Sacramento Latino Book & Family Festival

From Cultural Capital by Chris Macias:

Leticia Ordaz is recognized around the region as an anchor and reporter for KCRA3. At the same time, she’s built a successful career as an author and publisher of bilingual children’s books.

Her publishing house, Cielito Lindo Books, recently earned numerous medals at the International Latino Book Awards. Among them, her husband Enrique Baeza received four gold medals, one silver and a rising star award for “That Environmental Crusader Could Be Me!” An anthology from Cielito Lindo Books, “We Come From Greatness, Volume 2” written by 52 migrant youths also received a gold medal and rising star honors.

You’ll see this passion for youthful Latino literature on display at the Sacramento Latino Book & Family Festival. Valley High in South Sacramento will teem with dozens of award-winning authors, along with educational resources, live music and lowriders.

This festival includes Hollywood star power as well. Edward James Olmos of “Stand and Deliver” and “American Me” fame will deliver a keynote address. He’s also the co-founder of Empowering Latino Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to Latino literacy and educational success.

“For me, it’s about bringing families together, helping people discover great books and inspiring someone to say, ‘I can write a book too,’” Ordaz wrote in an email. “It’s also very personal. I didn’t grow up seeing many books that reflected me or my culture, so when I see children light up because they see themselves in my story, that means everything to me.”

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