About the Book

2024 INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARD FINALIST FOR MOST INSPIRATIONAL CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK

"Bold hope is the theme of this picture book." —Foreword Reviews

In her journey North, a child is shepherded by the moon as she aims to reunite with her father across the border. With vivid and picturesque words by Phillip D. Cortez and imaginative illustrations by Mafs Rodríguez Alpide, I'll Be the Moon shows how la luna brings light to the darkness and guides us to those we love.

PRAISE FOR I’LL BE THE MOON
"Cortez's simple but rich telling of a child's view of crossing the desert brilliantly engages all of the senses as you follow the desert path with the moon as a familiar guide." —Rebecca Calderon, Ysleta ISD (TX) Library & Innovative Learning Department

"This is a great children’s book to teach imagery and figurative language with!" —Meg Libertucci, Little Free Library steward (NY)

Awards and Press

Calvin Crosby

co-owner of The King's English and Brain Food Books

Phillip D. Cortez has given voice to a story most of us cannot even fathom. His gracious words convey the depth and strength of the human spirit.

Meet the Author

Phillip D. Cortez became fascinated with books and stories early in his life. It wasn’t long before he wanted to write his own stories. He’s the writer of two other children’s books: Night Rhythms (2011) and When I Close My Eyes (2013). Cortez still loves to read and, with his wife, Patty, is now fascinated by the many stories told by their four children: Ivan, Cameron, Ava, and Zoe. He lives in El Paso, Texas, with his family.

Meet the Illustrator

Mafs Rodríguez Alpide is a designer who lives in Mexico City. She was interested in the cultural and artistic world from a very young age. With a very active imagination and a lot of hard work, she went from doodling in her free time to a degree in Illustration at the School of Arts and Design at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Currently, she is working on creating new characters and imagining new worlds daily to reach her dreams.