Citrus College alumna Arlene Abundis’ first book, “Into the Mighty Sea,” is set to be released June 4.
The picture book follows a young girl named Mariel and her journey to deal with her emotions. It will be published by HarperCollins Publishers.
Abundis, a Cuban-American, graduated from Citrus in 2007 with a degree in early childhood development.
She is working as an aide at a Glendora middle school but has previously taught preschool.
“‘Into the Mighty Sea’ was a way for me to heal the wounds of not belonging,” Abundis said. “Writing is like a mirror that I don’t always want to look in.”
Abundis said growing up she was bullied and spent a lot of time reading. After submitting the final manuscript for the book she sought therapy and was diagnosed with social anxiety, just like Mariel, the main character in the book.
Abundis was a former student in professor Becky Rudd’s English 103: Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking course.
“Arlene was a fully engaged student,” Rudd said, “who had a passion for writing. While the course in which we interacted does not focus on creative writing or publishing, she expressed a desire to do so.”
Abundis was nominated for an academic achievement award in 2017 for English by Rudd.
The nomination was supported by her children’s literature professor at Citrus, the late Eun Kang. Kang encouraged Abundis to submit her poetry to a poetry festival.
Abundis said on the subject of publishing, “I showed her (Kang) the manuscript. She was the only professional outside my friends and family to read it, and she said this needs to be published.
“If she, a professional, said this needed to be published, that made me think that I could do it.”
The illustrations in “Into the Mighty Sea” were done by Cynthia Alonso, an illustrator from Argentina.
“I love the visuals. She really tied into the story,” Adundis said. “The colors really show the kaleidoscope – the broken pieces of myself and the light shining through.”
Alonso did not reply to multiple emails for an interview.
Rudd said Abundis’ identity helps fill a vacuum in children’s literature.
“It is important to note that as a Cuban-American woman,” Rudd said, “her work adds to the diversity often lacking in literature, including children’s literature. It is exciting to have a former Citrus student not only achieve her goals but to follow her passion for writing!”
