About the Author

Virginia Padilla-Vigil was born and raised in northern New Mexico and is a lifelong educator. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education, her master's degree in counseling from the College of Santa Fe, and her Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico. She has a deep passion for teaching. She served as an elementary teacher for 6 years in the Pojoaque Valley Schools and has taught for over 25 years in colleges and universities across New Mexico and Colorado, in counseling, leadership, and teacher education. Her childhood dream was to write and publish a children's book. Mariposa, Where Did You Get Your Colors? is a story that captures the essence of possibility and the role that significant adults can play in children's lives through helping them discover their gifts and talents (their colors) and encouraging them to share them with the world. It is also a story of diversity and the many colors we bring to our world, creating a rich tapestry of strength, unity, and collective wisdom. Nanibah Chacon is a noted muralist, artist, and art educator.

Reviews

Mariposa, Where Did You Get Your Colors? is a beautiful story with the lilt and feel of a traditional fairy tale or myth....an exquisite volume as well as an enjoyable story, perfect for bedtime reading and rainy-day coloring inspiration.- The Children's Book Review
A lovely story evolves in Mariposa, Where Did You Get Your Colors?, which clearly and simply outlines butterfly Mariposa's challenge and her solution to the problem of feeling different and at odds with her black-and-white world. It imparts deeper messages about overcoming alienation, cultivating giving, and handling the good and bad aspects of being generous.Illustrator Nanibah Chacon, a noted muralist, does a superb job of capturing the nuances of a colorful butterfly that flits through her world in the picture book. Her simple, lovely drawings are perfect for a story that focuses on a little butterfly who stands out from the black and white world she flies through. This alienates her from others, and she doesn't feel a part of the world.When an astute trout asks about the origins of her colors, her wise grandmother states that they are a gift. How, then, can Mariposa use this gift wisely?Parental read-aloud assistance is recommended for the discussions which should follow this evocative story. Any who work with children will find this an absorbing, revealing, and thought-provoking story that holds a bigger message within a simple tale.- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review