Chiquis Rivera Announces Children's Book Inspired by Late Mother Jenni Rivera: 'Can't Express the Excitement I Feel' (Exclusive)
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10/17/2024 10:00 AM
'The Girl Who Sings to Bees' will be published in 2025 in both English and Spanish
Francis Bertrand; Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
Chiquis Rivera and the cover of 'The Girl Who Sings to Bees'Chiquis Rivera is publishing a new book with a touching message.
PEOPLE can exclusively share that the Latin Grammy Award winner and television personality, 39, will publish her debut children's book, The Girl Who Sings to Bees, next summer. The book, co-written with Lissette Norman and illustrated by Geraldine Rodríguez, will be published in both English and Spanish, with publishers Roaring Brook Press and Grupo Planeta, and is inspired by the relationship that Chiquis had with her mother, late singer Jenni Rivera.
The children's book, perfect for ages 4-8, follows a girl named Janney, who always used to sing with her mother in Abuelita's garden, in order to help her plants grow. After Janney's mother is gone, Janney finds herself unable to sing — a fact that isn't helped by the bullies at her school.
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
'The Girl Who Sings to Bees' by Chiquis Rivera with Lissette NormanJanney, however, finds herself drawn to a bee in Abuelita's garden — a bee that is brave, focused and more hardworking than the others. Janney becomes inspired by the insect, and finds that she may be able to overcome her fears, once and for all.
Chiqiuis has paid tribute to her mother, who died in a plane crash in 2012 at age 43, in a variety of ways. Those have included the release of the 2018 duet "Quisieran tener mi lugar," a ballad that Jenni recorded before her death, and with an appearance at Jenni's posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiling ceremony in June 2024.
Related: Chiquis Rivera Opens Up About Her Duet With Late Mother Jenni Rivera and Depression
A Girl Who Sings To Bees, per its publisher, aims to show "how remembrance can be healing after the loss of a parent or family member." Chiquis adds that the book also stemmed from experiences she faced herself.
"I have experienced both bullying and cyberbullying firsthand, and let me tell you, it wasn't nice," Chiquis, who also published the bestselling books Unstoppable and Forgiveness, tells PEOPLE. "Which is why I have been so passionate about spreading love and kindness as much as possible, in every way possible, and in everything I do."
"In A Girl Who Sings To Bees my desire is to speak words of life into the children reading this book, so they feel empowered, capable and confident to walk in their power, to set goals and follow their dreams, no matter what adversity they face, like me," the singer and author adds. "If I did it, they can, too."
Related: Jenni Rivera's Daughters Remember Late Singer 8 Years After Tragic Death: 'Nothing Is the Same'
"Chiquis is one of the sweetest, most generous and thoughtful people you'll ever meet," says the book's co-writer Lissette Norman. "It was an absolute joy and honor to co-write this beautiful book with her!"
"This beautiful book invites everyone to find their own authentic voice while honoring the love and inspiration we get from our loved ones," says illustrator Geraldine Rodríguez. "I was very inspired by my grandma and my mother who are the most important women in my life."
Francis Bertrand
Chiquis RiveraAnd for Chiquis, The Girl Who Sings to Bees has been a long time in the making, and holds an important message for young readers.
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"I have had the desire in my heart to write a children's book for over seven years, and I can't express the excitement I feel that it's finally come to fruition," the author explains. "I have always had a special connection with children. It could be because I'm the eldest of five siblings to a single mother who needed my help and support to raise them, or because I know the importance of being a voice of positivity and empowerment in this sometimes cruel world, especially to our younger generations. After all they are our future, but it starts with the example we set, and that's what this book is all about."
The Girl Who Sings to Beeswill hit shelves on July 15, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.
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