Two angels, Milagros (Miracles) and Alegria (Joy), wield their protective power surreptitiously and sometimes with a hint of humor, listening constantly for God's direction as they watch over a little girl named Adriana. Adriana and her family are forced to flee their home in Colombia and start a new life in Chicago. Throughout difficult times, big transitions, and the ordinary moments of childhood, Adriana's angels whisper messages of God's love and presence. Adriana's Angels encourages faith, wonder, and compassion. Many children who read or hear this story will grow in empathy toward refugee and other immigrant peers. Their sense of God's attentive care will deepen, particularly as they witness the angels" ministry to Adriana while she sleeps. Children who have experienced trauma often relive it unconsciously at night-which is why the Spirit's mysterious healing work in sleep is so important. Adriana's Angels is available in both English and in Spanish as Los angeles de Adriana. The Spanish version is a 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards winner--a contest intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children's books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading.
Ruth Goring is a poet, visual artist, and book editor who grew up in Colombia. Her first picture book was Adriana's Angels (Sparkhouse Family), published in Spanish as Los ngeles de Adriana, which won a silver Moonbeam Award. Other publications include two books of poetry, Soap Is Political (Glass Lyre) and Yellow Doors (WordFarm), and several Bible study guides, including Heart Renewal (WaterBrook) and Singleness (InterVarsity Press). Ruth is a senior manuscript editor at University of Chicago Press and teaches in the Graham School's editing certificate program.
"What a beautiful book! In these few glorious pages, children--and adults--get an amazing picture of our God's protection and provision as well as a story that's sure to prompt important conversations about facing fears, welcoming strangers, loving others, and being held by our good God." -- Caryn Rivadeneira "author of Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible" "With winsome narrative and evocative images, Adriana's Angels shows God's tender care for children among the millions of refugees in today's world. Accessible even to the very young, this real-life story will be instructive and heartwarming for all ages." -- J. Nelson Kraybill "President, Mennonite World Conference" "A gentle story that any child in a new or strange place will find comforting." -- Dave & Neta Jackson "authors of Trailblazer Books, The Yada Yada Prayer Group, and Windy City Neighbors series" "Adriana's Angels gives immigrant children words to express their experiences, and other children compassion for what their peers are going through. This book captures the excitement and dissonance of a bicultural experience while incorporating the deep faith of a community." -- Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal "author of The Next Worship, Executive Pastor of Grace and Peace Community in Chicago, and daughter of a Colombian" "This book offers comfort and confidence for children and adults alike, reminding them that God is always present in life's difficult journeys." -- Curtiss Paul DeYoung "Executive Director, Community Renewal Society, Chicago" "Meza's vivid cartoon illustrations, particularly the statuesque angels and their resplendent wings, provide welcome brightness in a story that doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties of adjusting to a new country and culture." -- Publishers Weekly "Publishers Weekly"
