Latino celebrities and award-winning authors (see partial list below) discussed their latest books at the 12th Annual Chicago Latino Book & Family Festival, which featured book readings, fun activities for children and live entertainment for the whole family. The festival took place on April 2-3, 2011 at Unity Junior High School, 2101 South Laramie Ave., Cicero, Illinois. The event was free to the public and was open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Vendor and sponsorship packages for 2012 are  available here.

Leticia Calderón, the famous Mexican actress, studied at the Centro de Capacitación de Televisa. She has taken part in several theatrical plays and soap operas (telenovelas). One of her most popular roles was Esmeralda in the hugely successful telenovela. She has gained fans and fame worldwide. In 2010, she wrote a book about her Down Syndrome son Luciano: Luciano: Un angel en mi vida (Luciano: an angel in my life). This story of the first 5 years of Luciano's life is a valuable tool not only for families with children with special needs, but for teachers and staff who care for children. Leticia shares their experiences, challenges and joys, with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Antonio Vazquez Alba, also known as "El Brujo Mayor" through 35 years has been forecasting the future in different fields. He has written several books and will promote his latest work Practical Guide to developing mental powers (Guía práctica para desarrollar los poderes mentales).

Alejandro Chabán is a Venezuelan actor who has performed in both English- and Spanish-language productions. His English credits include The Notorius Betty Page and a guest starring role on Monk, The Mentalist and The Perfect Game. He has appeared in Telemundo produced serials, such as Prisionera, Decisiones and El Rosto de Analía, and is also appearing as "Tony" in Eva Luna on Univision. And now Alejandro Chabán has launched his first book, De Gordo A Galán/From Fatty to Hottie which recounts the actor's journey from childhood obesity to handsome leading man, a transformation he credits to the introduction of a healthy, active lifestyle. He motivates people to take their life back and win the battle against obesity, creating the movement called Alejandro's Way.

Rutino Lara is the author of Meant to Be; the Right Place, the Right Time and is a winner of the inaugural 2010 Latino Book into Movies Awards that were awarded at the Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival last October 8. Mr. Lara will be part of the authors showcase panel.

Fernando Olszanski is an Argentine film director and author. His most recent book, El orden natural de las cosas, draws on the raw flow of urban prose. This collection of short stories reveals a naked reality where stories are populated with characters that are immigrants, some of them illegal, and people caught between undefined borders. Olszanski's tightly written prose is fresh and genuine as the voices within these stories.

Other authors scheduled to appear include Marie Elena Cortes, My First Teacher; Tomas Mournian, Hidden; Victor David Giron, Sophomoric Philosophy; Thelma T. Reyna, The Heaven's Weep for Us and Other Stories; Marc Wilson, Hero Street U.S.A; Philip Victor, The Supremes; Soul Assassin; and  Scarlet Fox; Frank Suarez, El Poder del Metabolismo/The Power of Your Metabolism; Griselda Suarez, Concrete River Blvd.; Andres Rodriguez, Mini Dictionario Touristico/Mini Touristic Dictionary; Rayner Tapia, Morkann's Revenge; Dr. Jane Delgado, The Latina Guide to Health; Ed Rodriguez, Kiki Koki; Raul Ramos, America Libre; Jose Marcelino Triana Perdomo, De la Oscuridad a la luz and  Dr. Robert Rodriguez, Latino Talent: Effective Strategies to Recruit, Retain and Develop Hispanic Professionals.