Tío and Tío: The Ring Bearers

From Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul's Drag Race) and his husband, Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of love and family as two young boys travel to Mexico to be ring bearers in their uncles' wedding.

From Emmy-winning TV host and producer Ross Mathews (The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul's Drag Race) and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews comes a heartwarming and humorous tale of family, friendship, and love inspired by their real-life wedding.

Evan and Andy are excited to visit Mexico for their uncles' wedding--and their parents are excited that the boys will have a chance to experience the culture, practice their Spanish, and learn responsibility as ring bearers in the ceremony. Once they arrive, Evan and Andy just want to play soccer, swim, and eat all the great food. However, once the festivities are in full swing and the boys witness the love and happiness between their two tíos, they quickly embrace their role in their uncles' very special day.

This debut picture book written by Ross Mathews and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, and illustrated by Tommy Doyle, reminds us about the importance of love, family, and embracing one's cultural identity.

Author: Ross Mathews,Wellinthon García-Mathews
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Published: 04/15/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 10.10h x 10.40w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780593752586
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 554968 / Tio and Tio: The Ring Bearers


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2025
Publishers Weekly 04/14/2025

About the Author
Ross Mathews is an Emmy-winning television host and producer, as well as the best-selling author of Man Up!: Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence and Name Drop. He can be seen every weekday as cohost and producer on the daily syndicated talk show The Drew Barrymore Show, and as a judge and producer on RuPaul's Drag Race. Mathews has hosted the GLAAD Media Awards a record seven times and in 2018 he was honored with the organization's Davidson/Valentini Award for his work in promoting equality for the LGBTQ+ community, in addition to the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award in 2011. He currently lives in New York with his husband, Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, and their rescue chihuahua, Audrey.

Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews was born in the Dominican Republic and emigrated with his family to the United States at five years old, not speaking any English. He was raised in Brooklyn, and went on, along with his older sister, to be the first in his family to attend college. He holds a doctorate of education in educational policy and leadership from Hofstra University. He has served in the field of education for over a decade in the capacity of a primary teacher, assistant principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Associate Director of ENL and Equity in New York. Additionally, he has worked as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University, where he lectures on gender expression and Title IX policy impacting LGBTQ+ youth.

Tommy Doyle is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Melbourne, Australia.