Stephanie Seales is the California-born daughter of Panamanian immigrants. She's also a storyteller, dreamer, doer, and children’s book expert who’s worked in nearly every aspect of the field. She understands the power of story and follows Toni Morrison’s advice, writing the books she wants to read. She dreams and creates with her magical canine companion, Pan, near the water in the Hudson Valley, NY.

Praise for MY DADDY IS A COWBOY by Stephanie Seales and illustrated by C. G. Esperanza

A 2024 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Named a Best Picture Book of 2024 by the Chicago Public Library

"[Q]uiet yet energetic...Vibrant colors and abstract design embellishments convey the immense pleasure and freedom felt by both father and child as they connect over horseback riding. A magical celebration of family, freedom, and Black joy."―Kirkus (starred)

"Together, the creators expertly capture the open feel of early morning alongside the beauty of one-on-one time in this visually immersive story about a child whose 'Daddy is a cowboy....And so am I.'"―Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Saddle up for the absolute joyride...Through a seamless melding of lyrical text and high-spirited full-bleed illustrations...A blue-ribbon pick for both story time and home use, sure to delight cowboys both real and imagined."—Booklist (starred)

“There is so much to love about My Daddy Is a Cowboy, a gorgeous book...Readers can look at their faces and call to mind someone they love dearly, remembering all the times they shared together over something special and intimate—something for ‘just us’. This book hits all the high points of Black cowboy culture and will be a must-have on the shelf.”—BookPage (starred)

"[A] wonderful example of a narrative about a family doing interesting things together in their community. The Afro-Panamanian community ties are evident and will provide opportunities for some readers to compare and contrast this experience to their own...This is a lovely depiction of a parent sharing their culture with their child in a way that will feel refreshingly new and happily familiar."—School Library Journal (starred)

"This atmospheric picture book...celebrates a close bond between a father and daughter as well as contemporary Black cowboys...Esperanza’s vibrant, detailed oil-paint illustrations feature boldly colored backgrounds that infuse even the pre-sunrise scenes with energy...Seales showcases the respect the two have for horses and their love for each other."—Horn Book Review (starred)