From September 15 to October 15, families and classrooms around the world will be celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month-long period, individuals, teachers, parents, caregivers, leaders, and librarians will recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements. One of the best ways to expose kids to new cultures, traditions, and values is with books so we compiled a list of some of our favorite new Children’s Books for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month to share with you.
Be sure to comment below with other Hispanic Heritage Month books you recommend.
• Children’s Books for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month•
ISABEL AND HER COLORES GO TO SCHOOL
English, with its blustery blues and whites, just feels wrong to Isabel. She prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. As she prepares for class at a new school, she knows she’s going to have to learn–and she would rather not! Her first day is uncomfortable, until she discovers there’s more than one way to communicate with friends. This is a universal story about feeling new and making new friends.
ISABEL AND HER COLORES GO TO SCHOOL
Written by Alexandra Alessandri and Illustrated by Courtney Dawson
Published by Sleeping Bear Press
THE PIÑATA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN HUNG
This is the bilingual story of the farm maiden and her cadre of animals, who crafted a festive piñata for a surprise birthday party. A beautiful and lively companion to the award-winning The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred.
A young girl sets out on errands for the day, and while she’s gone, the farm maiden prepares a piñata from scratch with help from a boy, horse, goose, cat, sheep, and farmer. After they all fall asleep in the afternoon sun, they must scramble to finish preparations in time–just as the girl arrives back to her surprise party. Key English words change to Spanish as the cumulative verse builds to the celebratory ending. With the familiarity of “The House That Jack Built,” the tale cleverly incorporates Spanish words, adding a new one in place of the English word from the previous page. This book makes learning the language easy and fun. Back matter includes a glossary, definitions, and directions for making a piñata at home.
THE PIÑATA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN HUNG
Written by Samantha R. Vamos and Illustrated by Sebastià Serra
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
MOTHER OF SHARKS
Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree and globally renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez teams up with award-winning illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz to create an informative, powerful picture book. With lyrical writing and gorgeous art, this moving story explores Melissa’s personal journey from inquisitive ocean-loving child in Puerto Rico to becoming the Mother of Sharks.
As the sun sets over another gorgeous day at la Playita Del Condado in Puerto Rico, Meli doesn’t want to go home. She loves the ocean more than anything, and with only five minutes left at the beach, she knows exactly where her last stop should be: the tidal pools. They are small universes of their own teeming with critters and creatures of the ocean. While looking into the pools, she meets a crab, Jaiba, who takes her on a dreamlike underwater adventure, teaches her about the importance of shark conservation, and reveals Meli’s ultimate destiny: to become the Mother of Sharks.
Blending the autobiographical with the fantastical, Melissa Cristina Márquez shares her incredible story not only to dispel myths about these misunderstood creatures but also to pave the way for Latinas in STEM. Paired with Devin Elle Kurtz’s vibrant, emotive illustrations, this picture book is an irresistible journey through the wonders of the ocean and, above all, a rallying cry for marine conservation.
MOTHER OF SHARKS
Written by Melissa Cristina Márquez and Illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz
Published by Penguin Books
CANTORA:
Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America
Sing out! With a stunning, graphic style and a melodious text, this picture book tells the story of Latin American icon Mercedes Sosa and how she became the voice of a people from exile to triumph.
What if a voice became a symbol of justice?
I’m here to offer my heart, said that voice.The folk rhythm of the bombo drum beats like a heart, with a resonant voice singing the truth of her people. Mercedes Sosa sang about what it means to be human, and her songs of struggle always spoke the truth of the injustice that so many workers and families in Latin America faced.
As a teen, she won a local radio contest, and as her confidence grew, so did her fame. From a folk festival to Carnegie Hall and the Sistine Chapel, Mercedes performed the world over, sharing stories through song. But not everyone loved her singing: a military dictatorship ruled over Argentina, and they saw the power of her voice. Even from exile, Mercedes Sosa was a beacon of freedom for her people, and when she returned to her homeland, she persisted in her work: to be the voice of the voiceless.
Adding a personal touch as a fellow Argentinean, Melisa Fernández Nitsche fills her debut picture book with bright and breathtaking illustrations that will surely inspire and empower young readers as they read about the impact one person’s voice can have.
CANTORA: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America
Written and Illustrated by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ACROSS THE BAY
ACROSS THE BAY
Written and Illustrated by Carlos Aponte
Published by Penguin Books
Love this list and want more Hispanic Heritage Month book recommendations? Check out this resource:
Latino Kidlit Booklists for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy
specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
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