Marissa Valdez is a Latinx author–illustrator who grew up on the South Texas border dreaming that one day she could draw for a living. She moved to Boston where she received a BFA in Fine Arts, and then came back to Texas where she currently resides with her two extremely vocal cats. She loves to illustrate stories that are overflowing with humor, wit, and totally out-there situations, like Who Wet My Pants or Stuck. If there’s a tough and lovable female lead, that’s a huge plus!

AMBITIOUS GIRL (Little Brown, 2021) is her debut picture book as illustrator. Marissa is also illustrating the young chapter book series ESME’S BIRTHDAY CONGA LINE (Tundra, 2022) about a plucky girl who is sure she can plan her own birthday party when her Mimi and Pipo forget. Marissa is represented by Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Marissa Valdez on Ambitious Girl with Annabella Correa Maynard