Las Musas, a collective of writers, held its first celebration of Latinx children's literature in December in a two-day, virtual festival featuring more than 140 authors and illustrators.
Organizers say they created the event to amplify their voices — and to help counter statistics: The Cooperative Children's Book Center found that only 479 of the 4,035 children's books published in 2019 were by or about Latinx people, who make up 18% of the country's population.
"Unfortunately, Latinx representation in kids' books is abysmally low," says Mayra Cuevas, a Las Musas organizer, CNN Worldwide producer and author of YA book Salty, Bitter, Sweet. "And that is something that we are working with the industry and with publishers to fix.
Cuevas says representation in children's literature matters. "It's a way for kids to see themselves, to see their lives and their experiences validated."
This year, the country's biggest publishing houses were called out for underrepresenting Latinx voices. Some have begun diversity initiatives, and many were sponsors of the Latinx KidLit Festival. Cuevas says the virtual gathering was inspired by the Everywhere Book Fest, which took place in May, after the coronavirus pandemic shut down live events.
"All of our book tours were canceled. Also, people in our communities were hurting. Teachers were hurting. We know that the Black and Latinx communities were the hardest hit from from the pandemic," Cuevas says. "So we really felt like this is a way in which we could bring some joy to our community, doing what we do best — you know, tell stories."
During the festival, writers and illustrators answered questions from children around the world.
"What inspires you to write?" one child asked.
"Tell us about your character," said another.
"How long does it usually take you to write a book?" queried more than a few.
In one panel, Mexican writer and illustrator Flavia Zorrilla Drago talked about her first picture book, Gustavo The Shy Ghost. "I like to draw monsters, ghosts and witches," she said. "Everything that is scary and weird. I love that."
In another session, National Medal of Arts winner Julia Alvarez spoke about what motivates her to write. "I see the faces of those kids at the border, looking up in terror, being wrenched from their parents," she said. "And it puts — we have a wonderful word in Spanish — an inquietud: a pebble in my shoe. It just keeps rattling in there until I shake it out on paper."
During the festival, there were panels on serious themes in Latinx children's literature. For example: "Stronger Together: Social Justice in Young Adult Literature," "The Culture of Machismo and Toxic Masculinity," and "Fronteralands: Immigrant Stories about the U.S.-Mexico border." In other sessions, authors talked about writing horror stories, magical realism, Latinx culture and identity, and fighting anti-Blackness, racism and colorism.
There was also fun — a children's concert by 123 Andres, dance classes from the Ballet Hispanico, cooking lessons, and a sketching contest in which book illustrators were asked to draw mythical alebrije creatures. There was storytelling — and even a poetry slam.
The Latinx Kidlit Festival is on YouTube, and there's a website filled with resources for educators and young readers.
Katie Abreu, a student at The Young Women's Leadership School of the Bronx, for example, had the chance to ask a question of author Elizabeth Acevedo.
"It made me feel like I'm a proud Puerto Rican, and I should be a proud Dominican," says Abreu. "Elizabeth made me feel like it is important for me to let it be out there and let it be known. "
That's exactly the kind of reaction Las Musas hoped for.
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