Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, two first-generation Latina mothers, saw a need in children’s books for the Latino community. Taking matters into their own hands, they founded Lil’ Libros in 2014 and have grown their company to become the #1 family-trusted bilingual brand.
Lil’ Libros
Lil’ Libros has now sold more than 1.5 million books worldwide, and it’s growing year by year. Each of their “lil” books celebrates the American-Latino experience, creating books for young readers that reflect their community’s identity, culture, traditions, and history.
“As mothers and women of color, we want to teach our children our language, our culture, and our stories,” the two explain on their WeFunder profile. “Yet, in 2020, only 6.1% of books focused on Latinx characters. Lil’ Libros was created to fill that void. Lil’ Libros was created to fill that void, and we want to share our mission with YOU! Together, we have the power to transform this industry.”
Some of their top selling books include titles featuring influential Latinos like Frida Kahlo, Selena, Dolores Huerta, and more.
Through the crowdfunding platform WeFunder, the entrepreneur moms created an investment structure that not only gave the duo a chance to grow their brand, but also offered equity in the community. “Until recently, our community wasn’t able to invest in start-ups because only the wealthiest were legally allowed,” the pair wrote on Instagram. “However, now with recent law changes, even your abuelita can INVEST!”
“Let’s create content that is reflective of our children’s culture and life experiences. Let’s give parents the access to resources their children need to succeed in a global society.”
Currently, the WeFunder is up to $2.3 million dollars! The power of the Latino dollar is still an untapped market, and Lil’ Libros may have just changed the game for Latino entrepreneurs seeking similar investments in the community.
