The Latinx Kidlit Book Festival Podcast

What’s the difference between writing a young adult novel versus a middle grade? How easy is it to hop over into picture books and chapter books? Join NoNieqa Ramos (They Thought They Buried Us), Laekan Zea Kemp (Desert Song), Monica Brown (Doña Fela's Dream), and Ismée Williams (Abuelo, the Sea, and Me) as they talk about how they explored different age categories and what challenges came with writing for each audience.

Sponsored by SCBWI.

Losing loved ones is a universal experience–even for kids. Join Racquel Marie (This Is Me Trying), Juan Vidal (A Second Chance on Earth), Ashley Jean Granillo (Cruzita and the Mariacheros), and Cindy L. Rodriguez (Lola Reyes is So Not Worried) as they discuss the reality of loss and how their stories explore the ups and downs of grief.

Join authors Francisco Stork (One Last Chance to Live) and Monica Mancillas (Sing it Like Celia) for a craft workshop as they discuss how to empower and give agency to readers while exploring tough topics in literature. Bring your notebook or laptop and come ready to write!

Get ready to Jaja and Haha during this read aloud filled with humor and joy! Join Justin Colón (Impossible Possums), Joaquin Camp (Aldo: Ghost Dog), Nathalie Alonso (Old Clothes For Dinner?!), and Carlos Matias (Emergency Quarters) for an interactive reading session that’ll have you grinning throughout!

Think you know your books? Accept our brain-teasing emoji challenge alongside Laura Taylor Namey (With Love, Echo Park), Elle Gonzalez Rose (10 Things I Hate About Prom), Julian Randall (The Chainbreakers), and Angela Montoya (A Cruel Thirst) and see if you can guess the titles of classic and popular books, based only on a handful of emojis as clues!

Myths, legends and monsters, OH MY! Books about mysterious beings and powerful rulers have grabbed the reader's attention since the beginning of time. Join our modern-day storytellers for a discussion of their favorite fantastical literary creatures and characters. Featuring Kaela Rivera (Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas), Jorge Aguirre (Monster Locker), Brigid Martin (Totally Popular), and Karla Valenti (The Wrath of the Rain God, Lola).

Join these award-winning and debut picture book authors for an interactive read aloud in both English and Spanish for bilingual story time! Grab a pillow and a blanket and snuggle in! Featuring: Angie Cruz (Angélica and la Güira /Angélica y la güira), René Colato Laínez (Let's Play in the Park / Juguemos en el Parque), Lourdes Heuer (Teeny Tiendas: The Flower Shop / La Florería), and Paola Santos (How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se Come un Mango).

In this groundbreaking William C. Morris Award winner, Gabi’s life is a mess—her family, her friends, her attempts at a love life—but writing helps, especially since it turns out she’s pretty good at poetry. Ten years later, this coming-of-age story with a hilarious Latina protagonist continues to resonate with young people, even while facing continual intellectual freedom challenges. Hear from author Isabel

Join these award-winning and debut picture book authors for an interactive read aloud celebrating multigenerational connections! Grab a pillow and a blanket and snuggle in! Featuring Arlene Abundis (Into the Mighty Sea), Mariana Ríos Ramírez (Abuelita's Gift: A Día de Muertos Story), Nydia Armendia-Sánchez (Not Far From Here), and Gabriella Aldeman (Squawk of Spanish).

Join authors Jennifer Torres (Vega’s Piece of the Sky) and Alexandra Alessandri (Grow Up, Lucky Zapata)