The Latinx Kidlit Book Festival Podcast

Authors Ana Siquiera (BELLA’S RECIPE FOR DISASTER/SUCCESS), Alexandra Alessandri (FELIZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA!), Zara González Hoang (A NEW KIND OF WILD), Jacqueline Alcántara (JUMP AT THE SUN) and Laurenne Sala (YOU MADE ME A DAD), discuss the full range of emotions represented in their picture books, from pure joy and celebration, to trepidation and fear, and ultimately triumph. Although short in length, picture books celebrate the full range of complex emotions we experience growing up.

Moderator: Laurenne Sala is the author of the picture books You Made Me a Mother and You Made Me a Dad.

A world in turmoil can drastically affect teens, especially when they feel disempowered to create change. Authors Jennifer De Leon (DON'T ASK ME WHEN I’M FROM), Yamile Saied Méndez (FURIA), Lilliam Rivera (NEVER LOOK BACK), Lucas Rocha (WHERE WE GO FROM HERE) and Jenny Torres Sanchez (WE ARE NOT FROM HERE) write about social justice issues that teens are passionate about with candor and heart. Through these books, teens can find their own voices and the courage to take a stand—knowing they are not alone in the fight for a better world.

Moderator: Jennifer De Leon is the author of the young adult novel Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From and the editor of Wise Latinas.

Join Mexican illustrators Ana Aranda (THE CHUPACABRA ATE THE CANDELABRA), Paulina Suarez (NI UN PELO DE TONTO), Tania de Regil (A NEW HOME) as they talk about books, stories and drawing while creating fun alebrijes — Mexican folk art of fantastical creatures. They will discuss where their inspiration comes from, why they create books and why they find it important to talk about their Mexican and Latinx heritage. This is a bilingual panel (English and Spanish). Panelists will be taking your live prompts and questions.

Moderator: Karla Valenti is the author of the My Super Science Heroes picture book series, including Marie Curie and the Power of Persistence and Alan Turing and the Power of Curiosity.

Fiction has the unique power of intertwining harsh realities of our world with one’s own imagination, only limited by our own ideas of what’s possible. Whether through UFOs, uninvented technologies, or the inspiration of folklore, authors Amparo Ortiz (BLAZEWRATH GAMES), Romina Garber (LOBIZONA), Raquel Vasquez Gilliand (SIA MARTINEZ AND THE MOONLIT BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING), Paola Mendoza (SANCTUARY) and Alexandra Villasante (THE GRIEF KEEPER), have taken the immigrant experience and melded not-so-contemporary facets into their stories, creating beautifully and tragically unique perspectives on an issue that resonates deeply within the Latinx community.

Moderated by: Amparo Ortiz is the author of the young adult novel Blazewrath Games and the middle grade graphic novel Saving Chupe.

Middle grade authors Emma Otheguy (A SLED FOR GABO) Chantel Acevedo (MUSE SQUAD), Reina Luz Alegre (THE DREAM WEAVER), Adrianna Cuevas (THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF NESTOR LOPEZ) and Donna Barba Higuera (LUPE WONG WON’T DANCE) talk about happiness and hope in Latinx middle grade novels. Fun with friends, special family moments and first crushes! Mischief, magic and more! Join them in finding joy in all the awkwardness of middle school.

Moderator: Emma Otheguy is the author of the picture books Martí’s Song for Freedom and A Sled for Gabo, the middle-grade novel Silver Meadows and The Madre de Aguas of Cuba (Summer Unicorn Rescue Society).

Join writer of the America Chavez comics, Gabby Rivera for a conversation on comic books, their potential for storytelling, and their appeal and importance, especially when it comes to young readers and, even more so, marginalized young readers who often don’t see themselves as the superhero of stories. Gabby Rivera is the first Latina to write for Marvel Comics, penning the solo series America about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse. Rivera is also the author of the critically acclaimed debut novel for young adults Juliet Takes a Breath.

Moderator: Breena Nunez is a cartoonist whose work has appeared in The New Yorker: Daily Shouts and The Nib, as well as anthologies like Tales From La Vida: A Latinx Comics Anthology, Drawing Power (Eisner Nominated), and Be Gay, Do Comics!

Books and stories are powerful weapons in the fight against racism, anti-Blackness and colorism in our communities. Stories allow us to identify how we are perpetuating racism and anti-Blackness, while also learning new ways to understand and combat these issues within ourselves. Panel features authors Hilda Burgos (ANA MARÍA REYES DOES NOT LIVE IN A CASTLE), Jasminne Mendez (JOSEFINA’S HABICHUELAS), Maika Moulite (ONE OF THE GOOD ONES) and Sofia Quintero (SHOW AND PROVE) .

Moderator: NoNieqa Ramos is the author of The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary, a 2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens. She is also an educator and literary activist.

Being Latinx and anywhere within the LGBTQIA+ spectrums brings its own set of unique circumstances, often shaped by gendered language, heteronormative cultural norms, and deeply held religious teachings. Especially growing up, we can often feel the conflict between tradition and expectation against the pull of our heart and soul toward happiness,seeing and being seen as our complete selves. How do our experiences walking within these intersectional identities shape the stories we tell and what meaning do these identities carry across genres? Hear from authors Jonny Garza Villa (FIFTEEN HUNDRED MILES FROM THE SUN),  Anna-Marie McLemore (DARK AND DEEPEST RED), Tehlor Kay Mejia (WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE), Mark Oshiro (EACH OF US A DESERT). Laura Pohl (THE LAST 8) and Aiden Thomas (CEMETERY BOYS) on creating these powerful novels, and  what shapes their stories, their characters, and their hopes for young LGBTQ+ readers who come across their writing.

Moderator: Jonny Garza Villa is the young adult author of Fifteen Hundred Miles From The Sun.

It's the Latinx poets battle of the ages! Where the winner takes home full bragging rights. Experience performance poetry from some of the masters in Latinx kidlit. Their spoken word poems will energize and invigorate the poet within you. Poets Amyra Leon, Elisabet Velasquez and José Olivarez will be reciting poems and answering questions.

Moderator: Lorian Tu is the illustrator of multiple books for children, including the upcoming picture book Dress Like a Girl.

Discover a new wave of Latinx talent! Meet debut authors Racquel Marie (OPHELIA AFTER ALL),

Crystal Maldonado (FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA),  Kaela Rivera (CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS),  Estelí Meza (FINDING HOME) and Monica Gomez-Hira (ONCE UPON A QUINCEAÑERA). This group of 2021 and 2022 debut authors discusses how young readers can use books to connect with communities, cultures and ethnicities outside their own as a way to increase empathy, compassion and understanding.

Moderator: Racquel Marie is the author of the young adult novel Ophelia After All. She is also the host of the YouTube book boggling channel Blonde With A Book.