A little puppy named Misa has taken author Mireya Saldúa on a journey she never imagined, bringing literary recognition, new opportunities and the possibility of introducing her story to readers around the world.
“Receiving these awards means more to me than I can put into words,” Saldúa said. “As a Mexican American woman who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, I never imagined that a little puppy named Misa would take me on such an extraordinary journey.”
Saldúa’s bilingual children’s book, “Fun Day With Misa / Un día divertido con Misa,” published June 11, 2025, has received several honors in 2026, marking an exciting year for the author and her company, Come Along With Misa LLC.
The book earned two bronze medals at the 2026 International Latino Book Awards and eight honorable mentions at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. It also received a five-star review from Readers’ Favorite and Certified Great Read recognition from Reading With Your Kids.
The recognition extended beyond the book itself. Come Along With Misa LLC received a gold medal at the 2026 International Latino Book Awards for Best Website Promoting a Book.
Saldúa, who graduated from Saint Xavier University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and earned her MBA from the university in 1995, has maintained a connection to the Chicago area despite now living in Lenexa, Kansas.
Her return to SXU in October 2025 as a published author brought her back to a community that helped shape her life. During the university’s Homecoming festivities, she hosted a special reading of her first book, sharing the story with children and families in both English and Spanish.
The book follows Misa, a miniature Australian Shepherd puppy who is looking for something fun to do. When her parents are too busy to play, Misa is unsure whether spending time with Granny will be entertaining. She soon discovers that fun, love and adventure can come from unexpected places.
The story was inspired by the often-overlooked bond between children, pets and grandparents, as well as the importance of keeping an open mind.
Saldúa said she intentionally created the book in two languages to encourage language learning and celebrate cultural diversity.
“I created this bilingual book to celebrate family, love, kindness, and the importance of sharing stories across generations and cultures,” she said. “Knowing that Misa is reaching families and receiving recognition is incredibly meaningful.”
The book is geared toward children ages 4 to 8 and is designed to appeal to bilingual households, families who love animals and educators looking for engaging ways to introduce English and Spanish.
Saldúa’s growing audience has also created opportunities to take Misa beyond the pages of the book. She will attend the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico from Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, where she hopes to introduce Misa to international publishers and readers.
“Now, preparing to introduce Misa at the Guadalajara International Book Fair feels like another dream coming true,” Saldúa said.
The international event marks another milestone for Saldúa as she continues to build her publishing venture. She has already begun developing her second bilingual children’s book, “Misa Visits the Zoo / Misa Visita el Zoológico,” which will continue the adventures of the beloved puppy.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Misa has inspired a musical project. The song “Misa Misa Life Is Beautiful,” performed by artist Leddy Marie, was released and is available on streaming platforms.
Saldúa said the success of Misa represents more than a first book or a collection of awards. It is an opportunity to share her cultural background, bring families together and encourage others to pursue their own dreams.
“I hope my journey encourages others, especially those who are considering pursuing a dream later in life, to believe that it’s never too late to begin,” she said.