Books with author Ricardo Cortes

"It's Just a Plant follows the journey of a young girl named Jackie, who becomes curious about cannabis after she discovers her parents smoking a joint in their bedroom. Jackie's education about marijuana includes visits to several members of her community, including a farmer who cultivates the plant and a doctor who advises that cannabis should only be used by adults...Cortés' book offers an opportunity for parents to discuss many aspects of the conversation around marijuana."--High Times"Part of a growing category of books that attempt to explain difficult and complex topics to children, simply. Whether you're looking at Death Is Stupid, by Anastasia Higginbotham, or A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, children's fiction is much less likely to shy away from topics that were previously reserved for those considered to be 'adults,' or to cloud those topics in euphemisms."--Literary Hub, selected by Molly Odintz for LitHub Recommends"As controversial as the topic may seem for a kids' book, [Cortés is]...right. It's crucial for parents to be open and educate their kids about marijuana (and any other drugs, really) in a factual, non-judgmental way--especially if parents are using themselves. After all, keeping drugs' existence a mystery is only going to spark curious kids' interests further."--SheKnows"With more home schooling taking place due to COVID-19, Ricardo Cortés hopes It's Just a Plant can spark family-friendly cannabis education."--Mugglehead"We've all heard the sentiment that the more we keep our kids away from something and paint it as 'dangerous' or 'bad,' the more likely they are to be interested in whatever that is. The same can be said for conversations like his--if we avoid or brush off any questions relating to marijuana for our kids, they're going to get the information from somewhere and it just feels a whole lot safer knowing they're getting the right information from you--or a book like this."--Fatherly"Absolutely 'kid friendly' in tone, organization and presentation, It's Just a Plant: A Children's Story about Marijuana is especially recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library...collections."--Midwest Book Review"The fact is, kids who have parents who talk to them openly and respectfully about tough subjects are better able to navigate the chaos of the teen and young adult years. And for that reason, I am so here for this book."--MomtasticIt's Just a Plant is a children's book that follows the journey of a young girl as she learns about the marijuana plant from a cast of characters including her parents, a local farmer, a doctor, and a police officer.Marijuana can be hard to talk about. Many parents have tried it, millions use it, and most feel awkward about disclosing such histories (often ducking the question), for fear that telling kids the truth might encourage them to experiment too. Meanwhile, the "drug facts" children learn in school can be more frightening than educational, blaming pot for everything from teenage pregnancy to terrorism. A child's first awareness of drugs should come from a better source.It's Just a Plant is a story for parents who want to discuss the complexities of pot with their kids in a thoughtful, fact-oriented manner. The book also features an afterword by Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD, founder of the Safety First Project for drug education and director emerita of the San Francisco office of the Drug Policy Alliance, the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs.

"The phenomenal artwork is what truly makes this book special. The landscapes of the sea, the sky, and outer space are breathtaking. Cortés's different blending and thinning of the colors create a world of beauty. This fascinating tale of perspective and point of view makes a fine addition for most collections."--School Library Journal"Sumptuous paintings and an engaging conceit make this a terrific read-aloud choice."--Wall Street Journal"A stunningly illustrated story of a shark who has a frightening encounter with 'sea creatures' who come from above."--Brooklyn Daily Eagle"Cortés' premise has child appeal and even some STEM utility, and his lovely illustrations invite contemplation of the teeming worlds above and beneath the sea...The depictions of the curve of the Earth in space and of the sky--cloudy or starry, always vast--are lush...Enjoy this tale's accomplished visuals and percussive rhymes."--Kirkus Reviews"[A] memorable and beautifully illustrated children's picture book...Ricardo Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean...Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm and entertain children."--Midwest Book Review"One can applaud Cortés for inviting us to learn about sharks...children will enter and emerge from this book with a new understanding of humans' interest in sharks and ocean life."--New York Journal of Books"Stunning illustrations immerse us into understanding the shark's perspective. A valuable concept that can change how we think of any fellow earth dwelling creature be it on earth or in the sea."--The Reading Ninja"The story moves in a poetic ebb and flow of an ocean current, and is well balanced by the very colorful illustrations."--Inspire the Muse"A beautifully rhymed and painted book that is almost philosophically asking about the being and existence of otherness. Proved and tested with my two-year-old, who became very tranquil and curious looking at the beautiful seascape."--The Manolist"This is a gorgeously illustrated view of the world by a shark."--The Cyberlibrarian"A beautifully illustrated book that is a magical and compelling read!"--MyShelf"Enchanting. You feel like you're in the water swimming with the other fish...The images alone are worth the price of the book."--Journey of a BooksellerA shark, swimming the seas, encounters...Aliens.Will anyone believe it is true?Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children's picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.

It's Just A Plant is a beautifully illustrated story that tells the tale of how a child learns about marijuana, the most widely-used illegal drug in the world. It is a tool for parents to use in creating conversation that educates, rather than merely frightens, their young children about cannabis use. It's Just A Plant provides honest and helpful information about the plant that puts the safety of children before politics.

"A delightful book . . . a glimpse of what enlightened drug education could be."—Andrew Weil, MD"Funny . . . offbeat . . . a riot, with a series of characters explaining the glory of cannabis to a young girl and her mother."—New York Post (3.5 out of 4 stars)It's Just a Plant is an illustrated children's book about marijuana. It follows the journey of a young girl as she learns about the plant from a diverse cast of characters including her parents, a local farmer, a doctor, and a police officer.Marijuana can be hard to talk about. Many parents have tried it, millions still use it, and most feel awkward about disclosing such histories (many duck the question), for fear that telling kids the truth might encourage them to experiment too. Meanwhile, the "drug facts" children learn in school can be more frightening than educational, blaming pot for everything from teenage pregnancy to terrorism. A child's first awareness of drugs should come from a better source.It's Just a Plant is a book for parents who want to discuss the complexities of pot in a thoughtful, fact-oriented manner.NOTE: THIS BOOK DOES NOT ADVOCATE DRUG/MARIJUANA USE.

"It's Just a Plant follows the journey of a young girl named Jackie, who becomes curious about cannabis after she discovers her parents smoking a joint in their bedroom. Jackie's education about marijuana includes visits to several members of her community, including a farmer who cultivates the plant and a doctor who advises that cannabis should only be used by adults...Cortés' book offers an opportunity for parents to discuss many aspects of the conversation around marijuana."--High Times"Part of a growing category of books that attempt to explain difficult and complex topics to children, simply. Whether you're looking at Death Is Stupid, by Anastasia Higginbotham, or A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, children's fiction is much less likely to shy away from topics that were previously reserved for those considered to be 'adults,' or to cloud those topics in euphemisms."--Literary Hub, selected by Molly Odintz for LitHub Recommends"As controversial as the topic may seem for a kids' book, [Cortés is]...right. It's crucial for parents to be open and educate their kids about marijuana (and any other drugs, really) in a factual, non-judgmental way--especially if parents are using themselves. After all, keeping drugs' existence a mystery is only going to spark curious kids' interests further."--SheKnows"With more home schooling taking place due to COVID-19, Ricardo Cortés hopes It's Just a Plant can spark family-friendly cannabis education."--Mugglehead"We've all heard the sentiment that the more we keep our kids away from something and paint it as 'dangerous' or 'bad,' the more likely they are to be interested in whatever that is. The same can be said for conversations like his--if we avoid or brush off any questions relating to marijuana for our kids, they're going to get the information from somewhere and it just feels a whole lot safer knowing they're getting the right information from you--or a book like this."--Fatherly"Absolutely 'kid friendly' in tone, organization and presentation, It's Just a Plant: A Children's Story about Marijuana is especially recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library...collections."--Midwest Book Review"The fact is, kids who have parents who talk to them openly and respectfully about tough subjects are better able to navigate the chaos of the teen and young adult years. And for that reason, I am so here for this book."--MomtasticIt's Just a Plant is a children's book that follows the journey of a young girl as she learns about the marijuana plant from a cast of characters including her parents, a local farmer, a doctor, and a police officer.Marijuana can be hard to talk about. Many parents have tried it, millions use it, and most feel awkward about disclosing such histories (often ducking the question), for fear that telling kids the truth might encourage them to experiment too. Meanwhile, the "drug facts" children learn in school can be more frightening than educational, blaming pot for everything from teenage pregnancy to terrorism. A child's first awareness of drugs should come from a better source.It's Just a Plant is a story for parents who want to discuss the complexities of pot with their kids in a thoughtful, fact-oriented manner. The book also features an afterword by Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD, founder of the Safety First Project for drug education and director emerita of the San Francisco office of the Drug Policy Alliance, the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs.

"The phenomenal artwork is what truly makes this book special. The landscapes of the sea, the sky, and outer space are breathtaking. Cortés's different blending and thinning of the colors create a world of beauty. This fascinating tale of perspective and point of view makes a fine addition for most collections."--School Library Journal"Sumptuous paintings and an engaging conceit make this a terrific read-aloud choice."--Wall Street Journal"A stunningly illustrated story of a shark who has a frightening encounter with 'sea creatures' who come from above."--Brooklyn Daily Eagle"Cortés' premise has child appeal and even some STEM utility, and his lovely illustrations invite contemplation of the teeming worlds above and beneath the sea...The depictions of the curve of the Earth in space and of the sky--cloudy or starry, always vast--are lush...Enjoy this tale's accomplished visuals and percussive rhymes."--Kirkus Reviews"[A] memorable and beautifully illustrated children's picture book...Ricardo Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean...Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm and entertain children."--Midwest Book Review"One can applaud Cortés for inviting us to learn about sharks...children will enter and emerge from this book with a new understanding of humans' interest in sharks and ocean life."--New York Journal of Books"Stunning illustrations immerse us into understanding the shark's perspective. A valuable concept that can change how we think of any fellow earth dwelling creature be it on earth or in the sea."--The Reading Ninja"The story moves in a poetic ebb and flow of an ocean current, and is well balanced by the very colorful illustrations."--Inspire the Muse"A beautifully rhymed and painted book that is almost philosophically asking about the being and existence of otherness. Proved and tested with my two-year-old, who became very tranquil and curious looking at the beautiful seascape."--The Manolist"This is a gorgeously illustrated view of the world by a shark."--The Cyberlibrarian"A beautifully illustrated book that is a magical and compelling read!"--MyShelf"Enchanting. You feel like you're in the water swimming with the other fish...The images alone are worth the price of the book."--Journey of a BooksellerA shark, swimming the seas, encounters...Aliens.Will anyone believe it is true?Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children's picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.