Mariana Ríos Ramírez is a Mexican author living in Anderson, South Carolina with her husband, two kids, and a Chihuahua dog named Rogers. She loves writing stories about diversity, kindness, friendship and perseverance; and she enjoys sharing elements of her culture, language, and traditions through her books.
Mariana has a degree in international business and an MBA degree by Tecnológico de Monterrey and Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, USA. Before becoming a children’s book author she worked as a high school teacher and co-owned an online business of party decorations.
Mariana is currently a member of SCBWI, Storyteller Academy, Las Musas, and Rate your Story. She's represented by Natascha Morris at The Tobias Literary Agency.
Santiago’s Dinosaurios is Mariana's debut picture book. It was published by Albert Whitman & Company in October 2022. The story was inspired by her son's experience when her family moved from México to the USA in 2016. Abuelita’s Gift: A Día de Muertos Story is Mariana's second picture book and it was published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in September 2024. It's based on the Mexican celebration of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and Mariana feels honored to share about this beautiful tradition in her country. A Spanish edition is also available (El regalo de abuelita: Un Cuento de Día de Muertos).
Besides writing, Mariana enjoys photography, singing, traveling, watching k-dramas, and spending time with family and friends. She also loves flowers, dogs, and Chai Lattes.
