Gabriela's first children’s book Carlitos el cobito quiere escuchar el mar (2022), illustrated by Paulina Sucre, was sponsored by SeaGrant Puerto Rico. Carlitos is a hermit crab that loves music, such as salsa and regetón, but also wants to go to the beach and listen to the ocean. The story follows Carlitos and his friends as they convince people to lower the volume of their music. The book won honorable mention in two categories of the Latino Book Awards 2022.

 

In 2023, commissioned by the Puerto Rico Science Trust, Gabriela worked with a multidisciplinary team to write two trauma informed children’s books: Lluyú and Los vejigantes valientes. She also wrote a companion exercise book for the stories. The Puerto Rico Science Trust later donated all three books to schools and community organizations in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

 

Lluyú, illustrated by Adriana Garcia, helps readers process their fear of extreme climate events (such as hurricanes and tropical storms) and how to deal with the situation assertively. Using fantasy and humor and representing the cultural diversity of Loiza, the readers of this book will meet Sofi, her family and friends and discover what she hides in her backpack.

 

Los vejigantes valientes, illustrated by Rosa Colón, follows the story of Paco and Tito as they face a gaggle of noisy monsters that won’t let them sleep. This story helps children confront their fear of different types of community violence and exemplifies tools that can help regain some control and security in difficult situations.

 

Gabriela’s first poetry book Ósea, was published by Luscinia C.E. in 2024. It is an exploration on the body, pain, loss, happiness and the human experience of disability.

 

She lives and writes in Puerto Rico.