Kiki and the Can
Written by John Leguizamo
Illustrated by John "Crash" Matos & Liz Casal
Published by Scholastic Inc. - Orchard Books
When the citywide mural project comes to town, Kiki turns the blank walls of his neighborhood into a colorful canvas that lets him express himself through his vibrant artistry. At the same time, he shows the world the superpower of his cultural community and celebrates what it truly means to be a hero.
Golden Globe nominee, Tony Award-winning actor, and cultural historian John Leguizamo collaborates with his childhood friend, internationally renowned graffiti artist, John “Crash” Matos, to bring their beloved childhood experiences to the page in this love letter to creative expression.
También disponible en Español, Kiki y la Lata.
Primary ISBN: 9781338785692
Publication Date: August 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Various (Hispanic/Latinx/Latine)
Themes: Activism, Arts, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Identity: Exploration, Identity: Multilingual, Multilingual: Spanish Featured Words, Neighbors & Neighborhoods, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States (New York City NY)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Projects & Resources:
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Engagement Materials:
Creators John Leguizamo and John “Crash” Matos introduce Kiki and the Can:
Creators John Leguizamo and John “Crash” Matos share a reading from Kiki and the Can:
El autor John Leguizamo comparte una lectura de Kiki y la Lata (En Español):
Kiki and the Can Activity Sheets (In English)
Activity Poster: Kiki and the Can (In English)
Póster de Actividades: Kiki y la Lata (En Español)
Source: Scholastic