LeoNora M. Cohen

Finding Grace

Finding Grace is a story of a clumsy young girl who is not very nice to other kids because she is scared. Her parents give her ballet lessons hoping she will gain confidence. She begins to feel more in control of her body and her emotions.

Her mother remarks how graceful she has become and asks about whether she has grace in her heart and spirit. Their discussions between the dance classes highlights concepts of grace beyond the body, such as treating each other kindly, being forgiving, thinking about others, being loving, and making things right.

The charming illustrations by Fernanda Miguel Godinez Zuñiga, a very talented student at Escuela Especial de Educación de San Miguel de Allende (EEESMA) in Mexico, (school for the deaf) bring the story to life. This is Fernanda’s second illustrated book, the first being Harriet’s Chariot/La Carroza de Rosa, a story about a child in a wheelchair. She has also illustrated a third book, Campo Champions/ Campiones del Campo, which should be completed soon.

It is bilingual, English and Spanish, challenging kids to learn a second language.

The story appeals to children who may feel like they are not graceful or beautiful and extends the concept of grace to beyond the physical. The book is geared for children ages 6-10, but adults may also enjoy the story!

All royalties from sale of this book benefit the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende. This fellowship gives more than half of its income to non-profit organizations in town.

About the Artist:  Fernanda Miguel Godínez Zúñlga

Fernanda, a talented young artist, is a student at the Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende (EEESMA), a school for the deaf. She is the oldest of three children, the only one in her family born unable to hear, so communicating has been a challenge. Fernanda completed middle school and is finishing high school.

She attends both the public school system near her home in Dolores Hidalgo and EEESMA, improving her use of Mexican Sign Language and Spanish as a second language. At the school, she attends the sewing workshop, demonstrating great potential that combines with her artistic abilities. She would love a career in fashion design. This is the second book she illustrated for Nora. She did Harriet's Chariot last year.