*REGISTER WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME - SEPARATE REGISTRATION FOR EACH CHILD*

Authors & Illustrators Night is a marquee event at Lowell Elementary School, funded by PTA donations and facilitated by the hard work of PTA volunteers. This year's event is a product of the hard work of Lowell Parent and Event Chair Lisa Johnston Hancock. 

All of us feel worried or scared sometimes. And sometimes those worries can feel so big, they can carry us away. But with a few simple tools, we can learn to manage those worries. Mónica will read from her new book, The Worry Balloon, a story about Isa’s first day of school and all of the big worries that come along with it. After the reading, Mónica will guide students through a few techniques for calming the nervous system. A Q & A will follow.

Mónica Mancillas is an award-winning author of books for children of all ages. Her work includes MARIANA AND HER FAMILIA (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray), THE WORRY BALLOON (Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press), HOW TO SPEAK IN SPANGLISH (Penguin Workshop), SING IT LIKE CELIA (Penguin Workshop 2025), and LEYENDAS/LEGENDS (Chronicle 2025). She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley before pursuing a decade-long career in the recording industry, during which time she released a self-produced album entitled On the Brink. She currently teaches piano in Burbank, California, where she resides with her husband and daughter. https://www.monicamancillas.com/