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

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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!