“As a Mexican American children’s book author, I turn my adventures into empowering stories for kids.” — Alicia Salazar

Alicia Salazar is a former elementary school teacher. She taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade for 12 years. She has also been a marine biologist. Currently, she is a freelancer who has written for magazines and blogs and educational publishers. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she was raised in Houston, TX and is currently living just north of Houston in the Woodlands, TX. She is the author of the Camila the Star series (Capstone 2021 & 2022) of early chapter books as well as Loch Ness Monster, Trolls, and Día de los Muertos (Capstone 2021). Many of the stories she writes have roots in her experiences growing up Mexican American.  Many are about the universal experiences of love, quiet, friendship, and hope.

Alicia's Featured Titles

Camila the Soccer Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila is ready to be a soccer star, but her soccer team, Las Estrellas Fugaz, has lost three games in a row. When it comes to soccer, it takes teamwork to become stars. How will Camila and the other shooting stars come together to earn a win?

Camila the Invention Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Normally Camila chases stardom. But when she creates a fabulous invention, stardom finds her What’s her invention? A pair of light-up slippers, the perfect gear for getting a snack in the middle of the night. Will her fun invention take her farther than the kitchen?

Camila the Spelling Bee Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila enters the spelling bee and is doing all she can to become a star speller. But when she gets nervous, her mind goes blank. Her anxiety is making her forget everything she’s learned. Can Camila find a way to stay calm and spell her way to success?

Camila the Rodeo Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila wants to be a rodeo star Her favorite event is bull riding. But before she can ride a real bull, or even a steer, she needs to ride the mechanical bull. Will Camila master the mechanical bull ride and take a big step toward her rodeo dreams?

Camila the Baking Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila and her papa enter a baking competition on TV. As they start their challenge, Camila is determined to take complete control of their challenge, strawberry-iced cake pops. But without teamwork, their dessert is a mess Is it too late to become baking stars?

Camila the Gaming Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila the Dancing Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila the Talent Show Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Camila the Singing Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Día de Los Muertos

Pebble Books |
Children’s

Dia de los Muertos is a special holiday to remember and celebrate loved ones. It is a Mexican tradition held to honor those who have died. Some people dress up and go to parades. Others sing, dance, and eat special food. Others decorate altars with flowers and make offerings. Readers will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Loch Ness Monster (Mythical Creatures)

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

Look carefully A dark shadow moves through the lapping lake water. It’s the Loch Ness Monster This shy serpent hides away from humans and treats lake dwellers with kindness. Ever wondered about Nessie’s diet and other habits? Does the lake monster have companions? Wonder no more Striking illustrations and matter-of-fact text take you on an underwater journey to learn all about the Loch Ness Monster.

Trolls (Mythical Creatures)

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

What’s that steady booming echoing through the mountains? It’s the heavy footsteps of a troll. Humans should beware of these creatures’ terrible, destructive powers. Have you ever wondered how trolls are born and grow up? What foods they prefer to feast on? What mischief fills their time? Wonder no more Striking illustrations and matter-of-fact text take you on daring journey to learn all about trolls.

Camila the Video Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

A video contest is the perfect way for Camila to become a star. To enter, she must make a video that explains what her city, Los Angeles, means to her. But Los Angeles is so big–how will she decide what to talk about? As Camila works on her video, she realizes that there’s one special thing that makes her city feel like home.

Camila the Stage Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

When Camila tries out for a play, she practices hard to get ready for auditions. So she’s extra disappointed when she doesn’t get the starring role. But as she learns her part and works with the rest of the cast, Camila discovers there is more than one way to be a star.

Camila the Record-Breaking Star

Picture Window Books |
Children’s

After reading about kid record-breakers, Camila dreams of breaking a record of her own. But which world record should she tackle? No matter what she tries, Camila finds that breaking records is hard. Will she ever become a record-breaking star?

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Author Visits

Virtually and in person, Alicia is available for 25 minute Q & A sessions, 45 minute virtual classroom visits, and full day multi-classroom author visits.

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Virtual Creative Writing Workshops, Grades K-2 & 3-6

A writer since the age of 10, Alicia inspires kids to write in this one hour creative writing workshop. Kids can learn about other writers and how they practice their craft as well as learn tricks of the trade.

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Integrity & What Makes Us Connect to Characters (K-5)

Kids learn about integrity through the many examples in the Camila the Star books. Camila’s varied character traits also become a launchpad for learning how kids can see themselves in the character’s they read.

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Following Your Dream (K-5)

There can be many obstacles to following your dream, both perceived and actual. This presentation teaches kids how they have inside of them the power to surmount those obstacles in order to achieve their goals, be they big or small.

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My Writing Journey (adults)

A 20 minute look back at how it all started for Alicia when she was ten years old, the obstacles she has faced in accomplishing her dream, how if felt when her first book was published, and what she hopes for the future.

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Writing Journey (Kids)

A 45-60 minute interactive presentation about how the author learned to love reading and writing, which subsequently led her on a series of adventures which ultimately led to becoming a published author.

Author Alicia Salazar Discusses 4 Book Chapter Series “Camila the Star”

Alicia’s Book of the Week Blog

Alicia’s Giveaways

Ask Camila

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Winner of the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award
Winner of the Amplifying Unsung Voices Award
Winner of an honorable mention in the Kate Dopirack Craft and Community Award

Media clips

Coming Soon!

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

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