Arlene Abundis

Arlene Abundis is a Cuban American children’s book author and former preschool teacher based in Southern California. She studied early childhood development at Citrus College and has written about resilience, emotional well-being, and cultural identity. She is also a member of Las Musas Books, a collective of Latinx women authors and illustrators.

Her debut picture book, Into the Mighty Sea, was published by HarperCollins in 2024 and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso. The story follows Mariel, a mixed-race Cuban American girl, as she navigates overwhelming emotions, family, and belonging.