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Anna Orenstein Cardona

author | Financial Coach | EDUCATOR

Professional Bio - Long

Anna Orenstein-Cardona was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she worked for over two decades in finance in the U.S.A. and Europe, before turning to writing for children and launching her financial education business (Wear Your Money Crown®).

Anna is an alumna of Faber Academy and an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her debut picture book, The Tree Of Hope, is out on the 23rd of August 2022 with Beaming Books. 

In addition to teaching financial literacy and writing, Anna loves rescuing animals and hanging out with her two very special furbabies & her Southern Gentleman husband. 

Anna divides her time between London and Puerto Rico, where she visits with family and her childhood friend the jagüey blanco by the San Juan Gate. 

You can follow her on IG @wearyourmoneycrown, Twitter @BoricuaAnna, or learn more at http://www.annaorensteincardona.com/.

Professional Bio - Short

Anna Orenstein-Cardona was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she worked for over two decades in finance in the U.S.A. and Europe, before turning to writing for children. Anna is an alumna of Faber Academy and an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her debut picture book, The Tree Of Hope, is out on the 23rd of August 2022 with Beaming Books. You can follow her on IG @wearyourmoneycrown, Twitter @BoricuaAnna, or learn more at http://www.annaorensteincardona.com/.

book reviews

“The Tree of Hope is a delightful and moving tale, told with great charm and vigour. It’s message is – as the title suggests – one of hope, courage, resourcefulness, and endurance. The illustrations and text work beautifully together to tell and important and inspiring story.”

- Anthony McGowan

English Author & 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark

"...this meaningful story evades didacticism and links the tree’s resilience with the fortitude of Puerto Ricans determined to rebuild their lives. People are pictured with different skin tones, reflecting the diversity of Puerto Rico."

Kirkus Reviews

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"A powerful debut picture book about community, the determination of the Puerto Rican people, and a majestic and resilient tree. Purchase for all picture book collections."

- School Library Journal

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"Anna Orenstein-Cardona says in her author’s note that The Tree of Hope is a love letter to her treasured tree and to her people, and indeed it is. In fact, it is a song."

- terry jennings

Orenstein’s beautiful lyrical language brings the tree and the people of her beloved country to life. It relates the trials of her people and the iconic banyan tree during hurricane Maria and it shows that amid all that destruction, the tree and what the people of Puerto Rico did to save it are indeed a symbol of hope. Juan Manuel Moreno’s illustrations are a beautiful and loving portrayal of Puerto Rico. What a beautiful book.

Thanks to Anna Orenstein-Cardonna for sharing an arc of her book.

"It is not every day that one reads a picture book that makes one's eyes well up with tears. This book did that, in the best way possible."

- maria fitzgerald

"As a Honduran who knows all too well the devastating impact that hurricanes can leave behind, this story resonated with me on so many levels. But the most wonderful aspect of it was exactly what the title implies: its message of HOPE. As we've all seen in the last few years, humans are at their best when we come together in support of each other, in community, in peace. This story reminds us that when we choose to do good, and to do it together, anything is possible. What a beautiful, and incredibly true, story of resilience, unity, and esperanza! Highly recommend to all readers!"

"Stories like this about overcoming adversity, never giving up, resilience, and helping others rise above the challenges are truly inspiring and a valuable gift for young readers."


-Mariana Ríos Ramírez

"I consider that the author does a great job in making the reader connect with the events in the story in a very engaging and touching way. I can completely understand what it meant for the community to see it fall during the hurricane. There are scenes that are really moving. 

The way the story is told is clear, with easily understandable words and a nice rhythm. In addition to this, the illustrations are beautiful and work perfectly with the text. I loved them. I also liked reading the author's note and the "Behind the story" section."

book reviews

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