An open book resting on a surface, with several cockroaches and a small yellow insect on and around it. A floral patterned piece of paper is partly visible in the background.

Gold crown surrounded by various insects, including ladybugs and beetles, placed on open pages of a botanical book with illustrations of flowers and leaves.

Open book with illustrations of beetles on handwritten text pages, surrounded by a glass vase with white flowers and a decorative metal bowl.

Open book with text, illustrations, and drawings of bees and a flower, surrounded by real bees and a pink rose on a wooden surface.

Open book with illustrations of flowers and insects, including beetles, with shadows cast by sunlight.

Close-up of a magazine open to a page with botanical illustrations and text, covered by various beetles and insects.

Open book with images and text, chest and beetle illustrations, three green beetles on pages, glass vase with green plants in the background.

An open book with illustrations and text, placed on a floral-printed fabric surface. Four beetles are on the pages, and there are dried plants and shadows on the scene.

Get a deeper segment of author Esme’s personal life. Opening to a world of compelling details about her history, inspiration, and outcome.

Explore Collections from The Archive

The roots of where she’s come from, the reason why she’s a writer. Gathered here are the files, photographs, and stories of the Benoit & Prescod Family. Where we’re making a series of art accessible to everyone and will be adding more details and photos as new items become available.

Maria Elena Monraz Preciado 3/12/19 Maria Elena Monraz Preciado 3/12/19

Family

The girl from the Caribbean, part of the West Indian diaspora, carries a rich familial history that deeply shapes her storytelling. Her narratives are infused with the legacy and lived experiences of her ancestors, highlighting the profound influence of her cultural and family background.