Pownal Street Press is thrilled to announce the November 2026 release of Corn & Tortillas: Love Shared, the debut picture book from author Cynthia Jolly Stobbe and illustrator Job Martínez
Corn & Tortillas: Love Shared
ISBN:9781997918127
$24.95 CAD | Hardback
Release Date: November 3, 2026
In this heartwarming children’s picture book, Ana Lucia and her little brother Manuel delight in their love of family and tortillas while their Chiichi takes joy in sharing the richness of her Maya culture and traditions. Together they embrace the importance of heritage, generational connection, and the love that is shared through the process of making tortillas. This story celebrates the love that binds us all through the joy of cooking and moments spent together.
Encouraging families to bring the story to life, Corn & Tortillas includes a simple tortilla recipe that readers can make at home in their own kitchens. This story invites all families to reflect and explore their own cultural roots and the beauty that comes from sharing traditions, both new and old.
“It’s been a pleasure to bring Corn and Tortillas to life. The book is very special to us and we can’t wait to see it in print”
—Genevieve Loughlin, Publisher, Pownal Street Press
Corn and Tortillas was submitted in our Spring 2025 call for submissions. Gen and Mo read the manuscript and saw the concept art and immediately fell in love with it. It is one of those stories that stays with you, not because it is flashy or loud, but because it feels deeply lived-in. Gentle. True. It is the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story, it holds memories.
They knew PSP had to find a way to bring this book into the world so they embarked into the unknown and launched PSP’s first ever Kickstarter to pay for the print run. The resulting campaign ended up being 104% funded. The generosity from the community and beyond blew them away.
About the Author
Cynthia Jolly Stobbe has over 30 years of experience as an early educator and mentor. As a person of colour, she is dedicated to promoting diversity in classrooms and children’s books, and believes that every child should see themselves represented in the stories they read. Cynthia is a proud mom who loves reading and teaching family yoga. She divides her time between Mérida, Mexico, and Edmonton, Canada, with her husband and their rescue dog, Canela.
About the Illustrator
Job Martínez is an artist and illustrator from Progreso, Mexico, whose work is deeply inspired by the rhythm of everyday life. Family, nature, and faith in God shape his perspective and guide his creative voice. Through his art, Job seeks to tell meaningful stories rooted in the colors, traditions, and landscapes of Yucatán. His work reflects not only his artistic passion but also a deep connection to his cultural heritage.
Pownal Street Press is PEI’s newest publishing house. Women-owned and women-led, friendly, warm and professional: We exist to give rise to brave stories, and to be a light for community and connection. With distribution through Raincoast Books (Canada) and Orca Books (US), Pownal Street Press’ titles have national reach but local heart. For more information about the Press and its books, please visit: www.pownalstreetpress.com.