by Melissa Cristina Márquez (Author), Maria Gabriela Gama (Illustrator)
Melissa Cristina Márquez pens another story perfect for young readers and pet owners! Leo is on the search for the "perfect" pet and stumbles upon one in an unexpected place. But in this colorful and quirky picture book, he quickly learns that sometimes raising a pet requires a village.
Leo is thrilled when he and his family enter a shelter so he can adopt a new pet, but after searching for a while, Leo doesn't feel the connection he had hoped for and leaves feeling disappointed. On the way home, he and his family see a busy marketplace and find another shelter hidden inside: one for magical creatures! There Leo connects with an alebrije, their bond forming before they can even leave the shelter. But he quickly learns just how much responsibility comes with raising a pet. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, globally renowned shark scientist, and author of Mother of Sharks and Sea of Constellations, returns celebrating Mexican culture, fantastical creatures, and community in this picture book encouraging readers to seek support when needed. Maria Gabriela Gama's whimsical art brings the story to life and draws readers in as they learn alongside Leo the importance of asking for help, a lesson we can all use.Author Biography
Melissa Cristina Márquez is a fiercely proud Hispanic marine biologist, wildlife educator, professional speaker, and presenter. She has given two TEDx talks on sharks and female scientists, and her work has been highlighted in NPR, Allure, Disney+, BBC, National Geographic, Good Morning America, and more. In 2021, Melissa was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30: Science list and the InStyle 50 Badass Women list. Melissa holds a BA in marine ecology and conservation from New College of Florida and an MS in marine biology from Victoria University. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, Melissa aims to bring attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion with her writing.
Maria Gabriela Gama is an illustrator born and raised in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, a place that inspires her to create colorful worlds. With a bachelor's degree in graphic design, she started her professional career working with advertising, but soon discovered the magical world of illustration--and fell in love with it! Since then, Maria's been living her dream job and has illustrated picture books, puzzles, toys, and more. She is passionate about her work and wishes to bring joy, representation, and positive change through her cheerful characters and vibrant colors. Find her on Instagram @mabi.gabi.
Number of Pages: 48
Dimensions: 0.6 x 10.2 x 10.3 IN
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
