Jeanette Gil, known to many as “Abuela Gigi,” is an award-winning children’s book author and educator who is redefining how storytelling supports learning, identity, and connection across generations.

Gil, founder of Zun Zun Press, didn’t set out just to write children’s books. She is building something more expansive: a connected literacy ecosystem that treats storytelling as both an art form and a meaningful, research-informed tool for helping children develop identity, resilience, and emotional awareness.

Award-winning children’s author, educator, learning experience designer, and doctoral candidate in Applied Learning Sciences, Jeanette Gil, shares the inspiration behind Aloe Vera’s Special Gift, a heart-centered picture book rooted in wellness, mindfulness, cultural storytelling, and intergenerational wisdom. Inspired by the symbolic healing properties of the aloe vera plant and the storytelling traditions passed down through family, the book encourages children to recognize their inner strength, embrace their uniqueness, and understand that sometimes the most beautiful gifts are found within.

In this Featured KidLit Q&A, Jeanette reflects on the emotional heart behind the story, the importance of resilience and self-worth in children’s literature, and how families and educators can use stories to spark meaningful conversations with children.​​