A Picture Book Series
Stories that explore how cultures help children talk about love, memory, and belonging.
Inspired by our family's journey from South Africa to Mexico City, the Gil & Pol series explores traditions that connect generations across worlds.
Our family name, León, means lion. Gil and Pol's adventures travel the world, but their story always begins at home.
Wherever Gil and Pol go — from the golden savanna of Africa to the marigold-lit streets of Mexico — Felix and Victor, their guardian brothers, are never far. Their rainbow paws appear quietly — always close, always watching over them.
About the Author
I'm Helga Similon — a Belgian author living in Mexico City with my husband and our two sons.
The Gil & Pol series began as a deeply personal project, shaped by our family's journey across three continents — from Belgium to South Africa, and from South Africa to Mexico City. Along the way, we discovered traditions that opened new ways to talk about love, memory, and the people who matter most to us. Those discoveries became the heartbeat of these books.
Each story follows two lion brothers discovering how different cultures celebrate connection, belonging, and the ways the people we love stay with us. Our family name, León, means lion — and our boys were born in South Africa. These stories were always going to begin with them.
At the heart of every story are Felix and Victor — Gil and Pol's older brothers, and our first sons. They are the invisible thread that runs through the series: the reason it began, and the reason it continues.
What started as something written for our family slowly became a hope that these stories might help other families too — to talk about love, loss, and the people who stay with us even when they are no longer beside us.
Created with care as a project of the heart.
The Heart of Every Story
Felix and Victor were Helga and Javier's twin boys, born still in England. They are the invisible heart of every story — the older brothers whose rainbow paws appear when needed, who cross bridges of light, who never truly leave.
Gil and Pol, their younger brothers, are growing up knowing they have two big brothers watching over them.
These books are the story of that knowing.
FOR GIL, POL, FELIX & VICTOR — MY HEART IN FOUR NAMES.
The Series
and the Rainbow Roar
Meet Gil and Pol, two curious young lion brothers growing up in the heart of the African savanna, where every day brings a new adventure — and new challenges to face.
A giraffe is searching for the perfect birthday leaves. An elephant is stuck in the waterhole. A young warthog is caught in a trap and cannot free himself.
Just when things seem too big to face alone, something magical happens. From the sky appear Felix and Victor — their brave big brothers, the heroes of Team ViLix.
Together, the four brothers discover something extraordinary: together, they are stronger than they ever believed.
A heartwarming story about courage, family, and the invisible bonds that never break — filled with adventure, wonder, and the quiet magic of knowing you are never alone.
Written by Helga Similon & Ramona Cels · Illustrated by De Kwekerij
Created as a private family edition in October 2025 to honor Felix and Victor's tenth year. Full trade publication rights are currently available.
and the Marigold Bridge
On Día de los Muertos, a glowing bridge of cempasúchil flowers appears in the sky — and for one extraordinary day, Felix and Victor cross back to be with their brothers.
As the plaza fills with candlelight and music, the four lions walk among families reunited. When a butterfly cannot find her place in the sea of orange light, when an iguana searches for mango slices prepared just as he remembers, and when a jaguar listens for the sound of his granddaughter's guitar, the brothers come together — paws touching, circle formed — to help each one find their way.
In the warmth of marigolds and memory, Gil and Pol discover that love does not disappear. It changes form — and it always finds its way back.
Complete at under 1,000 words · Ages 4–8 · Manuscript available upon request.
Written by Helga Similon · Illustrated by De Kwekerij
Cover illustration by De Kwekerij · Full dummy in progress.
Get in Touch
Gil & Pol is a picture book series following two lion brothers as they discover traditions that help families talk about love, memory, and belonging.
Designed to grow across multiple books, each story explores a different cultural setting while remaining grounded in family, connection, and remembrance.
Currently available for representation:
Gil & Pol in Mexico and the Marigold Bridge
Complete at under 1,000 words · Ages 4–8
Full manuscript, series overview, and sample illustrations available upon request.
Created with care as a project of the heart.
