The Bilingual Book Buddies Podcast

Episode 28: A Conversation with Cynthia De La Torre

Welcome back to Bilingual Book Buddies,the podcast where we celebrate children's books, literacy, and the incredible creators behind them. Today we're delighted to welcome Cynthia De La Torre—author,illustrator, and cut-paper artist whose beautifully crafted picture books explore themes of self-acceptance, belonging, and embracing our differences. Her distinctive artwork and heartfelt storytelling have captivated young readers and families alike, and we're excited to learn more about her creativeprocess, her artistic journey, and the inspiration behind her newest book. Cynthia, thank you so much for joining us. We're thrilledto have you on BilingualBook Buddies! Contact Info: Website: https://cynthiadelatorre.com/ [https://cynthiadelatorre.com/] Instagram: @CynthiaGDeLaTorre   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 [https://alicia-salazar.com/] Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author [https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSalazarAuthor/] 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 [https://www.claudia-sloan.com/] Instagram: @claudia.sloan [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/] Instagram: @silvialopezbooks [https://www.instagram.com/silvialopezbooks/] Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes [https://www.facebook.com/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 26: A Conversation with Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Director and Publisher of Árte Público Press

Episode 26 of Bilingual Book Buddies is here! In this episode of Bilingual Book Buddies, we welcome Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Director and Publisher at Arte Público Press and Piñata Books. Join us as Gabriela shares insightsinto publishing, championing diverse voices, and the importance of culturally authentic stories for young readers. A must-listen conversation for writers, educators, librarians, and book lovers. #BilingualBookBuddies #ArtePublicoPress #PinataBooks#ChildrensBooks #DiverseBooks #LatinxLiterature #KidLit Contact: Email: gbventura@uh.edu     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 [https://alicia-salazar.com/] Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author [https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSalazarAuthor/] 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 [https://www.claudia-sloan.com/] Instagram: @claudia.sloan [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/] Instagram: @silvialopezbooks [https://www.instagram.com/silvialopezbooks/] Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes [https://www.facebook.com/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 25: A Conversation with Federica Miross

In Episode 25 of Bilingual Book Buddies, we chat with children’s author Federica Miross about writing stories that inspire imagination, courage, perseverance, and adventure acrosslanguages and cultures. Originally from Mexico and now living in northern Germany, Federica shares her journey as a multilingual children’s author, the heart behind her storytelling, and her passion for creating books that encourage children to dream big. We also discuss:  Writing and publishing bilingual and multilingual books  The inspiration behind her books.  Why children’s literature holds both “magic and wisdom”  The importance of making books accessible to children across Latin America If you love children’s books, bilingual storytelling, and conversations about creativity and imagination, this episode is for you! Listen now and subscribe to BilingualBook Buddies for more conversations with authors, illustrators, and creators in the world of children’s literature. #BilingualBookBuddies#ChildrensBooks #KidLit #BilingualBooks #SpanishBooks #PictureBooks#FedericaMiross #LatinxKidLit #ChildrensBookAuthor #KidLitPodcast   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 [https://alicia-salazar.com/] Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author [https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSalazarAuthor/] 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 [https://www.claudia-sloan.com/] Instagram: @claudia.sloan [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/] Instagram: @silvialopezbooks [https://www.instagram.com/silvialopezbooks/] Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes [https://www.facebook.com/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 24: The Power of Storytelling with David Bowles

Episode 24 of Bilingual Book Buddies is here! Today on Bilingual Book Buddies, we’re joined by the incredible David Bowles — award-winning author, translator, and storyteller whose work celebrates culture, language, history, and imagination. In this episode, we talk about:   The power of storytelling across cultures   Writing for bilingual and bicultural kids   The importance of seeing yourself in books   David’s journey as an author and translator Whether you’re a teacher, parent, librarian, writer, or book lover, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and inspiration. Listen now and discover why stories matter so deeply. #BilingualBookBuddies #DavidBowles #ChildrensBooks #KidLit#BilingualBooks #LatinxBooks #ReadingCommunity #Authors #BooksForKids#DiverseBooks #BookPodcast #Literacy #Teachers #Librarians   Contact the guest: ·  Website: davidbowles.us [https://davidbowles.us/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ·  Email:: bowlesdo@gmail.com ·  Instagram/X (Twitter): @DavidOBowles  ·  Facebook: David Bowles Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/david.oscar.bowles/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ·  Bluesky: @davidbowles.us on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/davidbowles.us?utm_source=chatgpt.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 [https://alicia-salazar.com/] Facebook: Alicia Salazar Author [https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSalazarAuthor/] 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 [https://www.claudia-sloan.com/] Instagram: @claudia.sloan [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/] Instagram: @silvialopezbooks [https://www.instagram.com/silvialopezbooks/] Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes [https://www.facebook.com/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 23: Frienship and Compassion with Gama Valle and Mrinali Alvarez Astacio

In Episode 23, we’re joined by two incredible creators behind the bilingual picture book Kindness Glows in the Dark / La bondad brilla en la oscuridad—author Gama Valle and illustrator Mrinali Álvarez Astacio. Gama Valle is a Puerto Rican children’s author whose storytelling is inspired by his childhood, nature, and the spirit of generosity he experienced growing up. His work shines a light on Puerto Rico’s culture, communities, and the power ofkindness.  Mrinali Álvarez Astacio is an award-winning Puerto Rican author-illustrator with over 15 years of experience creating children’s books. With a PhD in children’s book illustration, her work blends art, culture, and imagination—inviting youngreaders to dream while exploring their heritage.  Together, they’ve created a heartfelt bilingual story that explores friendship, compassion, and important social themes like food insecurity—presented in a way that is accessible and hopeful for young readers.  Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or lover of children’s literature, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen now and join us in celebrating bilingual books and the creators behind them! #BilingualBooks#ChildrensBooks #LatinxAuthors #PictureBooks #BilingualBookBuddies #KidLit#RepresentationMatters   Contact the guests: Gama Valle Instagram: @gamavalle Threads: @gamavalle   Mrinali Alvarez Astacio Instagram: @mrinalipr X: @mrinalipr     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 [https://alicia-salazar.com/] Facebook: AliciaSalazar Author [https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSalazarAuthor/] 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 [https://www.claudia-sloan.com/] Instagram: @claudia.sloan [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/] Instagram: @silvialopezbooks [https://www.instagram.com/silvialopezbooks/] Facebook: Silvia.Lopez.Writes [https://www.facebook.com/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!