Auntie for Mía: A Book About Bonds That Cross Oceans

About the Book:

Auntie for Mía is a story about distance—about having your loved ones far away and the effort it takes to stay connected despite the miles between.

The story follows Mía and her aunt, who live in different countries. Every reunion is a treasure: time stolen from distance to create memories that will last until the next visit.

Together they have fun, watch TV, dance, dress up, and collect moments to carry in their hearts when it's time to say goodbye.

It’s a story full of color, tenderness, and deep connection—a celebration of everyday love and the creativity it takes to keep family bonds strong across distance.

It reminds us how important it is to live in the present, to be truly with those we love, even if the next hug is still far away.

💛 Why this book?

In children's literature, there are very few stories about the role of aunts and uncles, or about the special bond they share with their nieces and nephews—a safe space where play, care, humor, and a unique kind of closeness all come together.

As a writer—and an aunt—I felt the need to give visibility to this role we play in raising children. To that kind of love that isn’t always named, but that supports, accompanies, and leaves a lasting mark.

This book was born from that deep desire: to tell the story of how we love, how we care, and how we stay close—even when we’re far apart. It’s a tribute to the kind of love that crosses borders, survives long distances, and grows through small but meaningful moments.

🍝 Did this story begin with a bowl of mac and cheese?

Yes!

Mía would choose a bowl of mac and cheese over the vegetable soup her aunt makes. She’d rather have chicken nuggets and fries than a bolón de verde, or pizza instead of rice with menestra and patacones.

Mía speaks Spanish with a Yankee accent; her first language is the one her mom used to muddle through when she was younger.

She says “po favo” and “muchos gracias.”

When something surprises her, she exclaims, “¡Chuta madrew!”

She doesn’t distinguish between masculine and feminine in Spanish and uses articles however she pleases.

And then one day she blurted out:
“¡Ven ñaño a jugar!”

Ñaño is a Spanish-Quichua word that comes from ñaña, meaning “sister.” In my country, ñaño doesn’t just mean brother or sister—it also means closeness, trust, deep affection.

That sweet moment planted the seed for this book: a loving dialogue between two worlds, two languages, and two ways of belonging.

This is a story about distance—and about how love insists, adapts, and invents new ways to stay present.

It’s about identity, affection, and belonging—but also about imagination, humor, and the playful power of language.

It’s a book to be read out loud, to laugh with, to remember, and to share with family.

In this story, an aunt—La Ñaño—and her niece Mía find ways to be together even when the world feels too big.

Because when you live far away, distance hurts a little less when it’s filled with words, drawings, and love. And when you finally meet again, the hug feels like a kind of healing: body and voice finally in the same place.

🌎 A Book with Roots and Wings

Auntie for Mía was born from a deeply personal experience, but the story it tells belongs to many families.

This book speaks of distance—and of how love insists, invents, and adapts.

It speaks of identity, affection, and belonging, as well as imagination, humor, and play as a universal language.

It’s a book to read out loud, to laugh with, to remember, and to share with family.

In this story, an aunt—La Ñaño—and her niece Mía find ways to be together, even when the world feels too big.

Because when you live far apart, distance hurts a little less when it’s filled with words, drawings, and love. And when the reunion finally comes, the hug feels like healing: body and voice, at last, in the same place.

💗 Why I need your support

Instead of publishing it on a commercial platform, where it would be lost among thousands of titles, I decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign.

Why?

Because I want this book to be born from a sense of community, printed by a local family-run press in Valencia, and presented in a neighborhood bookstore.

I believe in supporting local businesses and a more human publishing process.

My dream is for Auntie for Mía to keep traveling the world, crossing borders just like the families who inspired it.

That’s why this campaign has three wings:

🕊️ 1. Print the first edition of the book, for the world
In Ecuador, the book has already had four sold-out editions, thanks to the support of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana (CCE).

This is a non-commercial project, created to reach communities, libraries, and public schools—places where books are often scarce, but more necessary than ever.

Now I hope it can spread its wings and reach bookstores and homes in Spain and beyond. Will you help me?

🎉 2. Organize a special launch event in Valencia
The city where I currently live.

I want to celebrate with you, thank you, and share the story in a space full of friendship and love—a launch hosted in a local bookstore.

✍️ 3. Keep flying as an independent writer
Between Ecuador and Europe, creating stories that connect, support, and heal.

Your support helps keep this journey going.

Every contribution is like another feather in this shared flight.

✨ Handmade with love and gouache

For those who don’t know us, we are Silvi Albuja (writer, migrant, currently living in Spain) and Cris Yépez “La Cardenilla”—and together we brought Auntie for Mía to life.

Cris is a well-known Ecuadorian illustrator and Maya’s mom. Without her talent, this project would not have been possible.

Like the story in the book, we slowly wove this tale with care, creativity, tenderness, and humor—between Valencia 🇪🇸 and Quito 🇪🇨.

The concept, design, layout, and the entire process took me five years. We poured in tons of imagination, patience, and hours of handcrafted work.

The illustrations were made entirely by hand using:

gouache,colored pencils,paper cutouts.

The illustrations shift from cool to warm tones. Threads symbolize connection—or tangled communication. The sea becomes an emotional space, full of longing and transition. The moon cradles. The round world holds their days.

Each double-page spread is a bridge between two hearts beating in different countries.

Every texture, every shadow, and every stroke tells a story.

Nothing in this book was digitally generated: it’s pure craftsmanship, made with heart and patience.

✨ A book that’s already been recognized

In 2021, Auntie for Mía was submitted for the Lazarillo Illustrated Album Prize (OEPLI), where it was preselected for its narrative and visual quality.

In 2023, we won the Open Call for Publications from the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana (CCE–Azuay).

In January 2024, it was officially launched in Cuenca, Ecuador—and sold out within weeks. Sharing that news brings me joy.

In July 2024, we participated in the Quito Book Fair.

Each recognition brought joy and confirmed what we felt: this intimate story connects with the everyday lives and emotions of many families.

It’s important to mention that editing was handled by the Editorial Team of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana – Azuay branch (CCE-Azuay) and our project editor, Talia Calle. This careful editing process highlights the professional quality and backing behind this work.

How the contributions will be used
📘 45% Printing – Family-owned press in Valencia. Your name will be included in the book as a supporter.

💻 10% Platform fee (Verkami)

🎨25% Rewards and materials (bookmarks, special packs, shipping)

🚚15% Logistics and national/international distribution

💻5% Promotion, communication, local bookstore event

📘 Timeline

If we reach our goal, the book will be printed in January 2026 and delivered to your home with free shipping in the first half of February 2026. My hope is that it can be your (slightly late) Three Kings Day gift. ✨

💌 Thank you for supporting this flight

Your support makes it possible for this story to keep traveling—so more families can meet Mía and her aunt, and we can continue turning gratitude into art.

Each printed book will be a new opportunity to bring hearts closer through words and illustrations.

Today I’m asking for your help so I can continue growing as a writer—and keep imagining and creating stories.

🕊️ Thank you for helping me keep flying.