UCLA Latin American Institute Children's Literature Series for Educators

This series is online and open to the public.

The UCLA Latin American Institute’s Outreach Program has trained hundreds of Southern California teachers, offering workshops to K-12 educators delivered by internationally recognized scholars on Latin American history, culture, society, and Latin America's deep connections to the United States.

During the 2023-24 academic year, the Latin American Institute is delighted to offer a year-long series focusing on Latin American children’s literature and its connection to the Latin American descent diaspora in the United States. Latin American children’s literature has exploded in recent years, with contributions coming from every country in the region. The themes are varied, ranging from stories anchored in Latin America’s indigenous cultures and natural environments to the challenges of living in busy cities, to the playful adventures of fictional characters.

The series will cover different dimensions of Latin American children’s literature, from the creative process to using children's literature in the classroom. The eight lectures offered throughout the 2023-24 academic year will feature scholars of children’s literature, editors, librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, and translators. The series will provide educators with a deeper understanding of Latin America, resources to teach children’s literature, and strategies to connect it to the backgrounds of multicultural students in Los Angeles and California. This series will culminate with a three-day in-person professional development workshop for educators in the summer.

Presentations:

Thursday, May 9 2024, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time/via zoom)

Honoring Our Stories: Bringing Our Voices Into Children's Literature by Mariana Llanos

Click here to view recording

Tuesday, April 9 2024, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time/via zoom)

Américas Award by Dr. Katrina Dillon

Using Picture Books to Connect by Gloria Amescua

Click here to view recording

Tuesday, March 19 2024, 5:00 PM (Pacific Time/via zoom)

Home Language: Crafting Spanish Versions of Books for Kids by David Bowles

Click here for zoom link bit.ly/3PgqAEI

You can view past presentions: