A woman with curly dark hair and freckles, wearing a red jacket, standing outdoors among green foliage with sunlight in the background.

Bio

Hello!

Andrea grew up in the Great Plains of South Dakota, surrounded by grasslands, cornfields, and brothers. Raised on dirt bikes and homemade tortillas she lived life in-between as a mixed Mexican-American kid in the 80s Heartland. Today she tells stories about belonging, resilience, interconnectedness, family, ancestral lore, mischief and magic.

Andrea has woven storytelling through every chapter of her life—from making books in her basement and visiting the backyard bookmobile, to spending over 20 years in advertising and design across 7 cities and 3 countries. Currently based in Denver, she reconnects with her roots through children’s books alongside her work as a designer, librarian, and educator. When not working, she can still be found in her backyard, creating new stories to share in her casita estudio.


Her worlds are filled with vibrant colors, quirky characters, unapologetic misfits, and curious observers. Stories of wonder, mischief, warmth, joy, connection, and whimsy capture her heart.

DOWNLOAD PRESS KIT

For Publishing Inquiries
Please contact Adria Goetz at KT Literary

Say Hello!

Children’s Book Snail Mail:
Andrea Floren c/o KT Literary
9249 S. Broadway, #200-543
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

A young child with short brown hair, wearing a yellow crocheted dress with a bow at the neckline, smiling at the camera.

Fun
Facts

Birthday

August 14th, Dell Rapids, South Dakota!


Languages

English, Spanglish, Spanish (getting better each day) and un petit peu de français.


Pronouns

She / Her / Ella


Where have you lived?

South Dakota, Minneapolis, Mexico, Amsterdam, Chicago, Brooklyn, Oakland and Denver!

Favorite Color?

Ooo, that is tough. How about a few: neon pink, red-orange, marigold, olive, avocado, cobalt blue, terracotta, camel, lilac…

Favorite Animal?

Horse, Lion, Bear

Favorite Holiday?

Día de los Muertos

Favorite Season?

Fall + Spring

Favorite Mexican Food?

Pozole, or a simple bowl of frijoles de la olla.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere! The natural world, memories, art, music, movies. Alexander Girard & Calder, Frida Kahlo, Agnes Varda, Maira Kalman, The Goonies, Prince, Amelie, Once Upon a Time in the West, Audrey Hepburn, Sesame Street Vignettes, Small World, 80s Disneyland, dioramas, animatronics, Jim Henson, Jonathan Adler, Folk Art, Alan Fletcher, Richard Avedon, Ed Ruscha, Dolly Parton, Twin Peaks, West Side Story…

Favorite Books as a kid?

I loved to read. The bookmobile used to park at the end of our yard. I loved fables, William Steig, Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls Wilder, My Side of the Mountain, Where the Red Fern Grows, Corduroy, Ferdinand, Snowy Day, The Mitten, Strega Nona, Ox-Cart Man…


Favorite Books as an adult?

I read a lot of kids books! Some of my new favorites are: The Day You Begin, Watercress, anything by Vera Brosgol or Remy Lai, Sofia Valdez Future Prez, To The Other Side, Mexikid, The First Rule of Punk, The Last Cuentista, Red, White & Whole…I could go on and on. Some favorite grownup books: Grapes of Wrath, Interpreter of Maladies, Like Water for Chocolate, The Bean Trees, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Confederacy of Dunces…


Favorite Music?

I have pretty diverse taste. I bet I can find something I love in almost every music genre. I enjoy talking about music, books, art, movies, and traveling.


A Few of My Favorite Things?

Running my fingers through prairie grass, finding smooth skipping stones, listening to a babbling brook, the feel of ocean waves on my feet, the sound of a crackling fire, the sound of birds chirping, the smell of a new book, hugs from my boys, my kitty’s fur, singing when no one is listening.

Hobbies?

I took piano for 13 years and still play when I can, I love to read, write, draw, hike, walk, garden, practice my Spanish, take in art and music of all forms, hang out with my boys, my friends, dance, eat good food, daydream, and travel!!!

Fun Fact (old)

My great-uncle was a famous accordion player, and I used to play duets with him at family reunions.

Fun Fact (new)

When I worked in advertising, one of my first commercial shoots was a series of TV ads for the Cleveland Cavaliers, featuring their newest player, LeBron James.

Fun Fact (random)

In High School, I was the State Champ in the Prose category for Oral Interpretation. In my piece I played 4 young adult siblings, 3 boys and their sister (who was processing a traumatic experience).

Decorative shelves displaying various arts and crafts items including a green cactus-shaped sculpture, a brown wooden bowl, a small basket with pine cones, a clay sculpture of a snake, painted stones, and small figurines.
A white ceramic mug with a textured, wavy pattern on its exterior on a white surface. To the right, there is a decorative figure of a woman with a long dress, a bun hairstyle, and holding a yellow rose and some greenery. The background shows a bookshelf filled with colorful books.
Books and a puzzle in a white shelf, including a pink book with a black drawing, travel books, and a boxed puzzle titled 'House of Cards'.
A black metal and wood shelving unit with various decorative items including vases, figurines, and framed artwork. The top shelf has framed art with illustrations of women, and the shelves below contain pottery, sculptures, and small art pieces. The background is a plain wall.
A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a yellow top and a colorful necklace, stands on a cactus-shaped pedestal. She holds a branch in one hand and a pink flag with 'Hello!' in the other. The background features a stylized yellow sun with a face, along with abstract shapes and patterns.

PRESS & ART SHOWS

Denver Post: Denver Papier-Mâché Club – Group Exhibit

CPR News: Women of Color on the Frontlines – Group Exhibit

Westword: Artists for Immigrant Families – Group Fundraiser

Denver Post: A Reflection of Our Culture - GroupExhibit


ORGANIZATIONS

Las Musas – 2024 Debut Musa & 2020 Fall Hermana

SCBWI - Member, Rocky Mountain Region

Child girl standing in front of an upright piano, arms outstretched to the sides, wearing a colorful one-piece outfit, with a bandage on her left knee.
A young girl in a red sweater, plaid skirt, white socks, and brown shoes standing outside a house, holding a paper bag decorated with colorful paper cutouts of children and a red ribbon ornament, in front of a white door with brown siding.