Airy Sindik

Airy Sindik has a bachelor's degree in sociology from UNAM and a master's in creative writing from the National University of Colombia. His thesis novel Without Air for the Return (Sin Aire para el Regreso) was published by the Guadalajara University Press, and his book My Grandmother and COVID-19 will be published in May 2022 by Arte Publico. He was recently chosen as a fellow at the Istanbul Fellowship. Airy has been invited to read Without Air for the Return at events and book fairs around the world. He has also given readings at the Embassy of Western Sahara in Mexico City and the Network of Embassies of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

ABUELA Y EL COVID/GRANDMA AND COVID (Children’s Picture Book, Published: Arte Publico Press)

A young boy’s grandmother lives far away, but they keep in touch using cell phones and other devices. She calls him every day, and they talk, play games and sometimes even sing songs. She sends him photos of her dogs, Ambar and Goliath, and he uses his dad’s phone to show her their house and send videos.

He always waits expectantly for her daily call, but one day he doesn’t hear from her. The next time they talk, she is wearing a mask that covers her nose and mouth. She said she wasn’t feeling well. A few days later on their video call, she wears a mask with a tube attached. His father explained the tube was connected to an oxygen tank to help her breathe. Then she stops calling altogether, and the boy is worried. Will he need to go rescue her?

This bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8 explores contemporary society’s reliance on cellular and digital devices in communicating with friends and family. Airy Sindik’s moving story, combined with Tony De Luz’s warm illustrations, also portrays the very serious issue of the Covid virus and its impact on loved ones, all seen through the eyes of an imaginative boy.

Rights Sold: World English
Rights Available: Translation
Agent: Zeynep Sen