My Abuela Is a Bruja

by Mayra Cuevas, Lorena Alvarez Gomez (illustrator)

From an award-winning author comes a vibrant and heartwarming story of the bond between grandmother and grandchild, with a touch of Puerto Rican magic!

My abuela is a bruja.
There is magic in everything she does.

There is nothing more magical than a grandmother's love. But one lucky girl suspects her grandmother has actual magic. It's in the tun-tun-tun of the way she dances salsa, in the warmth of her hugs, and the delicious smell of her cooking. The granddaughter will I have magic of my own one day?

Follow the magic in this heartfelt picture book that features extensive backmatter that includes two special recipes from Mayra Cuevas and uplifiting illustrations from Lorena Alvarez Gómez.

Genres: Picture Books, Latinx, Family, Childrens, Nature, Cooking, Indigenous

40 pages, Library Binding

First published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Puerto Rican girl describes and celebrates her abuela's many magical traits and actions in this gorgeous new picture book from author Mayra Cuevas and illustrator Lorena Alvarez Gómez. From swimming in waterfalls together to signing lullabies, from gardening to cooking delicious food, everything this abuela does is full of wondrous enchantment, and the little girl hopes that one day she too will have the same kind of magic. The book closes with a note from the author about growing up with her abuelas in Puerto Rico, a glossary of Spanish words used in the text, and recipes for sofrito and flan...

Published earlier this year (2025), My Abuela Is a Bruja is Cuevas' debut picture book, although she has previously published two young adult novels. It is my first book from her, and my third from artist Lorena Alvarez Gómez, following upon Starring Carmen and Lights, Camera, Carmen! , which she illustrated for author Anika Denise. I sought it out because of my strong interest in witchy picture books and other illustrated titles—a perennial pet project of mine—and my belief that the eponymous abuela here fell into that category. As it happens, the abuela here is not a bruja in the traditional sense, but rather, as defined in the author's note, someone with "a connection to the natural world, anchored in a spiritual way of living." Of course, the wise woman figure is also a kind of witch, so I don't dispute the terminology, but this figure falls outside my "witchy witches" project, so I have removed that tag from my copy of the book.

In any case, leaving all of that aside, I enjoyed this one a great deal, both for the engaging portrait of the loving bond between a girl and her grandmother, and their many activities together, and for the vibrantly colorful mixed media artwork, which was just gorgeous! I loved the use of color here, and the stylized figures and composition. Gómez' artwork always reminds me of that of Brigitte Barrager, which is a welcome association. Recommended to picture book audiences looking for stories about grandmothers and their grandchildren, and books with a Puerto Rican cultural background.

[Emily Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Abuela Is a Bruja follows the story of a young Puerto Rican granddaughter in awe of all of the magic her grandmother creates. "Bruja," as defined by the book, is a woman who relies on the power of her intuition and honors the gifts of Mother Nature, like Abuela. The granddaughter, or as Abuela calls her, "mija," follows her grandmother around and notices her sprinkle magic in everything she does- in the kitchen, in the garden, and in her presence alone. The story is the perfect blend of English and Spanish and includes a glossary at the end for those readers who are unfamiliar with Spanish. This book would be great for children in grades K-3. I chose this book for my classroom library because it teaches about embracing one's own culture and cultural representation. One of the themes of this book is that magic lives within all of us, but it's up to us to find it. This message could apply to everyone. Key themes of this book include: heritage, Puerto Rican culture, traditions, nature, respect, and magic.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, perfectly fine book celebrating a child’s appreciation of their talented grandmother. Lots of Puerto Rican cultural specifics, which are swell, and bonus points for including two recipes. I find the colorful, cartoony illustrations plasticy looking and reminiscent of a cheap cartoon. My fundamental problem is there is no story here, just an appreciation and elegaic reminiscence of a specific, culturally-grounded, life experience. All fine, just more for adults than for kids.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following a young girl as she joins her abuela around Puerto Rico, this book is a celebration of a beautiful faith in Puerto Rican culture.  Our protagonist explains to readers what it is she loves about her abuela being a bruja and how she hopes to follow in her footsteps.  Starting with one sentence – “My abuela is a bruja”– Cuevas reclaims a faith that past Spanish colonizers tried to erase.  Each page captures a different element of being a bruja, such as working in the earth, dancing to music, and cooking delicious food.  While the term “bruja” is never directly explained, Cuevas does a wonderful job showcasing a Bruja’s life while honoring the passed-down nature of this cultural practice.  Readers will also love the recipes included at the very end, and those learning Spanish will appreciate the glossary for words like hamaca, sofrito, and coquí (frogs).  My Abuela is a Bruja is a fun, colorful, sincere celebration of real Puerto Rican magic.

Colombian illustrator, Lorena Alvarez Gómez, creates beautiful illustrations to accompany Cuevas’s words.  Full of the charm and wonder she’s known for, her illustrations stand out with bold colors and cartoonish whimsy (particularly the coquís).  Gómez does a great job showcasing Puerto Rico, as she pairs the opening sentence, “My abuela is a bruja,” with a magical tw0-page spread of Puerto Rican culture that carries over into the next two pages.  Every page in this book is packed with visual representation of Puerto Rico, from food to flowers to animals to trees.  Gómez does the perfect job of making every page feel like magic, while also capturing the essence of this faith.  Readers will enjoy watching the small curly-haired girl and her abuela dance and sing and play from cover to cover. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Anna Orenstein-Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a proud Puerto Rican, MY ABUELA IS A BRUJA touched my heart deeply. Reading this story brought back so many memories of my own Tía Abuela, whose love, laughter, and everyday magic shaped my childhood in much the same way. The rhythm, warmth, and cariño in Mayra’s words truly capture what makes our abuelas so special!

The lush illustrations by Lorena Álvarez Gómez are pure enchantment, wrapping readers in the colors, flavors, and spirit of our island.

This book is a heartfelt celebration of family, heritage, and the magic we inherit through love. What a gift to our culture and to all readers who believe in a little bit of everyday magic.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely exquisite homage to the island of Puerto Rico: to its native Taíano people, the lush native beauty of the land, beaches, vegetation, flora and fauna, the rich language, the music to set you dancing, the foods and flavors to tantalize the senses. Author Mayra Cuevas has written a love story to the island, its peoples and to the amazing women, the magical brujas, who are rebuilding the cultural and spiritual practices destroyed by the conquistadors. The illustrations by Lorena Alvarez Gomez are so warm, rich, and appealing. An outstanding introduction to the island of Puerto Rico and to the incredible relationship between a young girl and her beloved Abuela.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing from her own childhood in Puerto Rico, the author of this picture book [3.5 for me!] celebrates her wonderful abuela and women like her who seem able to transform the ordinary into something magical. How do they do this? Through cooking, through gardening, through dancing, even through bedtime rituals. Vivid words and memorable description such as flan that "tastes like sugary kisses and caramel dreams" (unpaged) and equally impressive mixed media illustrations capture effectively the love and admiration shared by granddaughter and grandmother.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at a concept in Puerto Rico and an aspect of their historic culture, the Bria, a woman of intuition. In the story the abuela (grandmother) is a creative magical woman to the grandchild, very much what all grandchildren think about their grandmothers in all cultures.
A number of Spanish words used throughout the text and many are easily known from the sentence context as well as the illustrations which were done in mixed media and they are bright and beautiful.
Recommend this introduction to a slice of Puerto Rican culture because it is part of the United States.

[A Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful love letter to Abuela Cucqui and Borikén. Cuevas places readers right in the midst of the magic and the illustrations compliment the story wonderfully. I appreciate the author's note at the end, which does not shy away from acknowledging that colonizers denounced the indigenous peoples' spiritual practices and cut them off from their tribal history and traditions. The end of the book also includes a glossary of Spanish words, two recipes, and a photo of Mayra and Abulea Cuqui. I love it.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful story from a young girl's perspective, about a day spent with her abuela, who she says is a bruja! It's so cool to see the world from her perspective, showing all the cool things her grandmother can do! The book never uses the word "witch," and describes a bruja as "a woman who relies on the power of her intuition and honors the gifts of Mother Nature," which I think is really cool! The illustrations are so beautiful and there's even recipe's in the back!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Puerto Rican girl marvels at the magic of her abuela - in the garden, in the kitchen, making music, and in every day tasks. The young girl wants to be just like her abuela - cherishing nature, appreciating the gifts from the earth, and family traditions.

The author explains a bit of Puerto Rican history at the end. There is also a glossary and two recipes! One for sofrito and one for flan.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this intergenerational bilingual story, a young Puerto Rican girl expresses her admiration for her grandmother and all the “magical” abilities that make her so special, especially her boundless love. Vibrant illustrations depict the beauty of Puerto Rico and its rich island culture. End pages include an Author’s Note about growing up in Puerto Rico, a glossary of Spanish words and phrases, and Abuela’s recipes for her savory sofrito and dreamy flan.

[Maritere Rodriguez Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in Puerto Rico, like the author, this story brought back so many memories with my Mima. That is what I called my abuela. Readers will enjoy all the different ways that Abuela shows her magic and the cultural traditions weaved into the story. The illustrations by Lorena Alvarez Gómez are fun and colorful and totally capture Abuela’s identity and charm. ¡Brava, Mayra Cuevas!

[Kara Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it mixes everyday family life with a touch of magic. The story shows how special the bond between grandparents and grandchildren can be. The colorful pictures make the story feel warm and full of energy. It’s a wonderful reminder to be proud of where you come from and to see the magic in the people you love.

[Carol Youssif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a resounding triumph, where heritage, family, nature, history, and love come together. The breathtaking illustrations and color palette will transport the reader to a luminous, vibrant, tropical place.

[Marie Friedmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations bring to life beautiful, heartfelt words. I am sharing this story with all the kids in my life. The yummy recipes and inspiring author’s note add to the magic of this special book.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this from Cuevas' author's talk. Alvarez' illustrations are superb. I remember a time when I thought my grandparents were magical and hope my grandchildren will keep a little magic into their adulthoods.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book! I want to live in Lorena Alvarez Gomez’s illustrations. 💕

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the bright colorful illustrations and the inclusion of recipes

[Sassygirl87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story includes a recipe for Abuela'a "Flan" and "Sofrito."

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The color palette is richly satisfying.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl is on a beautiful tropical island with her abuela. lots of magnificent illustrations of music, plants, and animals. abuela also Cooks delicious food.

[Heather Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning book celebrating the magic of Abuela. Gorgeously illustrated. A perfect gift and family read aloud.