PUBLISHED WORKS
it’s time parenting books got an upgrade
WRITING FOR PARENTS, ENJOYED BY EDUCATORS
Mariana’s writes books for children, but they are not children’s books. These are books that are meant to serve the child, they are just in the hands of the adults around them.
Mariana has a knack for breaking down complex ideas into understandable parts so that anyone can make Montessori actionable in their home or classroom today (without any special gear). She is known for her nonjudgmental approach that empowers readers to bring child development into their everyday practice. Her books are insightful, engaging, and informative, and are intentionally laid out with sleep-deprived readers in mind. Moreover, as an Anti-Bias / Anti-Racist practitioner, Mariana is deeply thoughtful about the content and language of her books, in addition to the illustrations for which she employs illustrators from diverse background to contribute to her books. She invites her audience to join her on the Anti-Bias / Anti-Racist journey so that all the oppressive systems that constrain the children’s ability to develop as they are trying to, can be dismantled and re-Indigenized.
Mariana’s first book, Babies Build Toddlers, is a highly acclaimed Montessori parenting book, published in December of 2020.
Mariana brings her experience as a classroom Montessori teacher, her two AMI Montessori trainings, as well as her experience parenting her own children to the design and content of this powerful book.
Babies Build Toddlers is an illustrated guide to parenting through a child’s first 18 months. With its casual and accessible tone, this book gives readers clear developmental timelines, practical suggestions for how to support the child’s development, and the basics of Montessori Education from birth. It includes chapters on movement, language, eating, sleeping, hygiene/toileting, and bonding, in addition to a full section with references and citations.
“Babies Build Toddlers is like a North Star for the month ahead - guidance for practical steps I need to take tomorrow and also big picture inspiration for the long-road ahead.”
— H.C.
Babies Build Toddlers
A MONTESSORI GUIDE TO PARENTING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS
Babies Build Toddlers: A Montessori Guide to Parenting the First 18 Months is more like a coffee table book than it is a dry parenting paperback. It’s comprehensive, yet easy to read, informative and still engaging, and offers new insights into the child’s most critical years of development.
La obra de la infancia
UNA GUIA MONTESSORI PARA LOS PRIMEROS 18 MESES
The Spanish edition of Babies Build Toddlers, La obra de la infancia, is set to be published in 2024.
The First Plane
A MONTESSORI GUIDE TO THE FIRST 6 YEARS
In an exciting sequel to Babies Build Toddlers, Mariana explores the full first plane of development, the first six years. Based on her continued work with parents and educators supporting children through these first essential years, Mariana is working on an illuminating next chapter in the story of the child.
Montessori Alphabet Book
A CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR A READING-READY FOUNDATION
After parenting her two children and working with so many families through The PEACE Program, Mariana got so frustrated with traditional alphabet books, so she wrote her own. This is planned to be a series from stat to finish of reading and writing.
“Highly recommend! Mariana does a profound job illustrating many key takeaways around child development and accessibility which truly help navigate parenting from the newborn stage into toddlerhood. Hoping there will be more books released in the future!
—Nichol