Kidlit Latine Toolkit

Here are a couple of useful resources for Latine kidlit writers.

Lists of Latine Kidlit Authors and Illustrators:

I am constantly compiling a master list of Children´s Literature creators of Latine heritage. The original list started on Twitter but I have now moved over to Google Sheets. If you would like to be added to the list, please fill out this form. If you would like a copy of this document, please contact me.

Twitter lists of kidlit authors and illustrators by country.

Latine PB authors in Texas: also via Twitter lists

Organizations that focus on Latine and/in publishing:

Kidlit Latinx: A Facebook support group for Latinx Kid lit authors and illustrators (aspiring, pre-published, published). I co-run this group with the wonderful Adriana Bergstrom.

Las Musas : middle grade and YA author group. Mentorship info here.

Las Comadres para las Américas : nationwide group, holds monthly teleconferences with Latinx authors.

Hilo Colectivo : supporting bilingual stories by Latinx creators & host of La Hora Hilo program interviewing creators in Spanish on Youtube.

Latinx in KidLit : reviews of Latinx kid lit books and and interviews with their creators.

Dignidad Literaria : a network of committed Latinx authors formed to combat the invisibility of Latinx authors, editors and executives in the U.S. publishing industry

Latinx in Publishing : Check out the Resources page for tons of great information.

Reforma : The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking

Cantomundo: in support of Latinx poets

La Cometa: SCBWI en español newsletter for Spanish speakers

SCBWI en Español: Facebook page for SCBWI info in Spanish

Latine-focused book awards:

Great place to start if you’re looking for mentor text reading lists!

The America’s Award

The Pura Belpré Award

The Tomás Rivera Book Award

Premio Fundación Cuatro Gatos

Podcasts featuring Latine writers, artists and news:

Latino USA : fantastic radio show, in English, hosted by the inimitable Maria Hinojosa.

Radio Ambulante : stories from all over Latin America in Spanish.

Latina to Latina : interviews with awesome Latinas in English.

Note: I recognize that the majority of these are in English and produced in the US. Do you have any favorite podcasts coming out of Latin America? Please send recommendations my way!

Diverse voices within the Latine community:

Because “Latinx” (or latino/a, latine, whatever you want to call us) are not all the same. ¡Obvio! PLEASE email me if you know of other groups to showcase here!

Ain’t I Latina - a celebration of Afro-Latinas

Diversity in publishing organizations/resources:

We Need Diverse Books

The Voices of our Nations Arts Foundation

Literary Agents of Color

Diversity in Kidlit - A helpful list of links and organizations put together by Kid Lit 411. Lots of great stuff here.

Latinx in Publishing : Worth listing once more.

Language resources:

Word Reference : Please, por el amor de Dios, don’t use Google translate! Word Reference is a fantastic resource. Each entry includes multiple regional translations, compound forms (super helpful for when you’re translating phrases rather than loose words) and an extensive forum. There is also an audio option so you can hear what the word is supposed to sound like (mileage may vary depending on the accent you’d like to hear it in). Also available as an app.

Indigenous Language Learning Apps: Fantastic list compiled by Lindsay of Lindsay Does Languages

Asi Hablamos : Useful site for Spanish regionalisms (in my experience, a good 15% of Spanish words are innocuous in one region and totally filthy in another).

Lupa : Radio Ambulante’s new Spanish language learning app.

Duolinguo : Super popular language learning app.

News in Slow Spanish (Latino version): The name says it all. There is also a Spain version.