Local Story - Menifee retired law enforcement officer begins new chapter as children’s author

Nopi’s Big Journey: Discovering Mexico invites young readers to discover the joy of reading, exploring new places and going on adventures.

MENIFEE, Calif. — Sept. 3, 2026 — After more than 30 years serving the Los Angeles community in law enforcement, Menifee resident Marco Jimenez is starting a very different chapter — as a children’s book author.

Jimenez is the creator of Nopi, the lovable and adventurous cactus at the heart of Nopi’s Big Journey: Discovering Mexico, a children’s book created to encourage kids to read, explore and discover the world around them.

With his signature red bandana, backpack and adventurous personality, Nopi was created to be more than just a children’s book character. Jimenez hopes Nopi will inspire children and families to see reading as the beginning of an adventure.

“I created Nopi because I want children to know that you don’t need a plane, a train or even a suitcase to discover the world,” Jimenez said. “Sometimes all you need is a book, a little imagination and the curiosity to wonder what’s out there.”

Nopi’s Big Journey: Discovering Mexico follows a curious little cactus as he sets off on an adventure through the colorful sights, sounds and traditions of Mexico. Along the way, Nopi discovers that every new place has something wonderful to teach us — and that curiosity can take us farther than we ever imagined.

But Nopi’s journey isn’t stopping with the pages of the book.

Through Nopi Journey, Jimenez continues to build Nopi’sworld and share his adventures with families and young readers. His vision is to create a character children can grow with while encouraging curiosity, imagination, reading and a love for discovering new places and cultures.

For Jimenez, seeing an idea transform into a published children’s book has been an adventure of its own.

“Nopi started as an idea and a little character I believed in,” Jimenez said. “Seeing him become a real book that children can hold in their hands is something I’ll never forget.”

Nopi’s Big Journey: Discovering Mexico is currently available in paperback and hardcover through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book retailers.

About the Author

Marco Jimenez lives in Menifee, California, and is a retired law enforcement officer who spent more than three decades serving the Los Angeles community. Inspired by his love of Mexico, its rich culture and history, and his own family experiences, Jimenez turned to children’s books as a way to share that sense of discovery with a new generation.

He created Nopi to encourage young readers to be curious about the world around them and to discover that sometimes the greatest journeys can begin simply by opening a book.

About Nopi Journey

Nopi Journey follows the adventures of Nopi, a cheerful cactus with a love for exploring, reading and discovering what comes next. Through books, stories and adventures, Nopi encourages children to stay curious, learn about the world around them and remember that every journey can begin with a story.

Media Contact

Andres Aguirre
Email: Andres.aguirre05@gmail.com
Phone: 714-319-8676
Website: nopiadventures.com
Instagram: @Nopisjourney
Facebook: Nopi’s Adventures

Book Information

Title: Nopi’s Big Journey: Discovering Mexico
Author: Marco Jimenez
Formats: Paperback and Hardcover