Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Cynthia Harmony (A Flicker of Hope)!
Meet the Author: Cynthia Harmony
Cynthia Harmony is an educational psychologist who has created exhibits and bilingual learning materials for children and science museums. Originally from Mexico City, Cynthia is a children’s author and translator.
You can follow her at CynthiaHarmony.com.
Meet the Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Devon Holzwarth grew up in Panama with the jungle as her garden and parrots and iguanas as pets. Devon earned her BFA in 2000 from the Rhode Island School of Design, focusing on screen printing and painting. Childhood memories and her collection of vintage children’s books strongly inspire her work. She currently lives in Aachen, Germany, with her husband, two kids, and beloved old hound dog.
About the Book: A Flicker of Hope
A heartwarming tale of a girl waiting for her beloved Papá to return when the monarchs fly south to their home in Mexico.
Lucía loves to watch the monarchs’ migration from her home in Mexico with Papá. But this year, the monarchs’ journey north holds extra weight; Papá is heading north, too, to look for work. He promises her that when “the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home.” So while he spends the summer months harvesting produce on faraway farms, Lucía watches the skies for signs of the monarchs’—and her papá’s—return.
Told through the parallel stories of the butterflies’ journey and Lucía’s migrant farmer father, Cynthia Harmony’s A Flicker of Hope is a love letter to the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders.
~Author Chat~
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The story was first. The title actually changed, it was first called “A Song for Papá.” During revisions with my “We Need Diverse Books” mentor Rob Sanders, he asked if another title could better describe the theme to both stories. So the story got a new title before going out on submission.
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
In 2018 we were living an immigration crisis due to the “Zero Tolerance” policy enforced by the US president. Thousands of children were taken from their parents and placed in separate detention centers along the border including a facility in Tucson, Arizona where I live. I drove there one morning hoping to volunteer as a bilingual psychologist, but they didn’t allow access or accepted donations. I came home that day heartbroken and wrote a poem that was later revised into this story.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
When the main character welcomes the monarch butterflies back, symbolizing her love and connection with papá and the hope of a reunion was very special to get right. And when Devon illustrated this scene, I was blown away! I want to hang this spread on my wall.
YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
The goodbye scene when Papá leaves and the main character is left behind. I cried many times writing and revising this spread.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
That we are all connected to people and nature more than we know. We follow similar patterns, traditions, heritage and the seasons to care for our families and survive. The challenges of a whole community and sadness of a little girl in a different country, can be directly linked to the food we are eating at our table right now. When we make those threads visible we can strengthen our understanding and compassion.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2024?
A picture book by author Isabel Allende, “Perla, the Mighty Dog” art by Sandy Rodriguez, a Mexican illustrator. I read many of Isabel’s novels as a teen that moved me deeply and this will be her first book for children.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
What’s helpful for me is to remember to find the universal in very specific and individual moments. I find that the most honest, truthful, and moving stories are the ones that tap into deeply personal and meaningful emotions and memories. The stories we are meant to tell in our unique voice.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
My next picture book APAPACHO LOVE comes out in Fall 2025 illustrated by Erika Meza published by Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. It’s the story of a little girl who wonders how she will cope without her mom’s apapachos-cuddles when Mami leaves on her first work trip. Slowly, she finds comfort in her friends and family by discovering her own power to grow Apapacho Love.
Title: A FLICKER OF HOPE
Author: Cynthia Harmony
Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 27, 2024
ISBN: 9780593525760
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 4-8
*Giveaway Details*
Three (3) winners will receive a hardcover copy of A Flicker of Hope (Cynthia Harmony) ~ US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*
I’ll read this with my butterfly princess!
As a zoo educator this book speaks to my heart so deeply! Can’t wait to add it to our Zoo library
My name is the name of a butterfly. I am always in love with books that speak of it or family
This looks lovely!
The cover is beautiful and this sounds amazing!
This sounds like a wonderful story; I just love the cover!