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“Readers navigating multiple cultural identities will empathize with Apolonia’s conflicting feelings, and disabled readers will welcome the acknowledgment that being disabled in a nondisabled family can be lonely. All will cheer for Apolonia…A heartwarming story of family and belonging.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“A heartfelt, relatable story that celebrates friendship, family, and self acceptance, this picture book offers readers both emotional resonance and strong representation of disability and cultural identity.”

—Booklist

All of Apolonia

Written by Patty Cisneros Prevo
Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

It’s Apolonia’s birthday, and she can’t wait to celebrate with her teammates and her cousins. Mamá’s rented extra wheelchairs so her primas can join her for a game of wheelchair basketball, and Papá’s making arracheras and tres leches cake for all of her guests.

But as the party approaches, Apolonia starts to worry that her two worlds are on a collision course. Her teammates want pizza and ice cream, and her cousins think wheelchair basketball sounds weird. Apolonia wonders if this birthday party is a mistake, but with a little help from Mamá, she realizes that her community wants to celebrate her—every part of her.

In this beautiful story with Spanish words and phrases sprinkled throughout, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo and award-winning illustrator Mirelle Ortega explore the fears many kids have about fitting in and recognize the joy of being celebrated for exactly who they are.

Primary ISBN: 9781419772849
Publication Date: March 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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