Leo Politi (1908-1996, Los Angeles, CA) was a Los Angeles native and was part of a group of artists whose work sought to make children’s books more inclusive. The child of immigrants himself, he was particularly inspired by the Mexican-American community, and his 1938 debut, Little Pancho, was published in both English and Spanish and tells the story of a brave and determined Mexican-American boy. Politi often drew while sitting in downtown Los Angeles and his books feature children from all corners of the city, illustrating lasting scenes of Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights, and South L.A.