Mexico: Save the Axolotl | Lena Novikaya
Mexico: Save the Axolotl โ€” Book Cover

Picture Book

โญ Featured Project

Eco Mission. Mexico
Mission: Save the Axolotls

A narrative nonfiction picture book.

Picture Book (32 pages)
Narrative Non-fiction
Ages 4โ€“8
Ecology ยท Culture ยท Adventure
Xochimilco, Mexico
Author & Illustrator

Overview

Purple axolotl illustration

Eco Mission: Mexico. Mission: Save the Axolotls is a narrative non-fiction picture book that takes young readers on an adventure through Mexico's landscapes, culture, and wildlife. Guided by a mysterious ancient amulet, three children travel across the country in search of its missing fragments. Along the way, they discover floating gardens, ancient traditions, remarkable biodiversity, and one of Mexico's most extraordinary native animals โ€” the axolotl. Blending storytelling with factual discovery, the book encourages curiosity, observation, and care for the natural world.

The Story Behind It

Meet the Axolotl โ€” field notes illustration

I have always been fascinated by books that inspire children to become explorers of the real world. With this project, I wanted to move beyond presenting facts and create an adventure where every landscape, tradition, and discovery becomes part of the story itself. Mexico offered the perfect setting โ€” a country where biodiversity, history, and living traditions are deeply connected, and where I found endless inspiration as an author-illustrator drawn to stories at the intersection of nature and culture.

What I Explored

  • Narrative non-fiction for picture books
  • Environmental storytelling
  • Mexican culture, history, and biodiversity
  • Research-driven worldbuilding
  • Character-led educational adventure
  • Balancing factual content with emotional storytelling

Selected Artwork

Selected spreads and illustrations from the project.

Status:

Full dummy available upon request. Currently seeking literary representation and publishing opportunities.

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