Select Latino/a Illustrators and Authors of Children’s & Young Adult Literature

Alma Flor Ada has written many novels, picturebooks, and collections about Latino children. http://www.almaflorada.com/.

Julia Alvarez, a Dominican American author and literature professor, was primarily a writer of adult fiction and poetry until 2000 when she began writing fiction books for older children. http://www.juliaalvarez.com/.

Information on Latino Illustrator Robert Casilla and examples of his art: http://robertcasilla.com/.

Veronica Chambers, an author from Panama, considers herself a secret Latina. She appears to be African American and growing up she felt alienated in the Latino community because of her physical appearance. Chambers has written numerous adult books and in the late 1990s began writing children’s books about her Latino roots. http://www.veronicachambers.com/.

Lulu Delacre, a Latina children’s author/illustrator born in Puerto Rico, began writing and illustrating children’s books in the late 1980s. Delacre strongly believes that Latino children should encounter themselves and their heritage in the books they read. More information can be found at: http://luludelacre.com/index.htm.

Information on Latina Illustrator Maya Christiana Gonzalez’s artwork and children’s books: http://www.mayagonzalez.com/.

Susan Guevara’s art has received many awards including Pura Belpré Award, the Américas Award, the Américas Commended, and the Tómas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award. http://www.susanguevara.com/.

Marisa Montes, a Puerto Rican American author and Writing Professor, has published several beginner chapter books about the Puerto Rican American culture. She created the Get Ready For Gabi series which is about a middle-class, third-grade, Puerto Rican American girl and the daily challenges she faces at school and growing up in the U.S. Gabi has been compared as a Latina Junie B. Jones. More information on Montes can be found at: http://www.marisamontes.com/.

Pat Mora, a Latina poet and children’s book author, has written many books for children with Latino characters. Mora is an advocate for Latino Children’s Literacy and creator of El día de los niños/El día de los libros. http://patmora.com/.

Yuyi Morales is an Latina artist, writer, puppet maker, and Brazilian folk dancer who grew up in Mexico. For more information on Morales, visit: http://www.yuyimorales.com/.

José-Luis Orozco, a native of Mexico City, has created thirteen collections of children’s songs, games, and rhymes available in song book, cassette, or CD formats. Three of his collections (De Colores, Diez Deditos, and Fiestas) have been illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Orozco’s music collections are available at http://www.joseluisorozco.com/.

Pam Muñoz Ryan, a writer and educator of both Mexican and Spanish descent, has created a variety of books on many different topics including Mexican Americans. For more on Ryan, consult: http://www.pammunozryan.com/.

Esmeralda Santiago, a Puerto Rican American author, has written numerous teen novels recounting her experiences growing up in the U.S. as a newly arrived immigrant from Puerto Rico. Santiago has also edited two collections of Latino/a memoirs. For more on Santiago, consult: http://www.esmeraldasantiago.net/.

Simón Silva, a Chicano artist, spent much of his childhood working in the fields with other immigrant children. His vibrant gouache illustrations depict the everyday experiences of Latino farmers in the United States. His art has recieved the Pura Belpré Honor Award and the Américas Commended. http://www.simonsilva.com/.

Gary Soto is one of the few Mexican American authors who write for children, young adults, and adults. He is the most well-known Chicano author for children and has published more than 20 picturebooks about the Latino culture. Information on Soto is available at: http://garysoto.com/ .