Celebrated artist Lucky Diaz, a bilingual musician, songwriter, author, and children’s television personality, stands out as a source of inspiration. With multiple Latin Grammy Awards and nominations for both Grammy and Emmy awards, his work has been recognized on a grand scale. But what truly distinguishes Lucky is his commitment to bringing cultures together through music and storytelling.
In our interview with Lucky, he emphasized how vital code-switching, a linguistic phenomenon that reflects the fusion of languages and cultures, is to him. "Soy pocho, soy Chicano, soy Latine. Mis libros vienen en dos idiomas," he proudly declares. His goal is for kids and families to see themselves and their unique way of speaking in his work, fostering a sense of representation and belonging.
For young aspiring writers, Lucky's advice is simple and empowering:
His message reminds us that creativity knows no boundaries, and self-doubt should not hinder the creative journey.
Lucky’s debut picture book, Paletero Man, was written during challenging times amid the prominence of divisive ideologies. He approached storytelling from a place of unity and community, aiming to shine a light on immigrant heroes. He reminds us that shared love for paletas and ice cream transcends borders, acting as a bridge that brings people from all walks of life together.
We agree with Lucky; libraries are not just repositories of books:
“son casas de communidad! Community centers where we can all find support, love, and tools to achieve sueños! By making a safe place for us all, the library is already achieving this.”
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Lucky Diaz is a family man, living in Los Angeles with his wife Alisha, daughter Indiana, and their dog Django. This close-knit family provides a source of inspiration for Lucky's work, which often celebrates the joys of family and community.
As we celebrate the Los Angeles Libros Festival and embrace diversity through reading, dreaming, and celebrating in two languages, Lucky Diaz's contributions serve as a reminder of the unifying power of storytelling. We eagerly await his next book, set to be released by HarperCollins in 2025. "It’s another immigrant hero story. I’m so grateful to Harpers for making a home for my brown voice and our community stories!" We can't wait to see how Lucky Diaz continues to inspire children and families through his inclusive and culturally rich stories.
Lucky Diaz will be one of the featured authors at the Los Angeles Libros Festival, a free bilingual book festival for the whole family celebrating stories and music from Latin America and the United States. L.A. Libros Fest will be streamed live on YouTube on Friday, September 29, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The Festival will be in-person at Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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