The Bilingual Book Buddies Podcast

What happens when two co-authors come together to bring a picture book to life?   Join the Bilingual Book Buddies as we chat with children’s book co-authors Silvia López and Susan Rose about creativity, collaboration, and the magic behind the pages. #BilingualBookBuddies #ChildrensBooks #KidLit#AuthorsAndIllustrators Contact Info: Instagram:  @susanroseauthor   Meet Your Hosts:   Alicia Salazar –...

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...

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, libraria...

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 t...

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 yoursel...

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...

In this heartwarming episode of  Bilingual Book Buddies , hosts Claudia Sloan and Silvia Lopez turn the spotlighton their very own co-host, Alicia Salazar, for a joyful and meaningful conversation about her upcoming picture book, Cascarones: An Easter Surprise. Together, they explore the cultural tradition of cascarones, the inspiration behind the story, and how celebration, family, and surprise c...

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 st...

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  multicu...

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 ep...

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 s...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 earn...

In this vibrant episode of  Bilingual Book Buddies ,we sit down with  Nomar Pérez —Pura Belpré Honor recipient,author-illustrator of  Coquí in the City , and the artistic talentbehind many beloved children’s books. Born in  Ponce, Puerto Rico , Nomar carries thevivid colors, sounds, and spirit of the island into every project he creates. After moving to the U.S. at age ten, his bicultural journey...

Episode 14: Finding Your Voice withNicholas Solis — Author of  The Littlest Grito   In this episode of  Bilingual Book Buddies , we chat with award-winning author and teacher  Nicholas Solis  about hisheartfelt picture book  The Littlest Grito —a joyful celebration of  Mexican Independence Day ,  family traditions , and  findingthe courage to speak up . Nicholas shares his journey as a longtime ed...

Episode 13: Celebrating Culture andConnection with Maritere Bellas  🌟 In this episode of  Bilingual Book Buddies , we sit down with award-winning author  Maritere Bellas , a passionate advocate for bilingualism, multicultural families, and storytelling that bridges generations. Join hosts  Alicia, Claudia, and Silvia  asthey chat with Maritere about her inspiring journey, the importance of raisin...

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome  GabrielaOrozco Belt  — a Costa Rican American children’s book author whose stories celebrate bicultural identity, bilingualism, and the power of representation. From her heartfelt debut  Only for a Little While  ( Por un ratito ) to joyful titles like  I Am, Yo Soy  and  Día de los Muertos ABC , Gabriela’s books reflect her passion for helping children see the...

New Episode of Bilingual Book Buddies! We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning author Gloria Amescua, whose picture books celebrate heritage, resilience, and the power of storytelling. In this episode, Gloria shares the inspiration behind her work, her journey as a bilingual writer, and the importance of giving young readers mirrors and windows through literature. Join us for a warm, inspiring con...

Join us on  Bilingual Book Buddies  as we sit down with acclaimed author-illustrator  Lulu Delacre . With over 40 books published, Lulu has spent her career celebrating Latino culture, heritage, and bilingual storytelling throughher unforgettable picture books and anthologies. In this episode, which is conducted in both English and Spanish,you’ll discover: How Lulu weaves Latin American songs, fol...

Join us on the  Bilingual Book Buddies Podcast  as we sit down with  Alda P. Dobbs , award-winning bilingual author of  Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna  and the upcoming picture book  The Giving Flower: The History of the Poinsettia (September release). In this inspiring conversation, Alda shares: Her journey from northern Mexico to San Antonio How her background in physics and engineering shapes he...

Darlene holds an  MFA in Creative Writing  from UTEP and a  BA in English  with a minor in medical studies fromUH. Her work goes far beyond her books — she has written  short stories for educational companies  likeAccelerate Education and Teacher Created Materials, and she collaborated with  Literary Safari  to create an original commissioned text for a  majoreducational publisher , set to release...

Welcome to Bilingual Book Buddies! Join hosts Alicia Salazar, Claudia Sloan, and Silvia López as they sit down with award-winning Brazilian-American author and educator Ana Siqueira. Ana shares her journey from teaching Spanish to writingbeloved children’s books like Bella’s Recipe for Success and If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja .   Discover how Ana’s multicultural experiences influence her storytel...

In this episode of  BilingualBook Buddies , we sit down with the incredibly talented illustrator  Olivia Sua ! Known forher textured, painted cut-paper style and heartfelt storytelling, Olivia bringsa rich cultural perspective to children's books, inspired by her Colombian andSouth African roots. We chat about her creative journey from the forests of North Bend,Washington to the world of award...