Melissa Villaseñor is launching a new series of children’s graphic novels.
Gloo Books will publish the first installment in the series, Cat and Lola: School Picture Day, illustrated by Jimena Sánchez Sarquiz, in the fall, the press announced in a news release. It calls the book “a laugh-out-loud early reader graphic novel about friendship and being yourself.”
Villaseñor was a stand-up comedian and voice actor before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2016; she became known for her impressions of celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Dolly Parton, and Celine Dion. She left the show in 2022 and has gone on to do voice acting in films including Ralph Breaks the Internet and Dog Man and television series such as Q-Force and Max & the Midknights. In 2022, she published a workbook, Whoops…I'm Awesome: A Workbook With Activities, Art, and Stories for Embracing Your Wonderfully Awesome Self.
Her new book will follow two best friends, Cat, a stylish “former social media petfluencer” who helps Lola, a free-spirited girl, find the perfect outfit for school picture day. “This standout early reader graphic novel is perfect for kids who love funny stories and characters who don’t always agree, but always care,” Gloo Books says.
Villaseñor said in a statement, “It's been a constant journey to keep being true to who I am and not get tangled with comparing myself to others. With Cat and Lola, I hopefully get to make kiddos laugh and embrace their quirks. It's about finding the friends in life that rejoice in who you are, love you for you and discovering how to love yourself.”
Cat and Lola: School Picture Day is scheduled for publication on Sept. 22.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
