LOS ANGELES - s4story -- Empowering Latino Futures (ELF) has announced that children's author Ms. Carla Martilotti is the proud recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Best Illustrated Fiction Book for Children presented by the prestigious International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) during their 25th annual awards ceremony.

The ILBA ceremony was held October 21st in Los Angeles and, per usual, was a huge undertaking by all involved. More than 900 books from 249 finalists submitted from around the world were reviewed by 221 judges and placed in 111 different categories. All of the submissions were written in Spanish, Portuguese and English, and each category had three seperate winners: The Gold, Bronze and Silver Awards.

Ms. Martilotti's submission was for "El Mundo Magico de Mishi," one of more than a dozen children's books the author has written during the past 30 years in both English and Spanish. It tells the story of Mishi the cat who wanders into her backyard one day, only to discover a land of fantasy and fun populated by fairies, talking trees and turtles, among other things.

This year's ceremony brought together various luminaries, authors, publishers and book-lovers to celebrate excellence in Latino literature, and categories included Children, Young Adults, Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, among others.

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In making their decision to award Ms. Martilotti the Gold, the judges wrote, "Excellent book for reading beginner kids. I love the richness in its vocabulary, and how it helps cultivate the readers mind."

Ms. Martilotti said via telephone from her home in Miami that she is "proud beyond words" for receiving this highly distinguished award.

"Just to have been nominated by this incredible organization that has done so much to promote Latin diversity and culture was an immense honor," Ms. Martilotti said. "To have won the Gold is the best distinction that I could have ever received. It is awe-inspiring to be recognized by an organization that has done so much to promote the Latino experience to readers in all countries.

"I've always loved writing books for children in both English and Spanish, and this recognition is just so beautiful. I'd also like to congratulate all of the nominees for doing their part in promoting the Latin experience. Each and every one of you deserve recognition for telling your stories to the world."

Ms. Martilotti's books have been a mainstay on Amazon.com for quite a few years, and can be found here.

The ILBA, co-founded by renowned Mexican-American actor, producer and director Edward James Olmos, has grown to become one of the largest Latino literary and cultural awards events in the United States. Its primary focus is to honor outstanding authors and publishers who have made remarkable contributions to Latino literature.

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In a written statement, Mr. Olmos said, "Since co-founding ELF and the first Latino Book and Family Festival, which led to the creation of the International Latino Book Awards, I am continually amazed by the richeness of literature in the Latino community. It is a story too little known and shared. Everyone should know about these books. This year's awards are especially exciting because it is our 25th year, and I look forward to seeing everyone at this accomplishment for ELF -- and for these authors."

Previous ILBA-winning authors (among many others) include Paulo Coelho, whose novel The Alchemist became an international best seller and has since published about 30 more books; American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century; Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian journalist and former politician; and Rudolfo Anaya, wrote Bless Me, Ultima, in 1972. Anaya is considered one one of the founders of the canon of contemporary Chicano and New Mexican Literature.

Please send any interview requests and other correspondence to Ms. Martilotti's agent: eric@theliteraryagents.net.