Tales of Yesterday, Today, and Always

Throughout the 20th century, national programs were implemented across Latin America to improve literacy rates. In a few decades, millions of children and adults, whether they resided in bustling cities, remote sierras, coastal regions, dense jungles, or rural countryside, were becoming readers. For them, and for us, reading meant better access to information and education oppor-tunities, and it also meant celebrating our own culture and voices.
Some non-profit organizations were created with the aim of promoting a democratic culture of books. Among the very first, there was Banco del Libro, established in 1960 in Venezuela. Their pioneer work focused on children’s literature, training mediators, the design of library networks and the creation of bibliobuses in hard-to-reach areas, as well as the first foundation of children’s books publisher Ediciones Ekaré. Today, Banco del Libro is a globally recognized institution, having been awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2007 and the UNESCO-Hamdan Award in 2012. They have also developed a specialized international award to recognize high-quality children’s books in
Spanish: Los Mejores del Banco del Libro.
Another institution that has become a reference in children’s literature in Spanish is Fundación Cuatrogatos, a non-profit organization based in Miami since 2012.Their project aims to bring the Spanish-speaking community closer to reading, arts, and education, helping develop creative and critical skills, promoting civic values, and respecting cultural differences. Every year they organize the event Fiesta de la
Lectura in Miami, enhanced by an array of workshops, seminars and book picnics. Their prestigious Premio Fundación Cuatrogatos awards high-quality books in Spanish for children and young readers.

All the books featured in this exhibition were awarded between 1980 and 2023 with the recognition of these important organizations.