An award-winning children’s author has taken a significant step to connect families with her bilingual, social-emotional learning story — and with the independent bookstores that carry it. Debora Menieur Nunez, whose book Chiquis The Dreamer Clown recently earned top honors at the 2026 International Latino Book Awards, has officially launched chiquisclown.com. The site serves as both a home for the book and a practical resource for readers seeking out local, independent retailers.
The English edition of the book, also available in Spanish as Chiquis La Payasa Soñadora, won the Gold Medal for Best Children’s Picture Book Translation (Spanish to English) at the 2026 International Latino Book Awards. The Spanish original received an Honorable Mention for the Alma Flor Ada Best Latino-Focused Children’s Picture Book Award, marking a double recognition for the author and her team.
Targeted at children ages 4 to 7, or Preschool through 2nd Grade, the story introduces Chiquis, a clown from the Caribbean who navigates everyday challenges while holding onto her dreams. The book is illustrated by Mexican artist Jose A. Bernal Navarrete. Menieur Nunez drew inspiration from her own Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, as well as her sister Hilca’s professional training as a clown and background in early childhood education. The book is designed for story time at home, classroom use, library programming, and social-emotional learning curricula.
“I wrote this story with Latino children like my niece and nephew in mind,” said Menieur Nunez. “I want children to have tools to process their emotions, move through difficult days, and know they can accomplish great things no matter the obstacles.”
The newly launched website goes beyond simply promoting the book. It features an interactive directory that connects readers to more than 400 verified independent bookstores across all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 14 countries. Families and educators can explore the social-emotional learning themes woven into the story, and hardcover copies are also available through Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Debora M. Menieur Nunez is a Puerto Rican and Dominican author, speaker, and public servant. Her professional background spans university settings, national advocacy organizations, and both local and federal government, where she has focused on how education systems can more effectively serve children and families. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo, as the first Truman Scholar from her campus, and holds a Master of Education Policy and Analysis from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. At Harvard, she contributed to research on AI in education at the Child-Centered AI Lab. Drawing from her Caribbean roots, she creates stories that help children explore their emotions, celebrate their identities, and dream with confidence.
Debora M. Menieur Nunez
@chiquisclown
info@chiquisclown.com
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
Other
Why it matters: By pairing an award-winning bilingual book with a practical directory of independent bookstores, Menieur Nunez is making social-emotional learning tools more accessible to families while also supporting local small businesses. This approach could serve as a model for other children’s authors seeking to bridge the gap between educational content and community-based retail.
