Books build bridges. Children cross them.
Every child deserves to grow up surrounded by stories that inspire them, represent them and connect them to the world.Pequeños Puentes is a Bolivian-born initiative building international bridges through children's books, literacy and cultural exchange.Starting in Bolivia, we bring together communities, creators and organizations to make books more accessible, inspire children to read and connect people across borders.
Every child deserves a story
Books give children much more than the ability to read.They develop imagination, language, empathy and curiosity. They help children understand where they come from and imagine where they could go.Yet access to quality children's books remains deeply unequal.And when local authors, illustrators and publishers struggle to create and distribute children's literature, children also lose access to stories that reflect their own communities, languages and experiences.We want to change both sides of that equation.
What we do
We use books to connect children across their and others' languages, cultures and countries.
We support the people behind children's literature, from emerging writers and illustrators to publishers and educators.
We turn books into experiences through storytelling, clubs, theatre, film, creative activities and community events.
Starting in Bolivia. Building bridges worldwide.
Pequeños Puentes begins in Bolivia, a country of extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity.Our first programmes will strengthen children's access to books and reading while supporting the people and communities that make literature possible.But the bridge does not stop at Bolivia.We are developing international collaborations that allow books, ideas, knowledge and stories to travel between communities.
One book can start something much bigger
A book where a child sees themselves can become their favourite story.A library can become a meeting place.A story can become a theatre performance.A young reader can become tomorrow's writer.A collaboration between two organizations can connect hundreds of children who might otherwise never encounter one another.That is what we mean by building bridges.
Open roadmap
This story is only beginning
We need people who believe children deserve more stories, more opportunities and more connections with the world.Whether you can contribute books, funding, expertise, time, ideas or connections, there is a place for you.Help us build the next bridge.
From books to opportunities.
Every Pequeños Puentes project begins with books, but it does not necessarily end there.A book can inspire a conversation, a performance, a friendship, a new story or even a career.We design programmes around what books make possible.
Our five pillars
Access to Books
We work to make quality children's literature accessible through:
curated book collections
multilingual collections
publishing initiatives
book-sharing programmes
book donations
Creation
Bolivia should not only consume children's literature.It should create it.We want to strengthen opportunities for Bolivian authors, illustrators and other literary professionals while connecting them to international expertise, networks and opportunities.
Community Engagement
Libraries become powerful when communities make them their own.We involve children, families, volunteers, educators and local organizations in creating and running literacy initiatives.
Reading Habits
We create experiences that make children want to read.These can include storytelling, book clubs, theatre, film, illustration, creative writing, family activities and community events.
Cultural Exchange
Stories allow children to discover worlds beyond their own.Through international book exchanges and collaborative projects, we want children in different countries to encounter each other's stories, languages and cultures.
Starting in Bolivia
Pequeños Puentes begins in Bolivia, a country of extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity.Our first programmes will strengthen children's access to books in their language and reading while supporting the people and communities that make literature possible.In 2026 we are launching an open call for Bolivian authors, illustrators, and translators into Bolivia’s Indigenous languages to identify and develop new children’s picture books.Three projects will be selected for publication, creating paid opportunities for Bolivian creatives while bringing Bolivia’s stories, cultures, and languages to young readers locally and internationally.But the bridge does not stop at Bolivia.We are developing international collaborations that allow books, ideas, knowledge and stories to travel between communities.
The International Book Exchange
Books should travel.We are developing an international exchange connecting organizations working with children in different countries. Think pen pals but also with books!Participating communities will share carefully selected books and activities that introduce children to another country's stories, language and culture.The objective is not simply to move books across borders.It is to create encounters between children who may never meet.
What comes next
Author & Illustrator Collaborations
International exchanges, mentoring and collaborative creation.
Translation & Publishing
Helping Bolivian stories travel and bringing international literature to new readers.
Children's Correspondence Network
Letters, drawings and stories connecting children across countries.
Children's Literature Academy
Our long-term ambition is to create opportunities for aspiring authors and illustrators to learn, create and connect internationally.
Children's Literature Book Fair
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Ultimately, we want talented people in Bolivia to have more opportunities to build sustainable careers around literature.
Local roots. International ambition.
Pequeños Puentes was born in Bolivia from the belief that books can create opportunities far beyond reading.
Our story
Books should travel.We are developing an international exchange connecting organizations working with children in different countries.Participating communities will share carefully selected books and activities that introduce children to another country's stories, language and culture.The objective is not simply to move books across borders.It is to create encounters between children who may never meet.
Our mission
To expand children's access to books and reading opportunities while building international bridges that strengthen communities and children's literature.
Our vision
We envision a world where every child grows up surrounded by stories that inspire curiosity, reflect diverse identities and connect them with people beyond their own community.We want Bolivia to become a place where children's literature is not only read, but created, celebrated and exported to the world.
Our beneficiaries
Our primary beneficiaries are children aged 0 to 18 and the communities around them.Our programmes may involve families, educators, volunteers, authors, illustrators, publishers and local organizations because strong reading ecosystems require all of them.Adults may also develop leadership and organizational skills by taking responsibility within community-led programmes.
Our team
Daniela Aliendre
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Ana Balleta
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Javier Maldonado
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How we measure impact
We do not want to measure success simply by counting books.We will monitor indicators including:Childrenchildren reached;
participation;
reading engagement;
recurring participation.Accessbooks made available;
libraries and reading spaces supported;
communities reached.
Communityvolunteers mobilized;
volunteer retention;
locally led activities.LiteratureBolivian authors and illustrators supported;
works published;
translations;
creative opportunities generated.International bridgespartner organizations;
countries connected;
international exchanges;
collaborative projects.
What bridge could we build together?
Pequeños Puentes is built around collaboration.We are looking for organizations and individuals who can bring books, expertise, networks, ideas, funding and opportunities into the ecosystem.You don't need to fit into a predefined box.Tell us what you can bring. Together, we can decide what to build.
Find your place
📚 PublishersBook donations, publishing, rights, translations, affordable editions, authors, illustrators and international distribution.🏫 Schools & LibrariesReading programmes, international exchanges, correspondence projects, book collections and collaborative activities.🤝 NGOsJoint programmes, international exchanges, expertise, referrals and resource sharing.🏛 Institutions & EmbassiesCultural cooperation, literacy programmes, international relations and institutional support.🎓 UniversitiesResearch, evaluation, student projects, training and expertise.💼 CompaniesFunding, employee volunteering, logistics, technology, communications and in-kind contributions.✍️ Authors & IllustratorsWorkshops, mentoring, exchanges, storytelling, collaborative projects and publishing.🙋 IndividualsVolunteer, donate, share expertise, introduce us to someone or simply help our story travel.
Become a founding partner
Pequeños Puentes is at an unusual moment.The organization is young enough that partners joining today can genuinely influence what it becomes.Our first partners will not simply sponsor established programmes.They can help build them.
Support the mission
You can contribute through:funding;
books;
professional expertise;
logistics;
technology;
translation;
communications;
volunteering;
introductions and networks.Don't see your contribution listed?Good.Some of the best collaborations begin with an idea we had not considered.Tell us yours.
Contact us
Whether you’re an author, illustrator, translator, potential partner, donor, or a family interested in our work, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to collaborate, support our projects, submit a publishing proposal, or join the waiting list for our international children’s book exchange connecting families and stories across borders.
Thank you
Thank you for reaching out! Your message is on its way to us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.Until then, keep building bridges with us, one story at a time.