelly who did not know or care if she mispronounced some words, and she could always use the illustrations to show something she did not know.

Yuyi Morales felt so inspired by those vivid colors and illustrations from the books that she had been reading to her son, she wondered whether she could make picture books like those.

Yuyi Morales bought a set of paints and brushes and enrolled in an extension class at UC Berkeley on writing for children where she met a group of other aspiring authors and illustrators.

Yuyi Morales kept illustrating original works like Nino Wrestles the World and Little Night Nochecita.

Yuyi Morales has illustrated books for different authors like Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What Yuyi Morales Pleased, Ladder to the Moon, Los Gatos Black en Halloween, My Abuelita, Sand Sister and Floating on Mama's song.

Yuyi Morales has since been recognized as one of the most celebrated Latina children's book authors using her family's legacy and heritage as inspiration.