Our Authors & Books
The book:
Mil Soles Lejanos
Ulises is a boy like all boys in the world: he loves space travel, cartoons, and hates soup. He also has a collection of spaceships and sometimes gets angry when his parents don’t let him play outside for longer. However, Ulises has something that sets him apart and will lead him to become friends with an astronomer, confront his parents, and discover the meaning of freedom— that strange word that stands for many things like reaching dreams, challenging fears, and traveling to the Moon even if it means facing a thousand distant suns.
The author:
Antonio Ramos Revillas
Antonio Ramos Revillas holds a degree in Spanish Literature from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. He served as an editorial assistant at the publishing houses SUMA de Letras and Punto de Lectura of Santillana Ediciones General, as well as editor of Jus. Additionally, he was a cultural entrepreneur and founded the independent bookstore Terraza 27. Since February 2016, he has been the director of the UANL University Press. From 2012 to 2016, he trained reading promoters as part of the National Reading Rooms Program.
In 2014, he was selected by the Hay Festival, Conaculta, and the British Council as one of the most important Mexican writers under 40 in the country, within the Mexico 20 project. He also hosted the radio program Blanco Interno on Libertad 102.1, dedicated to promoting books and reading. Part of his work has been translated into English, and he has received grants from various institutions throughout his career.
2025
The book:
Agencia De Detectives Escolares
Surely, extraordinary things happen at your school (just like in all schools). And you’ve probably heard about a ghost haunting the girls’ bathroom, or a teacher wandering the hallways, lamenting and asking for a cup of coffee from any student who passes by. Well, the Colegio Virreyes is no exception. They say the spirit of a little murdered girl lives in the 5th C classroom; and not only that, but it also steals everyone’s favorite belongings when students neglect their studies. The poor children of 5th C don’t know what to do! That’s when the brave Pedro Cházaro and Patricio, Pato, Rosas decide to create the "School Detective Agency" to solve the mystery—though luck doesn’t seem to be on their side
The author:
Jaime Alfonso Sandoval
Jaime Alfonso Sandoval was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and studied at UNAM and SOGEM. With nearly twenty years of experience, he has worked in journalism and television scripts. As a writer, he focuses on works for children and young adults, and has received awards such as the Barco de Vapor 2006, the Gran Angular in 1997 and 2001, and other national and international recognitions. His books are in school libraries, and some have been translated into Dutch and French.
2024
The book:
La Excepcion De La Regla
What happens when you're a small fish surrounded by big, formidable sharks? Leo's life was anything but easy: he constantly faces bullying from a group of children he perceives as threatening marine creatures. But one day, with the help of the smartest girl in class, Leo will manage to earn everyone's respect.
The author:
Vivian Mansour
Viviana Mansour is a distinguished Mexican writer, renowned for her compelling storytelling and contributions to children's and young adult literature. With a background in literature and education, she has authored numerous books that explore themes of identity, culture, and social awareness, captivating readers with her engaging narratives and relatable characters. Her work has received various awards and accolades, solidifying her reputation as an influential voice in contemporary Mexican literature. Mansour is also actively involved in literary workshops and advocacy, inspiring young writers and promoting literacy across communities.
The book:
La Improbable Pero Verdadera Historia De Mundo
Nicolás and MundO are two charming, unconventional friends. Nicolás is a shy boy captivated by maps, while MundO is a less shy teddy bear who loves adventure—and jam. Their lives change during a trip to La Suerte, a mine under construction deep within the forest. On this journey, MundO reveals he's more than just a toy, and Nicolás proves to be much braver than his family had ever imagined.
The author:
Monique Zepeda
Psychotherapist and author of over 40 books for children, youth, and educators. She has received numerous national and international awards for her work. She has collaborated with various institutions on violence prevention programs. Several of her books are part of the SEP School Libraries program. Her visual artwork has been exhibited in several museums, including Papalote, Museo Globo, Guadalajara Museum, and the Museum of Memory and Tolerance, among others.
2023
The book:
De Grillos y Chicharras
Forced to migrate, a group of cicadas seeks refuge in the territory of a cricket orchestra, which is unwilling to share its domain. Though both groups despise each other for their differences, they are eventually compelled to coexist. As they get to know one another, they realize they are not as dissimilar as they believed—and that they can complement each other to create the most beautiful harmony. This book explores the philosophical issue of private property and advocates for solidarity and empathy—not only as solutions to conflicts but as essential for survival in a world where many believe they have the right to ownership and exploitation.
The author:
Pedro Antonio García
Pedro Antonio García (Mexico City, 1982) is a writer, librettist, playwright, and screenwriter. As a child, he believed he would find happiness as a pirate, an astronaut, a vampire, the president of the nation, and a swamp monster. Thanks to his vivid imagination, he was able to bring these dreams to life, but he eventually discovered that true happiness doesn't come from living fantastic adventures or having many lives—it's found in sharing those stories with others.
2022
The book:
Las Luciernagas No Vuelan
There are two things everyone knows about fireflies: that they fly and that they have their own light. What few know is that only the males can truly fly, because the females have tiny wings and can only stay shining among the leaves. It’s a law dictated by nature. But for Lucía, there are no laws that can’t be challenged in order to achieve her dream of flying like a comet through the night.
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The author:
Pedro Antonio García
Pedro Antonio García (Mexico City, 1982) is a writer, librettist, playwright, and screenwriter. As a child, he believed he would find happiness as a pirate, an astronaut, a vampire, the president of the nation, and a swamp monster. Thanks to his vivid imagination, he was able to bring these dreams to life, but he eventually discovered that true happiness doesn't come from living fantastic adventures or having many lives—it's found in sharing those stories with others.
2021
The book:
Max el Terrible
Through this fun story and with the author's characteristic humor, the reader will understand the mistreatment that pets endure when they are not given the care they deserve. Quique is a spoiled boy who collects pets, but when he gets bored of them, he sends them to the roof with the rest of the most boring animals in the world. One day, he comes into possession of a very special rabbit that will make him see his luck.
The author:
Jaime Alfonso Sandoval
Jaime Alfonso Sandoval was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and studied at UNAM and SOGEM. With nearly twenty years of experience, he has worked in journalism and television scripts. As a writer, he focuses on works for children and young adults, and has received awards such as the Barco de Vapor 2006, the Gran Angular in 1997 and 2001, and other national and international recognitions. His books are in school libraries, and some have been translated into Dutch and French.
2020
The book:
Cajas de Cartón
“‘La frontera’… I heard it for the first time back in the late 1940s when Papa and Mama told me and Roberto, my older brother, that someday we would take a long trip north, cross la frontera, enter California, and leave our poverty behind” So begins Cajas de cartón (The Circuit), an honest and powerful account of a Mexican family’s journey to the fields of California — from strawberry fields to cotton fields, from tent cities to one-room shacks. Seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for an education and the right to call one place home, this is a story of survival, hope, and determination, and a powerful example of how a person’s life can be transformed from poverty to success.
The author:
Francisco Jiménez
We were happy to have received Francisco a second time to Mexico in 2019. Francisco was our first visiting author in 2013 and because of the success of those events, LPT became an organization.
Born in 1943, Francisco Jiménez attended Santa Clara University in California as a scholarship student, and went on to earn his doctorate at Columbia University in New York. He has taught literature and ethnic studies at Santa Clara University, where he recently retired as director of the division of Arts and Humanities. His books have been translated into many languages and won numerous awards.
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“My participation in Libros para Todos was a rewarding and enriching experience,” Jiménez says. “I was impressed by the leadership and commitment of the founders and organizers of this wonderful program to promote reading in the San Miguel de Allende community and, most of all, I was inspired by the children who read my work and were eager to learn. They give us all hope for a better future.”
2019
The book:
La Distancia entre Nosotros
Born in Mexico and raised by her grandparents after her parents left to find work in the U.S., at nine years old, Reyna enters the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant to live with her father. Filled with hope, she quickly realizes that life in America is far from perfect. Her father isn’t the man she dreamed about all those years in Mexico. His big dreams for his children are what gets them across the border, but his alcoholism and rage undermine all his hard work and good intentions. Reyna finds solace from a violent home in books and writing, inspired by the Latina voices she reads.
The author:
Reyna Grande
Born in Iguala, Guerrero, she moved to the US at age 10 as an undocumented immigrant and later went on to become the first person in her family to graduate from college. After attending Pasadena City College for two years, Reyna obtained a B.A. in creative writing and film & video from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She later received her M.F.A. in creative writing from Antioch University. Now, in addition to being a published author, she is also a sought-after motivational speaker at high schools, colleges, and universities across the nation. At a time when immigration politics are at a boiling point in America, Reyna Grande is an important public voice for Mexican Americans and immigrants of every origin.
2018
The books:
Las Cajas de China
Jerónimo Tajín is a nine-year-old Mexican child whose only concern is getting the latest video game. But everything changes for him when his adventurous Uncle Gustavo a mysterious gift from his travels around the world: the Chinese boxes. They are seven boxes, one within another and each one wrapped in a different color. Uncle Gustavo has given very precise instructions; his nephew can only open them one per day or else… suffer the Chinese curse!
El Pais de las Piramides
Fourteen year old Mirai is having trouble adapting to her new life with her father and sister in Mexico. She misses her mother who lives in the United States and she doesn’t understand Mexican customs. One day, on a class trip to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, she, without knowing it, activates a powerful spell that allows her to enter the pyramid and travel back in time. An ancient god chooses her to save humankind but her tasks are daunting. Will Mirai be able to complete her challenges and return to her world?
The author:
María García Esperón
Maria is a Mexican writer of young adult and children’s literature. She studied humanities at the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana and studied the Classics at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. She is the great-niece of the famous Manuel Esperon Gonzalez. She has been a journalist, founded the group of flamenco dancers ‘Triana’ and widely promotes literacy and poetry for children. She moved to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato in 2018.
The books:
La Vida Útil de Pillo Polilla
A delightful story about a moth that, upon learning to read, can no longer continue his diet of books out of respect for literature. How could he destroy the written form of art? What was the purpose of his existence? This little moth decides to leave the comforts and stability of his life in the library to explore the world and find a book that will give his life meaning and answer some big questions.
Flor de Rayo
In a small community that sits at the foot of the imposing volcano, Popocatepetl, the role of ‘granicero’ is very important. The ‘granicero’ is the town’s leader and is responsible for communicating directly with the volcano and the role has always been reserved for a grown man. Until now. When an adolescent girl is ‘chosen’ by the volcano for this role, the town is shocked and the shock is made greater by the fact that the girl is deaf. This book is a wonderful coming of age story for all children, but particularly for girls, because it shows that leadership and strength are traits not assigned to a particular gender.
The author:
Vivian Mansoura
Born in Mexico City, Vivan Mansour is a very celebrated author of books for children and has traveled the world sharing her works and promoting literature. Her charisma and her love of literature and children have made her an ideal partner for Libros para Todos. She studied Communication at the Universidad Iberoamericana.
2017
The books:
Ana, ¿verdad?
Ana, the protagonist of Ana, ¿verdad? (Ana, right?), is a girl with her head in the clouds. One day, on the way to the bakery, she gets lost and discovers she is in a strange land with strange names and customs.
La Fórmula del Doctor Funes
La fórmula del doctor Funes (Doctor Funes’s Formula) is a disgusting potion that reverses the aging process. When a boy named Martin seeks out Doctor Funes, the potion’s inventor, he finds the doctor has used the potion to convert himself into young Pablo, an eccentric child who drinks coffee and reads the newspaper. Then, the elders of the town begin to vanish, and babies miraculously appear in their place…. What is going on?
The author:
Francisco Hinojosa
Born in Mexico City in 1954, Francisco Hinojosa is a poet, fiction writer, educator, and one of the prominent authors of children’s books in Spanish. His work has been widely translated, and he has conducted workshops in children’s literature throughout Mexico, and in other countries.
2016
The book:
El Libro Salvaje
El libro salvaje (The Wild Book) is the story of Juan, a teenage Mexican boy. Juan has made summer plans, but his mother ignores his wishes and leaves him at his Uncle Tito’s house. Tito is an eccentric book lover, and in the uncle’s vast library, Juan discovers “El libro salvaje,” a volume that resists being read. Its pages hold an amazing secret if you’re capable of catching it.
The author:
Juan Villoro
Novelist, playwright and journalist Juan Villoro (Mexico, 1956) has been a professor of literature at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City; and a visiting professor at Yale University, Princeton University, and the Universidad Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. He is equally adept at writing for children as he is for adults.
2015
The book:
El Gusano de Tequila
El Gusano de Tequila (The Tequila Worm) is the story of Sofia, a young girl growing up in a predominately Latino neighborhood along the Texas-Mexico border. The novel is ripe with the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Día de los Muertos, preparing for quinceañera, rejoicing in the Christmas Nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm.
The story follows Sofia as she leaves her family and neighborhood, and embarks on a journey to a boarding school as a scholarship recipient. Her experiences in the new world of privilege within the boarding school add meaning to the family traditions she has experienced throughout her childhood. Viola Canales’s young adult novel won the Pura Belpré Award in 2006 “for its portrayal, affirmation, and celebration of the Latino cultural experience.”
The author:
Viola Canales
Viola Canales grew up in McAllen, Texas, in a Spanish-speaking household steeped in family traditions. Canales left home at fifteen, after receiving a scholarship to attend an elite boarding school in Austin, Texas. From there, she attended Harvard University and graduated from Harvard Law School. Canales served as a captain in the United States Army; worked as a community organizer for the United Farm Workers; and had a Presidential-level appointment with the Clinton Administration. Throughout her adventures, she never forgot her neighborhood or her family traditions.
Viola Canales had this to say about her experience as Libros para Todos’s featured author for 2014: “Libros para Todos pulls people together around a book. As if by magic, this works to make us — whether students, parents, teachers, team members, sponsors, or authors — into a close family, one enchanted and energized by the alchemizing force of art, of sharing a story, inspiring us to seek and see the richness and wonder of our own personal, everyday lives, as well as of those around us.”
2014
The book:
Cajas de Cartón
“‘La frontera’… I heard it for the first time back in the late 1940s when Papa and Mama told me and Roberto, my older brother, that someday we would take a long trip north, cross la frontera, enter California, and leave our poverty behind” So begins Cajas de cartón (The Circuit), an honest and powerful account of a Mexican family’s journey to the fields of California — from strawberry fields to cotton fields, from tent cities to one-room shacks. Seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for an education and the right to call one place home, this is a story of survival, hope, and determination, and a powerful example of how a person’s life can be transformed from poverty to success.
The author:
Francisco Jiménez
We were happy to have received Francisco a second time to Mexico in 2019. Francisco was our first visiting author in 2013 and because of the success of those events, LPT became an organization.
Born in 1943, Francisco Jiménez attended Santa Clara University in California as a scholarship student, and went on to earn his doctorate at Columbia University in New York. He has taught literature and ethnic studies at Santa Clara University, where he recently retired as director of the division of Arts and Humanities. His books have been translated into many languages and won numerous awards.
​
“My participation in Libros para Todos was a rewarding and enriching experience,” Jiménez says. “I was impressed by the leadership and commitment of the founders and organizers of this wonderful program to promote reading in the San Miguel de Allende community and, most of all, I was inspired by the children who read my work and were eager to learn. They give us all hope for a better future.”