Esme's Birthday Conga Line

Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4

Esme always has a plan. A funny and sweet early illustrated chapter book about a problem-solving girl who has to manage her own birthday bash. For fans of Dory Fantasmagory.

Esme lives with her grandparents on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building. It’s her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gave her a beautiful guitar. But they didn’t plan a birthday party.

Esme thinks this is the way with grandparents. They don’t know about parties or piñatas or birthday cake. No problem! Esme is great at problem solving.

With the help of her cat, El Toro, and a LOT of help from her neighbors in the topmost best building, the irrepressible Esme gets the birthday party of her dreams.

Series Overview: A plucky heroine with a cat sidekick takes care of business in the topmost best building in her neighborhood.

Book 1: Esme’s Birthday Conga Line (Spring 2022)

Book 2: TBD (Spring 2023)

About the Author

LOURDES HEUER is a children’s book author and poet. She was born in Spain to Cuban immigrant parents, then moved to the United States in 1984. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is an Associate Professor of English at Broward College. She lives in South Florida with her husband, son and three dogs.

Author Residence: Florida

Author Hometown: Spain

Originally from South Texas, MARISSA VALDEZ traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, to receive a B.F.A. in Animation from MassArt. After school, and after missing the delicious Texas breakfast tacos, she moved back Houston where she works as a graphic designer during the day and children's book illustrator at night.

Illustrator Residence: Houston, Texas

Illustrator Hometown: South Texas