Banda superstar Chiquis wasn’t always a confident performer. Like a lot of children who have big dreams but feel anxious around people, she relied on the love and support of her family to build the strength to take her first steps toward stardom.
Janney and her mom always sang together to help the flowers in Abuelita’s garden grow. But now her mom is gone, and Janney’s song is stuck, somewhere deep inside. Bullies at school don’t help.
Every day, Janney watches one particular bee in Abuelita’s garden. Working harder than the others—focused and unafraid—the tiny bee doesn’t give up. Janney begins to feel inspired by the hardworking bee as the seasons change, until one afternoon, a melody escapes her lips, and Janney’s song once again fills the air in the garden.
And when the music begins, her mom’s songs sing through her heart, giving Janney the strength to overcome her fears and sing loudly and proudly to the bees . . . and beyond.
Author Information
Janney Marín—better known as Chiquis—is a two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, recording artist, businesswoman, and television celebrity. She first captivated her audience on reality shows with her late mom, Jenni Rivera, and their family. Chiquis launched her music career in 2014, making her musical debut at the Premios Juventud. She is the New York Times–bestselling author of Forgiveness and Unstoppable. Born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Compton, Chiquis now lives in Los Angeles.
Lissette Norman is an Afro-Dominican poet. She is the author of My Feet Are Laughing, Plátanos Go with Everything, and Abuela’s Library; she is also the coauthor of Until Someone Listens with Estela Juarez and On the Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette with Jennifer Jones. Lissette received her BA in English at SUNY Binghamton and lives in New York City.
Geraldine Rodriguez is a Mexican illustrator and digital artist. She has created artwork for the Mihi Ever After series by Tae Keller, the Fearless series by Mandy Gonzalez, and other children’s books. Geraldine lives in Nuevo León, México.
