The Latinx Kidlit Book Festival Podcast

Is there a "universal" Spanish? Is there an audience in the USA for Spanish-only books published in America? When does blending Spanish and English work? Is it ever hindering or confusing? What about italics for Spanish in an English text? Is there a time that is best to do dual versions, rather than having a bilingual book? Bilingual authors Monica Brown (LOLA LEVINE IS NOT MEAN), Lulu Delacre (LUCI SOARS), Rene Colato Lainez (TELEGRAMAS), Mariana Llanos (EUNICE AND KATE) and Natalia Sylvester (RUNNING) will explore the questions and if the answers vary according to the book's audience.

Moderator: Monica Brown is the author of the Lola Levine middle grade series, named a Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Year.

From el Cucuy to La Llorona and every scary, spine-tingling creature in between, authors  Ann Davila Cardinal (FIVE MIDNIGHTS), Lily Anderson (UNDEAD GIRL GANG), William Alexander (A PROPERLY UNHAUNTED PLACE),  Sara Faring (THE TENTH GIRL) and Cynthia Palayo (SANTA MUERTE) create the kind of exciting, creepy, disturbing horror stories that make you go running to your mamá! Join them on this fun panel discussing latinx twists, myths and monstruos—if you dare!

Moderated by: Ann Dávila Cardinal is the author of the young adult novel Category Five, an International Latino Book Award for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure.

These bilingual illustrators use their skills to battle each other on the drawing board. Viewers get to submit prompts and vote for their favorites. With Paola Escobar (QUEEN OF TEJANO MUSIC: SELENA), Flavia Z. Drago (GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST) and Mirelle Ortega (PEPE AND THE PARADE).

Moderator: Isabella Benavides is the host of the YouTube book boggling channel Throne of Pages.

Discover a new wave of Latinx talent! Meet debut authors Aaron Aceves (THIS IS WHY THEY HATE US), Olivia Abtahi (PERFECTLY PARVIN), Daniel Aleman (INDIVISIBLE), Emery Lee (MEET CUTE DIARY) and Alda P Dobbs (BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA). This group of 2021 and 2022 debut authors discusses how young readers can explore their own identities through the power of story. Using Rudine Sims Bishop’s powerful essay titled “Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors” these authors explore how kidlit books can be a means of self-exploration, growth and affirmation.

Moderator: Aaron Aceves is the author of the young adult novel This Is Why They Hate Us.

Join authors Aida Salazar (LAND OF CRANES), Yuyi Morales (DREAMERS), Francisco Stork (ILLEGAL), Alexandra Diaz (SANTIAGO'S ROAD HOME) and Reyna Grande (THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US) in a conversation about the multiple immigration kidlit stories that emerge from the borderland regions of the U.S. and Mexico. The authors will delve into what it means to migrate, to cross borders whether they be physical, linguistic, or imaginary, and what that says about immigrant survival, resilience, and resistance.

Moderator: Aida Salazar is the author of The Moon Within, an International Latino Book Award Winner. She is also an arts activist and founding member of Las Musas Books.

Authors Nikki Barthelmess (QUIET NO MORE), Margarita Engle (WITH A STAR IN MY HAND), Autumn Krause (A DRESS FOR THE WICKED), Torrey Maldonado (WHAT LANE?) and Eric Smith (DON'T READ THE COMMENTS) discuss the complicated journey of understanding their Latinx identity when being multiracial or coming from a multicultural heritage and why it is vital for young readers to see that reality—and that joy!—represented in literature.

Moderator: Nikki Barthelmess is the author of the young adult novels The Quiet You Carry, Quiet No More and Everything Within And In Between.

Join National Book Award Finalist and New York Times best-selling author Ibi Zoboi as she talks about books, race and Haitian culture. Zoboi’s novel American Street is a National Book Award Finalist. Most recently, her novel Punching The Air, co-written with Yusef Salaam, was a New York Times bestseller. Zoboi will be taking questions submitted from kids around the country.

Moderator: Maritza Moulite is the author of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine, co-written with her sister Maika Moulite. Their new novel One of the Good Ones, is available in January.

Join award-winning and New York Times best-selling author Meg Medina as she talks about the adventure of growing up and discusses the powerful themes in her books. Medina is the author of multiple picture books, middle grade and young adult novels. Her young adult novel Burn Baby Burn was long-listed for the 2016 National Book Award. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, also a young adult title, won the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award. Her middle grade novel, Merci Suárez Changes Gears is a 2019 John Newbery Medal winner. Her picture book Mango, Abuela, and Me is a 2016 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book. Medina will be taking questions submitted from kids around the country and from the live audience.

Moderator: Isabel Quintero, author of Gaby a Girl in Pieces, winner of the 2015 Morris Award for Debut YA Fiction

Join National Medal of Arts recipient, Julia Alvarez for a discussion centered around her new picture book Already a Butterfly. Alvarez will talk about her meditation practice which inspired the book and her work with the Mariposa Foundation. In the second half, she will be joined by Already a Butterfly award-winning illustrator Raúl Colón.

Moderator: Anika Aldamuy Denise is the author of Planting Stories, The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, a 2020 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book

Join National Book Award winner and New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Acevedo as she talks books and poetry. Acevedo will be reading one of her poems and taking questions submitted from kids around the country and from the live audience. Acevedo is the author of The Poet X, which won the National Book Award in 2018. Her young adult novels With the Fire on High and Clap When You Land are both New York Times bestsellers.

Moderator: Alfredo Celedón Luján, President of The National Council of Teachers of English. Luján is dean of students and teacher of English and study skills at Monte del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Luján was awarded the NCTE Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award for his contributions to the Council.