Issue 07 · July 2026 · World Cup Wonder
Summer is in full swing and things are really heating up with Little Star. Tommy Hardman and I are finalizing illustrations and and working to nail down a release date for this Fall. Thanks to all of you who have newly subscribed and are along for this beautiful, crazy ride with me!
In this issue:
Book Recommendations: World Cup Edition
The Evolution of Little Star
Beyond the Pitch: Books from Around the World
Admittedly, I'm a fair-weather soccer fan. I tune in every four years with genuine enthusiasm, and I've always loved the tradition of waking up at odd hours to catch games being played in far-off corners of the world. With the World Cup coming to the US, there's been an added layer of excitement I didn't anticipate: the extraordinary joy of cultural exchange. New countries, new traditions, and new friends from every corner of the globe coming to cities all across our nation to cheer on their teams and indulge in everything that is uniquely, unapologetically American.
I've loved every video and interview of fans from Germany, Colombia, Sweden, and Spain devouring Waffle House and In-N-Out, frolicking in the waves of the Pacific, and gawking at our oversized grocery stores, sodas, and gas stations. I never knew free water was something to be so grateful for! Simultaneously I was giddy over the Viking Row, the Tartan Army making their way across Boston, and the fully armored Uzbek's riding horseback through the streets of Houston. The genuine appreciation these visitors have had for our culture and the enthusiasm they've brought in sharing their own has been a beautiful reminder that this world is actually quite small, and there is far more that connects us than divides us.
The games may be winding down, but the curiosity they sparked doesn't have to. In that spirit, this seemed like the perfect moment to share some of my favorite books (for kids and adults) from authors around the world.
FROM MEXICO:
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh
When Pancho Rabbit's father doesn't return from his journey north to find work, Pancho sets off to find him and falls in with a coyote who offers to guide him on the dangerous journey. Duncan Tonatiuh wraps a deeply important story in the language of a classic folktale, drawing on indigenous Mexican art traditions to create something that feels both ancient and urgently modern. It's a beautiful story of family, struggle, sacrifice and hope Another wonderful book with a message for children and adults alike.
Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
If you've seen the movie, you already know the culinary and literary power of this story, but the book is something else entirely. Set on a Mexican ranch at the turn of the century, Like Water for Chocolate follows Tita, the youngest daughter of a tyrannical mother who forbids her from marrying the love of her life. Tita's only outlet is the kitchen, and what unfolds is one of the most sensory, magical, and deeply romantic stories ever told, where emotions literally infuse the food she prepares, and every recipe she shares with readers along the way feels like a gift. Equal parts love story, family saga, and culinary adventure, this is the kind of book you'll want to read with snacks nearby.
FROM FRANCE:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince is the tale of a young prince who leaves his tiny planet and travels through space, encountering a series of grown-ups who've forgotten how to see the world with wonder. What sounds like a children's story is actually one of the most quietly profound books ever written about loneliness, love, friendship, and the things that matter most that we so easily lose sight of. It has sold hundreds of millions of copies, been translated into more languages than almost any other book, and somehow still feels like a little known treasure.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
A Parisian concierge hiding a rich inner life. A twelve-year-old who is far too wise for her own good. And a Japanese tenant who sees what no one else has bothered to look for. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is the kind of novel that makes you want to pay closer attention to the people around you, to the beauty in ordinary things, and to the quiet lives being lived all around you.
FROM JAPAN:
Crow Boy by Taro Yashima
This is one of those rare picture books that carries the full weight of a novel. It's about loneliness and belonging, about the children we overlook and what we miss when we don't look closer. Taro Yashima, a Japanese author and illustrator who immigrated to the United States, drew on his own experience of feeling like an outsider to create something truly universal.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Set in 1960s Tokyo against the backdrop of student protests and cultural upheaval, Norwegian Wood follows Toru, a young man navigating grief, love, and the disorienting passage from adolescence into adulthood. Haruki Murakami writes with a quiet intensity that feels unlike anything else. It is melancholic and beautiful, deeply Japanese in its emotional restraint, yet indulgent in the ways it captures loss and longing.
FROM COLOMBIA:
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Waiting for the Biblioburro is based on the true story of a real teacher, Luis Soriano, whose love of reading was so fierce he found a way to share it with children who had nothing. He transforms two donkeys into a mobile library and makes the journey into the mountains of rural Colombia to bring books to kids with no access. It reads like a fairytale and challenges every reader to stretch their imagination and consider what might be in their power to change.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
I've been reading One Hundred Years of Solitude this year, and I won't pretend it's a breezy afternoon read. But what García Márquez does in this book is worth every moment. He builds an entire world, an entire family history, an entire mythology out of the jungles of Colombia. It's genuinely extraordinary. Magical realism at its fullest and most alive, and one of the most celebrated novels ever written for good reason.
I don't mean to overwhelm you, but if you're interested in more global book recommendations, I'll be sharing more on my Instagram over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I hope these books help you take a mental retreat to these incredible countries. And soak up these last few World Cup matches if you can!
The Evolution of Little Star
I'm continuing to learn so much in the process of self-publishing this book. I recently hired a book designer to assist Tommy and me in laying out the book, selecting the best fonts, and advising on cover design. It's been so incredible watching how each person's unique talents are contributing to this story. Given that Little Star first arrives on the scene in early July, I thought it would be fun to share the evolution of her first appearance in the book. Each change is subtle, yet necessary.
Every day we're getting closer to finishing this book and I am so excited to share the finished product with you. Thank you for following along!
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