South Texas educational book publisher, Del Alma Publications, LLC, recently announced that their latest bilingual children’s book An Angel from Above ~ Un ángel desde arriba, by local author Dr. María Alma González Pérez and local illustrator Pat González has received a coveted Purple Dragonfly book award for excellence in children’s literature. “Winning any place in the Purple Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a First or Second place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explains Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.” This book is based on a true story recounting the miracle of birth after tragedy and loss of a young life through angels as metaphors. Though it introduces the topic of death, it also implies that to every ending, there is always a new beginning - possibly through the presence of angels in our lives. The book received an Honorable Mention commendation in the Spiritual / Religious category. “We’re very happy about receiving this award because it recognizes excellence in children’s literature written in English. However, our book is written bilingually, because I believe language should not be a problem. Instead, it should be a choice for children to read in whatever language they are most proficient in,” states Dr. Pérez. This book is a special project whose proceeds from the sale go exclusively toward the college fund of childhood cancer survivor Jamie Ann Paredes, a Zapata High School graduate, currently studying nursing at Laredo Community College. Paredes said that she is studying nursing to help children in hospitals as nurses have helped her with the health challenges she has faced throughout her life. Local artist Ms. Patricia González has dedicated most of her drawings and paintings to her community along the Texas-Mexico border. She feels An Angel from Above / Un ángel desde arriba fell into her hands as a calling from above and graciously donated her artwork toward this worthy cause. She believes that we are all born with a custodial angel that guides us throughout our lives.
