The Stellar Queen of Oaxaca (Paperback or Softback)

Meet Reyna, the visually impaired Queen of Oaxaca City, Mexico, who sees the world in a way most people never imagine. When she declares "Close Your Eyes, Open Your Heart" Day, the entire city receives free blindfolds and an unforgettable invitation: experience the true beauty of Mexico through senses beyond sight.

As the community explores their culture through taste, touch, sound, and smell—savoring delicious food, swaying to vibrant music, and discovering connection in new ways—they learn that the richest experiences come from the heart, not the eyes.

This enchanting story celebrates cross-cultural understanding, introduces Spanish vocabulary, and explores heart-centered leadership while fostering empathy for those with different abilities. Young readers will discover that true vision comes from opening your heart to the world around you.

Written by a Canadian author and beautifully hand-illustrated by a Mexican-Canadian artist, The Stellar Queen of Oaxaca is a sensory journey that transforms how children see—and feel—the world.

Heather Warren has been a lifelong writer, dancer, dreamer, and idealist. She believes that doing the inner work to become more self-aware, expressive and naturally confident are the qualities that make the world a better place. Professionally, she is a heart & biz mentor who helps free spirits, empathetic women and kind solopreneurs to bloom in life and biz.She has published three books - two children's books (The Stellar Queen of Oaxaca and Max's Marvellous Moustache) and a memoir, Loving Coyote: How Dementia Gave Me a Dad, through Creative Connex Publishing. She has also self-published a spiritual memoir based on her unique experiences as a Medium.

Mayra Baquedano Zenteno was born in Mexico where she worked as a preschool teacher before moving to Canada. She has always enjoyedworking with children, and hopes that her illustrations in The Stellar Queen of Oaxaca will share the beauty of Reyna's story as well as the magic of her beloved Mexico with them. Mayra currently lives in Guelph, Ontario and enjoys painting, cooking and crafting.