Jeanette Gil’s first picture book began the way many family stories do — with her grandchildren asking questions about where they came from. The Cuban-American grandmother and educator turned those conversations into “Aloe Vera’s Special Gift,” a debut picture book published through her own imprint, Zun Zun Press, in 2025.
The book tells a story of self-discovery rooted in healing and intergenerational wisdom, themes Gil says reflect her own experience bridging cultures and generations. But what sets her work apart is how she’s combining her academic background with creative storytelling — she’s currently completing her doctorate in Applied Learning Sciences at the University of Miami, where her research focuses on bilingualism, identity, and family learning.
“I’m not just writing books,” Gil explains. “I’m creating learning experiences that families can use to grow together.” Through Ceiba Creative LLC and Zun Zun Press, she’s building what she calls a “learning ecosystem” around her stories — companion activity books, educator guides, and workshops that translate research into practical tools for parents and teachers.
From Research to Real-World Application
Gil’s approach reflects a broader shift in children’s literature toward content that serves multiple purposes. Her bilingual children’s books and educational resources are designed for children ages 3-8, but they’re equally focused on supporting the adults in their lives — parents, grandparents, teachers, and school counselors looking for social-emotional learning materials that honor cultural identity.
The books have earned multiple five-star editorial reviews and caught the attention of community libraries, pediatric offices, and faith-based organizations. What these groups share, according to Gil, is a recognition that storytelling can be a tool for both literacy and emotional growth.
Her plans for the next three years include expanding “Aloe Vera’s Special Gift” into Spanish and Portuguese editions, with a second children’s book already scheduled for 2026. She’s also developing what she calls a signature learning framework that merges storytelling with emotional intelligence principles drawn from her doctoral research.
Building a Platform for Diverse Voices
Beyond her own writing, Gil is using Zun Zun Press to support emerging authors from multicultural backgrounds. The press focuses specifically on stories that celebrate heritage while expanding literacy and empathy — what Gil describes as “growing a garden of stories” that connect generations.
She facilitates workshops for families and educators that bring evidence-based learning principles into everyday interactions, helping parents turn bedtime stories into opportunities for deeper conversation about identity and belonging.
Gil’s broader vision involves growing what she calls her “Abuela Gigi” identity — a platform for cultural storytelling and family learning experiences that reaches beyond books into spaces where children and adults can learn and heal together. It’s an ambitious goal for a debut author, but one that reflects her dual identity as both grandmother and scholar — someone who understands that the best stories are the ones that help us understand ourselves.
