Mariana Llanos, Translator

Mariana Llanos is a children’s books writer, poet, and translator. Born in Lima, Peru, she’s the author of several books including the 2024 Pura Belpre Honor Book and Oklahoma Book Award Finalist, Benita y las criaturas nocturnas/Benita and the Night Creatures, and the 2022 Oklahoma Book Award winner Run Little Chaski/Corre Pequeño Chaski!. Other titles include Luca's Bridge/El puente de Luca (2021 ALSC Notable Book Awards), Eunice and Kate (Paterson Prize Books for Young Readers) Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess (Campoy-Ada Awards), the audio story Qoritika and the Three Alpacas, featured on Tiny Tales by Pampers Podcast produced by Sony Music Entertainment. among others. Her translation work include 14 Monkeys (14 Monos) by Melissa Steward, In Every Life (En cada vida) by Marla Frazee, Abuela's Supercapa (La supercapa de abuela) co-translated with Ana Siqueira, Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa (Alberto Salas juega a la paka paka con la papa), by Sara A. Fajardo, among others.

In 2017, Mariana received the Oklahoma Human Rights Award for her work visiting schools in different countries around the world through virtual technology. That same year she was selected as the Best Latino Artist by the Hispanic Arts Council of Oklahoma. Her upcoming books include two chapter book series, Vampirita (July 2024) and Martina and her Bright Star (2025) with Reycraft Books. She’s a co-founder of LatinxPitch, a virtual event that boosts the representation of Latino creatives in the children’s publishing industry and co-chair of the Latino Committee for the Firehouse Arts Center in Norman Oklahoma. In addition to writing, Mariana is an experienced speaker who visits schools regularly. She resides in Oklahoma City with her children. Visit www.marianallanos.com to learn more about her books and school visits.