Mariana Ríos
Award winning Latina children's book author
About Mariana
Mariana Ríos Ramírez is a children’s book author from Mexico who loves sharing elements of her culture, language, and traditions through her stories. Santiago’s Dinosaurios is Mariana's debut picture book. It was published by Albert Whitman & Company in October 2022. The story was inspired by her son's experience when her family moved from México to the USA in 2016. Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story is Mariana's second picture book and it was published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in September 2024. It's based on the Mexican celebration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and Mariana feels honored to share about this beautiful tradition in her country. A Spanish edition is also available. Besides writing, Mariana loves photography, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She currently resides in Anderson, South Carolina.
Books
What educators say
“We have been lucky to have two visits with this author for Santiago’s Dinosaurios and Abuelita’s Gift. The students really enjoy the books and connecting with the author. Our Hispanic students absolutely love seeing themselves reflected in her books.”
“Mrs. Ríos Ramírez did an excellent job modeling her publishing process. Students were able to see that life experiences can lead to creative writing. Her use of various dinosaurs to represent the character’s anxiety made it relatable to children of all ages. Santiago’s Dinosaurios helps students understand that although our world is diverse, we have commonalities.”
“We were honored to host the incredible author, Mariana Ríos Ramírez, at Village Book Builders. Her virtual visits to our children in Africa, Peru, and Mexico were truly heartwarming. The kids were overjoyed and thoroughly engaged. Our students absolutely loved the story time sessions and the Q&A opportunities with Mariana. Our Peruvian and African children were particularly captivated by Abuelita’s Gift, gaining a deeper understanding of Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication to crafting such loving presentations and creative costumes, which further inspired our students to ask questions and learn more about Mariana and her story. We eagerly anticipate her next virtual visit with Santiago’s Dinosaurios will be another resounding success!”
Visit formats
What a visit includes
I have different options of presentations depending on the book of choice and grade level. I can do in person or virtual, in English or Spanish, and with a Q&A session at the end. Interested teachers please contact my agency How Now Booking for more information about the different options of programs and pricing. https://www.hownowbooking.com/speakers/rios/ I really love spending time with children, sharing the characters and stories I've imagined, telling them about how those ideas came to be books, and what my journey has been like. Thanks so much for considering me!
Fees vary by format, travel, and your school's needs. Reach out directly for a quote and open dates.
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