Being Bruja: A Young Mystic’s Guide

Gr 1-4–In this vibrant and affirming picture book, Rivera offers young readers a warm and empowering introduction to what it means to be a bruja—not as a figure of fear but as a source of love, strength, and connection. Told through kind and inviting narration, the story reclaims a term once wielded as an insult and recasts it in light, love, and cultural pride.The text is grounded in accessible language that welcomes all readers, including those unfamiliar with bruja traditions, while gently acknowledging the impact of colonization with honesty and care. Rivera’s message is celebratory, inclusive, and infused with joy, guiding children to embrace their heritage, intuition, and inner magic. The illustrations are a standout—bright, dynamic, and inclusive, reflecting a range of skin tones, body types, and cultural symbols that young readers will recognize and feel seen by. The characters glow with warmth and personality, enhancing the text’s message of empowerment and belonging.