Episode 22 of Bilingual Book Buddies is here!

In this episode, we sit down with author Karol Hernández to talk about her vibrant debut picture book, I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes—a joyful celebration of community, culture, and connection.

Karol shares how her childhood in Colombia, memories of her family’s market, and a sweet moment with her son during the pandemic inspired this story. What began as a story just for him became a beautiful book that now invites children everywhere to experience the rhythm, color, and heart of the Andes.

We also talk about:

Writing from memory and cultural roots

Bringing authentic Latin American experiences to young readers

The real-life inspiration behind the iconic “chiva” bus

The power of storytelling to build connection and belonging

This is a conversation full of warmth, heritage, and the magic of stories that travel across languages and generations.

Tune in and take a ride on La Chiva with us!

#BilingualBookBuddies #ChildrensBooks #LatinxAuthors #PictureBooks #DualLanguage #KidLit #IAmLaChiva

Connect with Karol Hernandez:

Instagram: @karolitadotcom

Facebook: KarolitaDotCom

X (Twitter): ⁨@karolitadotcom⁩

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar –

Mexican American children’s author and former elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan –

Mexican American artist, author, and illustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!.

Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López –

Cuban American author and former children’s librarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.comInstagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated to celebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode features conversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes!

In this episode of Bilingual Book Buddies, hosts Claudia, Silvia, and Alicia sit down with Stephanie Moran Reed, co-founder of MiJa Books, to talk about the power of representation in children’s literature.

Stephanie shares the story behind MiJa Books—how the search for books that reflected her daughter’s identity inspired her to create a bookstore and book fair company dedicated to multicultural and multilingual children’s books. We explore how inclusive stories help young readers see themselves in the pages of a book and why access to diverse literature matters in classrooms, libraries, and homes.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
• The origin story of MiJa Books
• Why representation in children’s literature matters
• How multicultural book fairs connect young readers with diverse stories
• Advice for authors and educators working to bring inclusive books to children

If you love children’s books, literacy, and diverse storytelling, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to Bilingual Book Buddies forconversations with authors, educators, and literacy advocates working to bring more stories to more readers.

#BilingualBooks #ChildrensBooks #DiverseBooks #KidLit#Literacy #BookFairs #MulticulturalBooks #BilingualBookBuddies

Social media/Contact

Instagram: @smoranreed

Facebook: @stephmreed

Linkedin: @smoranreed

Email: info@mijabooks.com

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – Mexican American children’s author andformer elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia SalazarAuthor

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican American artist, author, andillustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – Cuban American author and former children’slibrarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated tocelebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell tostay updated on future episodes!

In this special celebration of Read Across America, Claudia Sloan, Silvia Lopez, and I are sharing the bilingual picture books that have shaped us—books that reflect our languages, our cultures, and the children we once were.

As bilingual authors and advocates for children’s literature, we know how powerful it is when a child opens a book and sees their world honored in two languages. In this episode, weeach bring a few titles that are especially meaningful to us and talk about why bilingual and dual-language books matter—not just during Read Across America, but all year long.

Whether you’re a teacher building a classroom library, a parent raising bilingual readers, or simply someone who loves picture books, this episode is full of heart, memories, andrecommendations you’ll want to add to your shelves.

Let us know in the comments:
What bilingual picture book is special to you?

Subscribe for more conversations celebratingchildren’s literature, language, and the stories that connect us.

#ReadAcrossAmerica #BilingualBooks #DualLanguage#PictureBooks #ChildrensLiterature #BilingualBookBuddies

Books discussed:

Claudia Sloan

¡Vamos! Let'sCross the Bridge (Pura Belpré Award winner) by Raul the Third; colors by Elaine Bay

Pase lo que pase mañana/ Whatever Comes Tomorrow by Rebecca Gardyn Levington; illustrated by Mariona Cabassa

¡Mira, abuela! Look,Grandma! Ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson; illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight; translated to Spanish by Carlos E. Calvo

Silvia Lopez

Just Shine! by SoniaSotomayor, illus. Jacqueline Alcántara

A Girl Named Rosita/UnaNiña Llamada Rosita by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illus. Leo Espinosa

Rainbow Weaver/Tejedoradel Arcoiris by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illus. Elisa Chavarri

Alicia Salazar

Maria the Matador byAnne Lambelet

The Story of Ferdinandby Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, Translated by Pura Belpré

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – MexicanAmerican children’s author and former elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: AliciaSalazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican Americanartist, author, and illustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – CubanAmerican author and former children’s librarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated tocelebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell tostay updated on future episodes!

Episode 19 | Bilingual Book Buddies Podcast
Featuring Children’s Author Haydée Zayas Ramos

In this episode of Bilingual Book Buddies, we are delighted to welcome children’s author and reading promoter Haydée Zayas Ramos from Puerto Rico.

Haydée shares her journey as a storyteller, her passion for promoting literacy, and the heart behind her picture books, including La jirafa que no cabía en su cuento and Los tres Reyes Magos y sus calzoncillos de colores. As a certified promotora de lectura, she brings deep insight into the importance of culturally rich, engaging stories for young readers.

Join us as we talk about:
The power of bilingual and culturally rooted storytelling
Encouraging a love of reading in children
Her creative process as a children’s author

If you are a parent, teacher, librarian, or lover of children’s literature, this conversation will inspire you.

Learn more about Haydée Zayas Ramos:
Website: https://www.haydeezayas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydeezayasramos

**********

Episodio 19 | Podcast Bilingual Book Buddies
Con la autora infantil Haydée Zayas Ramos

En este episodio de Bilingual Book Buddies, nos acompaña la autora infantil y promotora de lectura Haydée Zayas Ramos, desde Puerto Rico.

Haydée comparte su trayectoria como escritora, su pasión por fomentar la lectura y la inspiración detrás de sus libros, entre ellos La jirafa que no cabía en su cuento y Los tres Reyes Magos y sus calzoncillos de colores.

Como promotora de lectura certificada, aporta una visión profunda sobre la importancia de ofrecer a la niñez historias culturalmente significativas y atractivas.

Acompáñanos mientras conversamos sobre:
El poder de la literatura bilingüe y culturalmente arraigada
Cómo fomentar el amor por la lectura en la niñez
Su proceso creativo como autora infantil

Si eres madre, padre, docente, bibliotecario/a o amante de la literatura infantil, esta conversación te inspirará.

Conoce más sobre Haydée Zayas Ramos:
Sitio web: https://www.haydeezayas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydeezayasramos

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – Mexican American children’s author andformer elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia SalazarAuthor

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican American artist, author, andillustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – Cuban American author and former children’slibrarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated to celebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell tostay updated on future episodes!

In this episode of Bilingual Book Buddies, we sit down with award-winning children’s author and teacher-librarian JoleneGutiérrez to talk about inclusive storytelling, family collaboration, and creating books that help children feel seen and understood.

Jolene shares insights from her powerful and joyful booksincluding Mamiachi and Me, The Ofrenda That We Built, Too Much! An Overwhelming Day, and Unbreakable,and discusses how her work with neurodivergent learners and her own family inspires her stories.

We explore:
Writing culturally rich children’s books
Representing sensory and emotional experiences
Celebrating family traditions like mariachi and Día de los Muertos.

Whether you're an educator, librarian, parent, or fellow children's author, this conversation is full of heart, inspiration, and practical wisdom.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support bilingualand inclusive literacy!

#BilingualBookBuddies #JoleneGutierrez #ChildrensBooks#InclusiveLiterature #KidLit #PictureBooks #BilingualBooks #DiverseBooks#TeacherLibrarian #AuthorsOfYouTube #KidsBooksPodcast #LiteracyMatters#StorytellingForKids

Social media

Instagram: @writerjolene — https://www.instagram.com/writerjolene/

Twitter/X: @writerjolene — https://twitter.com/writerjolene

Facebook: Author Jolene Gutiérrez page — https://www.facebook.com/writerjolene

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – Mexican American children’s author andformer elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican American artist, author, andillustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – Cuban American author and former children’slibrarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated tocelebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribeand hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes!

This week on BilingualBook Buddies

We’re thrilled to welcome Mirelle Ortega,award-winning author, illustrator, and artist, to the podcast!

In this episode, Mirelle talks about her journey fromgrowing up near her family’s pineapple farm in Mexico to creating luminous, culturally rooted picture books. We dive into her Pura Belpré Honor–winning debut, Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land, a story about transformation, creativity, and finding wonder in everyday life. We also discuss River of Mariposas, inspired by her memories of butterfly migrations and the beauty that can emerge when plans change.

Mirelle shares insights into her illustration process, herwork in animation, and how Latin American culture and magical realism shape her storytelling. This is a heartfelt conversation about art, resilience, and creating books that reflect children’s lived experiences.

Listen now to this inspiring episode of Bilingual Book Buddies
Perfect for educators, parents,librarians, writers, and anyone who loves bilingual and culturally rich children’s books.

Contact info:

Website: www.mirelleortega.com

Instagram: @msmirelle

X: @moxvi_

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – Mexican American children’s author andformer elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican American artist, author, andillustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – Cuban American author and former children’slibrarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight culturalheritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated tocelebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell tostay updated on future episodes!

Christmas and New Year's Special

Grab a cozy blanket and join us for a festive Christmas Special of Bilingual Book Buddies! In this holiday episode, your co-hosts Alicia Salazar, Claudia Sloan, and Silvia López each share their favorite Christmas-themed bilingual (English–Spanish) children’s books, perfect for classrooms, libraries, and family read-alouds.

From heartwarming stories to joyful traditions, we’ll highlight books that celebrate language, culture, and the magic of the season—plus we’ll sprinkle in extra bilingual holiday book recommendations you won’t want to miss!

Whether you’re a teacher, librarian, parent, or book lover looking to add meaningful bilingual stories to your holiday reading list, this episode is for you.

¡Acompáñanos para celebrar la Navidad con libros bilingües que unen lenguas, culturas y corazones!Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a fellow book lover.

#BilingualBookBuddies #BilingualBooks #ChristmasBooks #HolidayReadAlouds #DualLanguageBooks #LatinxLit #ChildrensBooks #Navidad

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar –

Mexican American children’s author and former elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Alicia crafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan –

Mexican American artist, author, and illustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischief and We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López –

Cuban American author and former children’s librarian.

Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling of an Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight cultural heritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated to celebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode features conversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringing bilingual books to life. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes!

In this episode, we welcome Paola Santos, Venezuelan-born children’s author and creator of the acclaimed picture book How to Eat a Mango, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Paola shares the deeply personal memories that inspired her debut—sun-soaked childhood days in Venezuela, the wisdom of her grandmother,and the simple ritual of eating a mango with all five senses.

How to Eat a Mango has earned multiple starred reviews (Kirkus, PW, SLJ, BookPage) and is available in both English and Spanish (Cómo se come un mango). Perfect for readers who love lyrical storytelling, family traditions, and rich cultural themes.

Subscribe for more conversations with the authors shaping today’s dual-language kidlit world!

Bilingual Book Buddies —where stories connect us across languages and cultures.

Contact the Author:

Email: contact@paolasantos.com

Instagram: @pgsantosb

Meet Your Hosts:

Alicia Salazar – Mexican American children’s author andformer elementary school teacher. Author of the Camila the Star series, Aliciacrafts stories that empower young readers.

Website: alicia-salazar.com

Facebook: AliciaSalazar Author

Instagram: @albricias123

Claudia Sloan – Mexican American artist, author, andillustrator known for her whimsical children’s books like Grey Ghost Mischiefand We Are The Valley!. Claudia’s work celebrates Latinx culture and wellness.

Website: claudia-sloan.com

Instagram: @claudia.sloan

Silvia López – Cuban American author and former children’slibrarian. Silvia’s books, including Uno Más, One More: A Latino Retelling ofan Old Scottish Ballad, and Queen of Tejano Music: Selena, highlight culturalheritage and diversity.

Website: silvialopezbooks.com

Instagram: @silvialopezbooks

Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes

About Bilingual Book Buddies:

Bilingual Book Buddies is a podcast dedicated tocelebrating bilingual children’s literature. Each episode featuresconversations with authors, illustrators, and many others involved in bringingbilingual books to life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell tostay updated on future episodes!