About the Artist & Authors

A passionate and caring person, Lina Cuartas has dedicated her life to sharing her talents with others.  By the age of three, Lina was creating art “out of an intense desire to capture the magic of the world around us.” By age 14, she had already developed an “ear” for languages and a “heart” for teaching. 

One experience that has significantly influenced Lina’s writings and illustrations was the time she spent teaching the Huitotos and Boras children of the Amazon rainforest. The lessons she learned from the native people and animals of the Amazon changed her perspective on life forever. Today, she is a devoted advocate for nature and underprivileged children.     

Lina's dedication and love for children led her to institute an afternoon learning program in her community in Medellin, Colombia. On a daily basis, she engaged children of all ages with creative and educational activities. This experience led her to publish her first activity book for school-age children, Crezcamos Juntos! (Come Grow With Me!). Over 25,000 copies of this book have been sold in Colombia.   

Annabel is co-author of Come Into My World! and is a contributor to Lina’s books and ideas.  She is an attorney with extensive experience as an advocate for children.  Annabel is also a trained volunteer promoting early literacy for young children, a certified Yoga instructor, and an ABT Certified Provider of The Listening Program, a music therapy program for children and adults.  She enjoys teaching others how to incorporate early literacy and learning with music,  Yoga and other activities found in Come Into My World! 

Annabel also writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News Moms Blog, where she contributes ideas on how to strengthen children and families.  You can read Annabel’s columns by visiting http://momsblog.dallasnews.com/ and clicking on her name, which appears under the “Categories” section of the home page. 

Lina writes a weekly article for Motah, an educational website committed to inspiring parents and children.  You can read Lina’s articles by visiting www.motah.us and clicking on the Motah Blog link.

Lina and Annabel believe that every child is a precious being with unlimited potential.  As parents and caring adults, we have the opportunity and responsibility to nurture and cultivate their minds so that they learn to question, create, wonder and imagine new possibilities. 

Our children are the future artisans of our world. Our planet desperately needs lifelong learners who will be passionate advocates for its preservation and all who inhabit it. Lina and Annabel encourage you to seize the opportunity to create bonds of love, harmony and union with your children. Take time to share your heritage, stories, hopes and dreams with them.  As you do so, you are securing our future, their future, and the future of generations to come.