Meet Mariana Llanos, One of the 2020 PB Stars

​This is Mariana Llanos. She writes children’s books in English and Spanish. She grew up in Lima, Peru. That’s in South America. Now she lives in the state of Oklahoma with her husband, 3 kids, and a dog. 

Mariana started writing poetry when she was little. She loved reading stories so she started creating her own. Marian published her first book in 2013, and she’s been writing ever since. 

​If you’d like to learn more about Mariana, click on this link: www.marianallanos.com

This is Mariana’s newest book. It made her a 2020 PB Star in February of 2020. Meet Eunice and Kate, next door neighbors and best friends. They’re a lot alike, but they have very different dreams. Kate wants to be an astronaut. Eunice a ballet dancer.
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Things go wrong when they draw each other in art. The problem – each girl draws her own dream, but on the other person. Eunice looks like an astronaut, and Kate is dancing across the page. Both girls feel misunderstood. Read to find out how their friendship survives the discovery that different people have different dreams. 

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​Luca’s Bridge came out in April 2019. It’s written in both English and Spanish so you get two stories in one. Luca has always lived in the U.S. until his parents get a letter in the mail. Suddenly the family is leaving everything behind to move across the border to Mexico, his parents’ birthplace. Read along as Luca moves and learns to find his place in a new home, a new country. You’ll find themes that include immigration, deportation, home, and identity.

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​​Kutu the Tiny Inca Princess came out in November of 2018. Kutu may have been a princess, but she was the size of a corn cob. Her people called it maize. Their empire stretched along the Pacific coastline of South America from modern Ecuador down to Chile. This story is written in English, Spanish, and Quechua, the language of the empire. When a drought threatens the people of Cusco, Kutu sets off on a quest to save them. Will courage and perseverance make up for her tiny size? You’ll have to read Kutu’s story to find out. 

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​No Birthday for Mara came out in February of 2015. Poor Mara! She’s waited all year for the perfect birthday, but it looks like no one remembered. If you know a kid who’s been disappointed by a special day, this story will help them explore those feelings. Back matter includes a section on emotions, plus four coloring pages with writing prompts. If your child isn’t a writer, you could use them as conversation starters. 

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​In September of 2015, Mariana brought out A Superpower for Me. Imagine – you discover your parents have superpowers, and you’ll have them too, when you’re eighteen. Plus – your power will make your city, your country, a better place to live. Are you wondering what it could possibly be?
Hint – it will help you at home and at school. It involves civics and government. Back matter includes facts about our American government. 

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​The Staircase on Pine Street came out in December of 2015. Lilly, age 10, has the best grandpa ever, until he’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Lilly doesn’t know what to do. Nothing helps him – until Grandpa remembers something from his past – a long forgotten treasure. Can Lilly find it? With a little help from her best friend, anything is possible!

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​The Wanting Monster came out in May 2014, but I bet a few of you  have met a few ‘Wanting Monsters,’ especially around Christmas. Tito is the big brother, and he’s sure his brother Andy is turning into a monster. It’s scary! Andy wants everything he sees – toys, cars, a garden hose? But now the monster has gone too far! He wants to stay up late and talk to Santa. Could he ruin – Christmas? You’ll have to read to find out!

Then in January of 2016 the sequel came out! The Wanting Monster (NOT!) Home for Christmas. Poor Andy and Tito! They learn that they’re going to Peru, for Christmas. This is the worst thing ever! How will Santa ever find them? Andy moves into action – he does everything possible to stay home, Mom sees through every one of his tricks. The only thing left to do – let Santa know where they’ll be. The boys are terrified, especially when they discover that Peru won’t have snow for Christmas. Will Santa come? Will the boys ever be happy again? You’ll have to read to find out!

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​Tristan Wolf was Mariana’s debut book, and it came out in April of 2013. The plot sounds like a twist on the Jungle Book. Tristan was abandoned as a baby, but he was lucky –  he was raised by wolves. At age 8 he discovers the truth – he’s a human! His wolf mother tries to talk him out of it, but Tristan sets off on a voyage home. A coyote offers a helping paw, if Tristan will reward wolf’s ‘kindness’ with a couple of chickens. Everything is looking good till Tristan meets some nervous chickens, a worried ex-race horse, and some panicked pigs. Will Tristan go back to the wolves? You’ll have to read to find out. 

The sequel came out in January of 2014, A Planet for Tristan Wolf. Tristan now has a brother, and they’re not getting along. Go figure! Tristan and hist best friend Red run away – to another planet! It doesn’t turn out so well. No plants, no parks, no sun, but everyone’s green. Even odder – everyone’s afraid of Red. The two friends decide to get out before things get worse. Imagine – they could get stuck there forever. I have a feeling – Tristan and Red will make it home, but you’ll have to read to make sure.