Our Story
Tía de los Muertos is created by a real family team — born from curiosity, cultural research, and the desire to make culture feel close instead of out of reach.
Tía de los Muertos is created by a real family team. Sister-and-brother authors Jasmine Proaño and Raffi Frensley created Tía together, combining their backgrounds in marketing, storytelling, and education with their own experience of growing up Mexican American and wanting to better understand parts of their culture that sometimes felt just out of reach.
The world of Tía is brought to life by illustrator Fraser Ward, whose artwork gives the characters their warmth, humor, personality, and sense of adventure.
At its heart, Tía is a human-made project shaped by family conversations, curiosity, cultural research, creativity, and care. Jasmine, Raffi, and Fraser want children and grown-ups to feel that there are real people behind every story, illustration, song, and activity — people who are learning, asking questions, and exploring alongside them.
We do not believe culture is something that should feel distant, intimidating, or reserved for people who already know all the answers. Tía is our invitation to learn together, share what we discover, and keep the conversation going from one generation to the next.
The Journey
Key moments that shaped Tía de los Muertos.
Early Travels & Studies
Marisol journeys across Mexico — from the pyramids of Teotihuacan to the jungles of Chiapas — studying ancient civilizations, wildlife, and the living traditions of family and celebration.
Stories Connect Generations
Sitting with families during Día de Muertos, Marisol discovers that every family has a story worth sharing — and that remembering loved ones is a gift, not a sadness.
The Birth of Tía Marisol
Inspired by the magic she witnessed, Marisol creates Tía de los Muertos — a magical spirit guide who helps children explore culture, language, and family connection through adventure.
The First Book Launches
The Ofrenda Adventure debuts — the first of many stories that bring Mexican and Latin American traditions to children through wonder, music, and the people who love them most.
From Explorer to Magical Guide
Today, Tía Marisol is a magical spirit guide between worlds — with purple hair, a skirt that flows like papel picado, and a tiny rhyming skull hairclip named Cali. She arrives when families need her most, helping children discover the world through stories, songs, and cultural adventures that honor heritage and build bridges — because the best way to learn is through wonder, music, and the people who love you most.
Meet the People Behind the Magic
The creators bringing Tía's adventures to life — storytellers, musicians, and educators who believe every child deserves to see their culture celebrated.
Meet the Creators