Marissa Valdez is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Ambitious Girl, A Is for Ambitious, and the Hattie Harmony books by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett. She hopes that her work encourages young girls to be ambitious and to dream big. She has a BFA in animation from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and has worked as a preschool teacher, graphic designer, and freelance illustrator. She invites you to visit her online at marissavaldez.com.

"I love that Ambitious Girl both shows and tells--it shows a girl who looks like my own daughter and tells her, and her brother, that women's ambition is powerful and something to be celebrated."

"I know a thing or two about being called 'ambitious' as an insult. But ambitious girls fight for change. Ambitious girls lift up their communities. Ambitious girls run for president. Ambitious girls can do anything. This celebration of girls' ambition is timely, inspiring, and much-needed."

"This wonderful book tells young girls what we have ALL needed to hear but haven't heard nearly enough: Ambition is good, and girls who are ambitious achieve great things and help others. This delightful book is a must read for every little girl."--Padma Lakshmi, Author, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and ACLU Artist Ambassador for Immigrant and Women's Rights project

"Being ambitious means daring to be different and being willing to break the mold. That can be scary, but with Ambitious Girl by her side, young girls will know they can do anything."

"The soft watercolor illustrations amplify the book's underlying messages of love and hope, filling the backgrounds with a multiracial cast of women diverse in age, sexuality, ethnicity, and ability. An inspiring, rhyming ode to female ambition."--Kirkus Reviews

"Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model."--Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully illustrated, this book is a testament to anyone who has fought to see representation where it's lacking."--School Library Journal