Alicia

Salazar

Mexican American Children’s Author

FoEducator

Travels from: Houston, TX

“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 2021-2026) 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 Coding Star

Picture Window Books |

January 1, 2026

Children’s

Camila is enjoying a day at the beach with her papa and siblings, when she finds a message in a bottle! The message is in a secret code, but Camila knows what to do to decode it. She will let her computer help! Can Camila write a computer code to learn what the secret message says?

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Latinx Heritage, STEM & STEAM

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.

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.

Setting Goals Like a Star

An interactive presentation, that uses the Camila the Star series to help kids understand and set personal goals, then work toward them.

Brainstorming and Outlining a “Star” Story

An interactive workshop inspired by the Camila the Star series which encourages kids to identify something they love to do and write a “star” story in which they detail what challenges they might face and how to solve them.

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.

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.

Camila’s Confidence Class

An interactive presentation that gives kids the tools they need to develop confidence like Camila. They will learn how to strike a Power Pose, as well break through barriers like fear and anxiety.

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

“Big thanks to Alicia Salazar for visiting Warren County Public Library! Her Camila series was a huge hit for our students. We loved the way she featured her Mexican American heritage in her presentation, also giving students a chance to share the things they love and the place where they live. Alicia’s personal love of books, reading, and storytelling shines through, and her interaction with students allows them to brainstorm their own challenges and ways to overcome them so they can be a star, just like Camila!” — Warren County Public Library, 2025

“We LOVED having Ms. Salazar visit our library! The students really enjoyed her book and they had fun seeing how they could relate to the character, Camila! They could not wait to get these books from the library after! Thank you for helping us to develop a love of reading in our kids…your visit brought excitement and joy to reading!” — Houser Elementary School, 2025

“Thank you for visiting Farias Elementary; students and teachers enjoyed your presentation. Your stories are enjoyable to read; we love Camila because we can relate to her and her adventures. Thank you for writing such fantastic stories. My only hope is that you will write a similar series for boys.” — Farias Elementary School, 2025

“Alicia was great! We were so excited to have her and her commitment for being a part of the festival was unmatched. Flight delays and bad weather could not keep her away. We are so thankful that she was a part of another successful Shreve Memorial Library Children’s Book Festival.” — Shreve Memorial Library, 2025

“Alicia was great at our event and the kids had an amazing time! She is so thoughtful in how she speaks to the kids and always had a kind word to say to them. The kids loved her!” — Arlington Public Library, 2025

“We LOVED having Ms. Salazar visit our library! The students really enjoyed her books, and they had fun seeing how they could relate to the character, Camila! They could not wait to get these books from the library after! Thank you for helping us to develop a love of reading in our kids…your visit brought excitement and joy to reading!” — Ashley Lee, Houser Elementary School

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