New Children’s Book Available from El Paso Author Phillip D. Cortez

El Paso, TX, August 26, 2015 --(PR.com)-- 1580 Publishing is proud to announce a new children’s book by El Paso author Phillip D. Cortez, focusing on teaching readers of all ages the importance of accepting other people – and even other creatures – that are different from us. Ava & the “Monsters” is Cortez’s third children’s book.

The story centers around Ava, a fourth grade student, who gets laughed at and ridiculed because she often lets her imagination run wild during those boring times at school (to the dismay of her teacher, Mr. Marley). As a result, the rest of the kids begin calling her “Far Away Ava.” When Ava is forced to go to detention after school, she encounters something extraordinary on her way home from school, something even her own wild imagination could make up.

This story very much began with my daughter’s infatuation with monsters when she about three,” Cortez says. “She saw a Halloween mask in her brother’s room and instead of being traumatized, she made up her own monster friends. It was just a matter of me putting it in writing and taking it from there.”

Cortez elicited the creativity of local students throughout El Paso during speaking engagements to get an idea of what a monster should look like. After a wide array of ideas and suggestions, Cortez stayed true to his “roots” and developed a species called the Wakala, who blend in with the natural desert landscape of West Texas.

The story is illustrated by Carizza Bognot Losbaños, her use of color and expression makes the story come to life; her simple and elegant style helps to convey an important message for readers of all ages.

Ava & the “Monsters” as well as Cortez’s other books can be purchased anywhere books are sold. For more information contact 1580 Publishing at support@1580publishing.com.