Latino Voices in Children’s Literature

Writing Contest Winners

Sponsored by Con Todo Press and Free Spirit Publishing, the Latino Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest aims to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children’s stories written by and about Latino people. Every entry is considered for publication and three cash prizes are awarded.

Contest Page

Current Winners

1st Place

My Mother Is a Bridge by Maria Kim

My mother is a bridge
a puente spanning miles
from snow powdered city streets
to brilliant bustling mercados
crossing countries y culturas.

In this lyrical concept picture book for ages 4–8, a first-generation Hispanic girl explores the numerous ways her mother bridges the cultural divide between her home in the United States, her roots in Mexico, and the strength their connection brings to her and her family.

Maria Kim is a first generation Mexican-American author. She grew up in a biracial home and has spent her life traversing between her family in the United States and her family in Mexico. She discovered a love for poetry in high school and enjoys weaving aspects of her cultural heritage into her writing. As a former English teacher and librarian, she has a passion for discovering books that help students feel connected and understood. Her goal is to write tales that make readers laugh, cry, learn, reflect, and feel inspired to find their voice and share stories of their own.

2nd Place

Grandma Olivia’s Magical Soup Pot by Rachel Garcia

Grandma Olivia laughed and pulled the little girl close. “Every soup has its own magic, mija. Some soups heal. Some soups comfort. And some soups fill your heart with joy.”

The little girl’s eyes widened. “Magic? Really?”

“Si, si!” said Grandma. “Let me show you.”

Grandma Olivia’s Magical Soup Pot is a picture book for children ages 4–8 that celebrates family, food, culture, and identity. Through the relationship between a little girl and her grandma, the story explores cooking and the love that transforms what seems like a simple pot of soup into something magical.

Rachel Garcia is a Latina educator from Los Angeles with a deep passion for food and the stories it tells. She has a master’s degree in Food Studies. In her research, she explored how food shapes identity and connects people across generations. She specifically studied Latin American women authors and how they used the kitchen to reclaim their identities.

3rd Place

Even Luchadores Cry by Linda Reeves

Leo stomped across the sala. His fists tight like tiny hammers.

His chest felt like a storm, and his throat ached with words he couldn’t say.

He thought about the kids who had laughed at his mask.

Leo’s cheeks grew warm.

“Fighters don’t cry,” he said. “Fighters stand tall.”

This story is a love letter to Latino families, showing that tears don’t make us weak—they make us human, and that love makes us strong. The author wrote this book to help Chicano and Latino children see themselves celebrated on the page, not just through heroes, but through everyday traditions—the hugs, the tortillas, the jokes, the tenderness.

Linda Reeves is a children’s author and proud Chicana, writing from her lived experience as a first-generation Mexican American. She seasons her stories with cultura—threading warmth, tenderness, and imagination through explorations of big feelings, family, and identity. Her books offer children language for their inner worlds while inviting adults to pause, reflect, and connect. Through gentle, compassionate storytelling, she creates spaces where vulnerability is honored and belonging is felt.

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Latino Voices in Children’s Literature

Writing Contest Winners

Current Winners

My Mother Is a Bridge by Maria Kim

Grandma Olivia’s Magical Soup Pot by Rachel Garcia

Even Luchadores Cry by Linda Reeves

Previous Winners

2024 Winners

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Winners from 2024

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