Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julián and Joaquin Castro

An informative, inspirational picture book biography about twins Julián and Joaquin Castro, who rose from poverty to become leaders for positive change in America.

The story of political powerhouse twins Julián and Joaquin Castro began in the small room that they shared with their grandmother Victoriana in San Antonio, Texas. Victoriana crossed the border from Mexico into Texas as a six-year-old orphan, marking the start of the family's American journey. Her daughter Rosie, Julián and Joaquin's mom, was an activist who helped the barrio through local government.

The strong women in their family inspired the twins to get involved in politics. Julián and Joaquin have been working at the local, state, and national level--as a former presidential candidate, mayor, and member of President Obama's Cabinet, and a U.S. Congressman, respectively--to make the country a better place for everyone.

Acclaimed author Monica Brown and illustrator Mirelle Ortega depict the Castros' political and personal accomplishments in this must-read picture book biography.

Also available in a Spanish edition: Pequeña habitación, grandes sueños.

* A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year *

Monica Brown is the author of Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol and Side by Side/Lado a lado as well as the Pura Belpre Honor winners My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia and My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters.

Monica Brown es la autora de Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol y Side by Side/Lado a lado, y de los libros ganadores del Honor Pura Belpré My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia y My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica vive en Flagstaff, Arizona, con su marido y sus dos hijas.

Rafael Lopez is the award-winning illustrator of My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia and Book Fiesta! Rafael divides his time between his studios in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and a loft in downtown San Diego, where he works and lives with his wife and son.

Rafael Lopez es el ilustrador premiado de My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia y Book Fiesta! Rafael divide su tiempo entre sus talleres en San Miguel de Allende, Mexico y San Diego, California.

Mirelle Ortega is an illustrator and concept artist currently living in California. She's originally from the southeast of Mexico, and has a passion for storytelling, sci-fi, film, TV, color, and culture. Mirelle has a BFA from the Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey, Mexico) in digital art and 3D animation and an MFA from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She is fluent in Spanish and English. Visit her online at mirelleortega.com.