Author Diana Rojas will share her debut novel, Litany of Saints: A Triptych, with a series of events this summer. Save a date to meet her and get an autographed copy of this compelling collection of stories that explores issues experienced by immigrants, including a divided sense of identity. “Three stories offer an intriguing look into the lives of Costa Rican characters—Ticos—as they deal with their roles in their families and society. Rojas weaves expertly between distinct stories and families, creating a network of Costa Rican experience that is equally loving and critical. She shows her readers that no homeland is perfect—not even “paradise.” An engrossing debut that sees both the good and bad sides of Costa Rica.” —Kirkus ReviewsMark your calendarThursday, May 23, 20247:00pm Lost City of Books2467 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009Saturday, june 1, 20245:00pm Politics and Prose at Union Market1324 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002Wednesday, …
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
The Boy Who Touched the Stars El niño que alcanzó las estrellas e-Book PDF Tip SheetFrom Farmworker to Astronaut De campesino a astronauta e-Book PDF Tip SheetAgua, Agüita Water, Little Water e-Book PDF Tip SheetFuego, Fueguito Fire, Little Fire e-Book PDF Tip SheetTierra, Tierrita Earth, Little Earth e-Book PDF Tip SheetViento, Vientito Wind, Little Wind e-Book PDF Tip SheetMy Shoes and I Mis zapatos y yo e-Book PDF Tip SheetEl niño de maíz The Boy of Maize e-Book PDF Tip SheetGrandma’s Hair Is Ankle Lenght El cabello de Abuela le llega hasta los tobillos e-Book PDF Tip SheetPedro and the Monster Eaters Pedro y los devoradores de monstruos e-Book PDF Tip SheetDalia’s Wondrous Hair El cabello maravilloso de Dalia e-Book PDF Tip SheetThe Runaway Piggy El cochinito fugitivo e-Book PDF Tip SheetThe Golden Flower e-Book PDF Tip SheetLa flor de oro e-Book PDF Tip SheetLetters from Heaven Cartas del cielo …
Children’s Book Awards Support Latino Kids and Authors
HOUSTON, TX—Generations of Hispanic children in US schools had to do without books reflecting their culture and heritage. In 2021, according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 311 of the 3,183 children’s books published were written by Latinos (9.8%); only 234 were about Latinos (7.35%). To fill that gap, Arte Público Press is accepting children’s book manuscripts to be considered for two awards: the Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature and The Reyes-Olivas Award for Best First Book of Latino Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Both seek to stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that authentically and realistically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. In addition to the publication of the book and royalties from sales, the winning authors will receive a $5,000 prize. …
Explore Afro-latino literature
Islands Apart: Becoming Dominican-American (2022) By Jasminne Mendez ISBN 978-1-55885-944-9 Trade paperback, $14.95 In this memoir for teens about growing up Afro Latina in the Deep South, Jasminne writes about feeling torn between her Dominican, Spanish-speaking culture at home and the American, English-speaking one around her. She desperately wanted to fit in, to be seen as American, and she realized early on that language mattered. Josefina’s Habichuelas / Las habichuelas de Josefina (2021) By Jasminne Mendez ISBN 978-1-55885-923-4 Trade paperback, $18.95 This heart-warming, bilingual picture book for children shares a universal story all kids can relate to—learning about one’s culture through food, music and family stories—while focusing on a cultural tradition specific to the Dominican Republic. When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia bailaba bomba (2019) By Raquel Ortiz with illustrations by Flor de Vita ISBN 978-1-55885-886-2 Hardcover, $18.95 Introducing children—and adults!—to the Afro-Latino tradition of bomba music and …
Holiday Closure
Arte Público Press and the Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Project will be closed Monday, December 26, 2022, through Friday, December 30, 2022. We will re-open and resume normal operations on Monday, January 2, 2023. Please continue to send book orders by email (bkorders@uh.edu). Orders will be processed in the order received. Happy holidays!
Love in the Time of Covid: New Award Honors Picture Book about Family, Technology and the Pandemic
HOUSTON, TX—A bilingual picture book that explores intergenerational family relationships, technology and Covid, Abuela y covid / Grandma and Covid by Airy Sindik (ISBN 978-1-55885-955-5, hardcover, $18.95), is the winner of the inaugural REYES-OLIVAS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF LATINO CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE. The award was presented to Sindik at Arte Público Press’ 40th anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 15, 2022. THE REYES-OLIVAS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF LATINO CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE seeks to stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that realistically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. In addition to the publication of the book and royalties from sales, Sindik received a $5,000 prize. Funding for the award was provided by long-time Arte Público Press supporters and University of Houston …
Award Recognizes Book About Perseverance and Family Heritage
HOUSTON, TX— Jasminne Mendez’s new picture book, Josefina’s Habichuelas / Las habichuelas de Josefina (ISBN 978-1-55885-923-4, hardcover, $18.95), has been awarded the Writers’ League of Texas 2022 Discovery Prize. Established in 1991, the Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards recognize the year’s outstanding books published by Texas authors. The Discovery Prize honors books with fresh perspectives and outstanding narratives to bring recognition to new voices. Young Josefina loves sweets and eats plenty of cookies, cupcakes and candy, until one day her mother suggests they refrain from eating sugar for 40 days and 40 nights in preparation for Easter Sunday. In exchange, her mom promises to teach her how to make habichuelas con dulce, or sweet cream beans, her family’s traditional dessert. Josefina reluctantly agrees, and struggles to keep her promise while her friends continue to eat their favorite sweets at school. When she and her mom, tías and abuela finally …
A Sweet Tradition: Children’s Book Celebrating Mexican Birthdays Wins Prize
HOUSTON, TX—A bilingual picture book about a Mexican birthday celebration, El cumpleaños de mi hermana Dulce / My Sister Dulce’s Birthday by Erika Said (ISBN 978-1-55885-954-8, hardcover, $18.95), is the winner of the 2022 Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s Literature. Published October 31, 2022, this joyful story depicting two girls’ excitement as they prepare for a birthday party is sure to inspire kids’ plans for their own birthday celebrations. In 2019, according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 225 of the 4,029 children’s books published were written by Latinos; only 235 were about Latinos. The SALINAS DE ALBA AWARD seeks to stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that realistically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. In addition to the publication of the book and …
Enjoy this recap of Arte Público Press’ 40th Anniversary Celebration!
Attendees at the welcome tableAuthor and astronaut, José M. HernándezUH Mariachi PumasDr. Blas Canedo-González and Alejandro Magallón, Houston Grand Opera Solero Flamenco dancersFrom left to right: Jessica Rossman, Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, Rolando Maldonado, MD.Picture book loversAttendees at the wine tableAuthor Erika Said, winner of the Salinas de Alba Award for Latino Children’s LiteratureSambabom dancersFrom left to right: Geraldina Interiano Wise, Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, Nellie González, Mikaela Selley, Miriam Maldonado, Dra. Carolina Villarroel, Marina Tristán, Jesús González, Julia Dávila, Rosanna Moreno, Dr. Lorena Gauthereau Attendees at the receptionFrom left to right: Dr. Suresh Khator, Associate Dean of UH Cullen College of Engineering; Dr. Renu Khator, President of the University of Houston; Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, Director of Arte Público PressAuthor Airy Sindik, winner of the Reyes-Olivas Award for the First Book of Latino Children’s and Young Adult LiteratureCecilia Duarte (singer) and Ana María Otamendi (piano), ROCO40th Anniversary in the News Arte Público …
