Adriana's Angels

by Ruth Goring, Erika Meza (Illustrator)

Two angels, Milagros (Miracles) and Alegría (Joy), wield their protective power surreptitiously and sometimes with a hint of humor, listening constantly for God's direction as they watch over a little girl named Adriana. Adriana and her family are forced to flee their home in Colombia and start a new life in Chicago. Throughout difficult times, big transitions, and the ordinary moments of childhood, Adriana's angels whisper messages of God's love and presence.

Genres: Picture Books, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

A poet and an author-illustrator of children’s picture books were the first things I remember wanting to do when I grew up. A lot of life had to happen to me before those dreams could ripen—straddling two cultures, adopting and birthing children (one each way), love and loss, poverty, beauty, spiritual searching. I’m grateful for it all, and I’m hungry for more (as the song goes, “more love, more power, / more of You in my life”). My books and poems are expressions of that hunger.

Dearworthy, my little book of meditations on the beautiful writings of Julian of Norwich, each with a botanical image, was published in 2024 by Anamchara Books.

Isaiah and the Worry Pack, a children's picture book, was an inaugural IVP Kids publication in 2021. My author/illustrator debut, Picturing God (Beaming Books, 2019), was a Junior Literary Guild selection. And my beloved first picture book, Adriana's Angels / Los ángeles de Adriana, was published in 2017 by Sparkhouse Family / Augsburg Fortress; the Spanish edition won a silver Moonbeam Award that same year.

Yellow Doors, my first poetry collection, was published by WordFarm (2003-4); my second is Soap Is Political (Glass Lyre, 2015). I got to discuss Soap Is Political and read a few poems from the book in an interview with Jerome McDonnell of Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview program here: https://www.wbez.org/stories/ruth-gor.... My poems have appeared in CALYX, Pilgrimage, Comstock Review, RHINO, Iron Horse Literary Review, New Madrid, Crab Orchard Review, numerous other journals, and several anthologies. It's a privilege to have a poem in Martín Espada's 2019 anthology What Saves Us (NWU Press).

I grew up in Colombia and in recent years have traveled back to provide accompaniment and advocacy to Colombian peace communities and human rights defenders. And just to be with dear friends and glory in rivers, waterfalls, and the Andes mountains.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a sweet, simple, faith-based story that is ideal for immigrant children and the libraries, schools, and programs that serve them.

[Gayle Slagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adriana's Angels by Ruth Goring is a faith based illustrated children's book which encourages wonder and compassion. Two angels, Milagras and Alegria, protect Adriana, a young child who has recently immigrated from Colombia and is now living in Chicago. Frightened of her new environment and missing her native home, Milagras and Alegria offer protection and advice to Adriana. The illustrations by Erika Meza are very colorful and accurately portray the meaning of the story.

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Goring pens a thoughtful, gentle tale of Adriana and her two angels, who watch over her as she goes through the trauma of leaving her Columbia home and relocating in Chicago. Based on a true story, this book highlights the plight of refugees and will help raise awareness and empathy for all who seek asylum. It's no wonder that the Spanish edition is a 2017 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards winner. Highly recommended.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good uplifting read for younger readers. I read it to the grandkids and enjoyed both the reading and their reaction

[Shannon Theis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about God protecting and caring for a young girl who feels afraid and hurt when she moves to a new place. It is a very relatable theme for a lot of young kids.

[Sundry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, beautifully illustrated tale of comfort and hope for the faithful. There is also a Spanish language version!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual story but liked message of "God's love" being with this refugee family.

[Moniqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up from HPB clearance because the art is so very lovely. The story itself lacks a conclusion, but it seems like an important addition to children's books about immigrant refugees.

[Theresa Holsted]

What a wonderful book! An experience to share with your child over and over again...

[Fabiola Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply lovely. Uplifting and beautiful illustrations. My 7yr old really enjoyed this book. Excited to read more from Ruth Goring.

[Diego Dotta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was going great, but then it just ended so suddenly :(