Reyes-Olivas Award

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD CREATED TO SUPPORT FIRST-TIME LATINO AUTHORS

From Arte Público Press, for more information visit, 

https://artepublicopress.com/new-childrens-book-award-created-to-support-first-time-latino-authors/

 

 

 

HOUSTON, TX—Long-time Arte Público Press supporters Dr. Augustina “Tina” Reyes and Dr. Michael Olivas, both retired University of Houston professors, have donated the funding to create an endowment in support of a new book award to inspire first-time Latino authors of books for children or teens.

 

Dr. Olivas chaired the press’ advisory board for a decade and published two scholarly books with Arte Público, and Dr. Reyes has worked to introduce immigrant and migrant children to Arte Público’s books. “We feel our love and dedication to UH are aligned with the goals of the Press, and we hope our gift will not only recognize budding authors but will provide longstanding financial support.”

 

The couple donated $80,000 to create an endowment to support the award, and they intend to raise an additional $45,000 to ensure a $5,000 prize can be given annually to debut authors using endowment interest. “We call upon our many friends and colleagues at UH and throughout the country to consider giving to Arte Público. We are blessed to be in a position to give and urge others to do so as well.”

 

Passionate about raising up their Hispanic heritage and the education and well-being of the country’s largest and fastest-growing “minority” population, the couple feels it is critical for children to see themselves in books. “At a time when politics have brought libraries and teachers under fire, it is more important than ever to step in and encourage support for reading education, including the wide array of children’s literature by and from our community.”

 

The Reyes-Olivas Award for Best First Book of Latino Children’s and Young Adult Literature seeks to stimulate the work begun by Arte Público Press and its imprint, Piñata Books, which is dedicated to the publication of children’s and young adult literature that authentically and realistically portrays themes, characters and customs unique to US Hispanic culture. In addition to the publication of the book and royalties from sales, the winning author will receive a $5,000 prize.