Alberto Sala looks at a potato growing in the ground.
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Juana Martinez-Neal, Artwork for Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa, by Sara Andrea Fajardo (Roaring Brook Press). © 2025 Juana Martinez-Neal.

Special Storytime: Juana Martinez-Neal

Artists & Authors
For Families
-
Reading Library

Free with Museum admission

Join Juana Martinez-Neal while she reads and shares all about Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa (written by Sara Andrea Fajardo), her new picture book biography about Peruvian scientist Alberto Salas, “the godfather of potatoes.” Come along with Alberto and Juana on the hunt for wild potatoes before they go extinct. Learn how Alberto’s work is essential to continue feeding the world and how you can be part of preserving this, too!

This not-to-be-missed event includes a drawing demonstration from Juana, who is a Caldecott honoree, Pura Belpré medalist, and Robert F. Sibert medalist. 

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online.

Who You'll Meet
Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal is the daughter and granddaughter of painters. She is the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name (Candlewick Press), her debut picture book as author-illustrator. She is also a New York Times bestselling illustrator recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story (Roaring Brook) and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea (Putnam). Juana was born in Lima, the capital of Peru, and now lives in Connecticut, with her husband and three children.

Artist website