Niños: Poems for the Lost Children of Chile (Stories from Latin America)

This book presents a collection of thirty-four poems, each dedicated to one of the children who disappeared or were killed during Augusto Pinochet's regime in Chile. It provides a stirring memorial to the young victims and reflects on the cost of political extremism. The poems explore the diverse hopes and dreams of these children, ranging from celebrating birthdays to observing the changing seasons and listening for new sounds. Accompanied by soft, pastel-toned illustrations, this collection serves as a poignant tribute to the lost lives and a reflection on a dark chapter in Chilean history. On September 11, 1973, a military coup plunged Chile into seventeen long years of dictatorial rule. Only the return of democracy could reveal the full horrors of Augusto Pinochet’s regime: 3,197 people dead or disappeared—including thirty-four children under the age of fourteen. This book is a stirring memorial to those victims and to the cost of extremism. Thirty-four poems—one for each child lost—consider the diverse hopes of these fragile young lives. From Alicia to Jaime, Héctor to Paola, Soledad to Rafael, they were brave and creative, thoughtful and strong. In these pages, some children watch for the changing seasons. Some listen for new sounds on rainy afternoons. And some can’t wait for their next birthday. Featuring gentle, emotive poems and soft, pastel-toned illustrations, Niños is an unforgettable tribute to the children of Pinochet’s Chile and all those threatened by political violence across the world.