From September 15 to October 15th we celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month. Join us in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society by adding these Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month to your reading rotation.
Comment below with other new titles to help our readers
find new favorites for their bookshelves at home
and in the classroom!
• Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month •
A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language?
It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.
TIOS AND PRIMOS
Written and Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
Paletero Man meets Besos for Baby in this Spanish-English counting picture book that’s bursting with all the love, laughter, and chaos found at a large family gathering.
Sundays are the best: that’s when a little girl and her mamá, abuelitos, tías and primos all gather together to eat yummy menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. But when playtime with the cousins and family dogs gets out of hand and Abuelito Esteban’s special bowl of menudo breaks, everyone has to pitch in to make a new batch! Through all the menudo mishaps and sneaky snacks for perritos with wagging tails, young readers will giggle as they learn to count from 1-15 in Spanish and English. Bonus materials at the back of the book include a glossary of Spanish words, a note from the author, and tips for hosting your very own Menudo Sunday!
MENUDO SUNDAY
Written by María Dolores Águila and Illustrated by Erika Meza
Published by Dial Books
From an award-winning author comes a vibrant and heartwarming story of the bond between grandmother and grandchild, with a touch of Puerto Rican magic!
My abuela is a bruja.
There is magic in everything she does.There is nothing more magical than a grandmother's love. But one lucky girl suspects her grandmother has actual magic. It's in the tun-tun-tun of the way she dances salsa, in the warmth of her hugs, and the delicious smell of her cooking. The granddaughter wonders: will I have magic of my own one day?
Follow the magic in this heartfelt picture book that features extensive backmatter that includes two special recipes from Mayra Cuevas and uplifiting illustrations from Lorena Alvarez Gómez.
MY ABUELA IS A BRUJA
Written by Mayra Cuevas and Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
A girl and her dad move to a new town. And she’s determined to keep their traditions, no matter how busy Daddy is! A fun story about family, food, and good neighbors!
Every Friday, Emi and her Papi made churros for the entire familia. Now in their new apartment in the big city, Papi is always working, and there are no churros, and no familia, on Fridays. Until, Emi smells something sweet and delicious coming from her neighbor Señora Luisa’s apartment.
Emi has an idea! Maybe she can make churros after all, with a little help. From Señora Luisa, she can borrow flour. Tomas in 312 has sugar. Marisol in 512 has a piping tip. Soon Emi’s apartment is filled with the scent of fresh churros, new foods, and new friends!
A story of food and community, Fridays Are for Churros celebrates old traditions becoming new, and strangers becoming friends.
FRIDAYS ARE FOR CHURROS
Written and Illustrated by Jenny Alvarado
Published by Holiday House
I AM LA CHIVA! THE COLORFUL BUS OF THE ANDES
For fans of The Little Blue Truck, Red Truck and The Little Engine That Could, a rhyming ode to a colorful South American bus and the collective spirit of its people.
This joyful and rhyming picture book written by a debut author and illustrated by the beloved creator of Nightlights and Hicotea, follows the iconic bus, or chiva, as it navigates the rugged Andes mountains, celebrating the rich culture and landscape of Colombia that was so beautifully showcased in Disney's Encanto.
I AM LA CHIVA! THE COLORFUL BUS OF THE ANDES
Written by Karol Hernández and Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
Published by Scholastic/Dial Books
BETO'S BERRY TREASURE
Beto wants to play tea party with Cora, but his big sister just wants to be a pirate. To get Cora on board, Beto makes a map to a delicious hidden treasure. But Cora ends up in the wrong place! Will Cora find the treasure before Beto eats it all? A playful exploration of mapping, featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and a glossary of Spanish words.
Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.
BETO'S BERRY TREASURE
Written by Jenny Lacika and Illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
MARTINA HAS TOO MANY TIAS
A quiet girl overwhelmed by her rambunctious family finds a magical land of solitude only to discover what truly makes a home a home in this lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina.”
Martina does not like parties. Parties are full of tías with their flashy fashions and boom-and-bellow laughter that's too much for quiet Martina. At least with all that noise, no one notices when she slips away. She finds herself in a magical place: a warm, familiar island where she can finally play in peace and quiet. Martina is home at last–or is she?
MARTINA HAS TOO MANY TIAS
Written by Emma Otheguy and Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
SEÑORA SANASANA
Written in English-Spanglish (with a glossary included!), this charming and nostalgic book will transport readers back to their childhoods, evoking fond memories of a beloved Spanish-language nursery rhyme.
This delightful tale is sure to resonate with Spanish speakers from all corners of the Americas, who grew up hearing this familiar tune.Señora Sanasana offers a new lively character to the children's canon of beloved magical nannies and caregivers: a fashionable and kind Peruvian elder who is as fantastical as her llama companion, Llamita, and who is a cunning friend to the multicultural children and families of her high-rise apartment building.Señora Sanasana guides her neighbors through the ups and downs of childhood, and her magical apartment is a safe place for her community to play and learn. Along the way, readers will be introduced to a host of colorful characters, each with their own unique problems and ailments that Señora Sanasana helps to cure.As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves caught up in the rhythm and flow of the language, which is expertly crafted to evoke the musicality of the original nursery rhyme.The story, co-authored by father-daughter duo Ashlee Campbell and Duncan Campbell, and colorfully illustrated by April Evelyn Cooper, is written in uptempo verse and sprinkled with Spanish words and Peruvian references that reflect the authors' family heritage.From the catchy refrain of “Sanasana colita de rana” to the lilting verses that describe Señora Sanasana's healing magic, this book is a true celebration of the Spanish language and its many rich traditions.Whether you are a native Spanish speaker or simply love the beauty and poetry of the language, Señora Sanasana is a must-read book that will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and nostalgic for the simple joys of childhood.
SEÑORA SANASANA
Written by Ashlee Campbell and Duncan Campbell and Illustrated by April Evelyn Cooper
Published by Wheat Penny Press
ABUELA'S LIBRARY
Alfonso and Abuela love to spend Saturday afternoons finding books at the library and reading them together beneath their favorite oak tree. But when their beloved tree is cut down, can Alfonso transform the stump into something magical for their whole community–their very own neighborhood library?
This uplifting story from award-winning poet Lissette Norman and illustrator Jayri Gómez shows us how to turn an unexpected setback into a happy ending: one with a beautiful sky-blue door and shelves filled with books for everyone to enjoy.
ABUELA'S LIBRARY
Written by Lissette Norman and Illustrated by Jayri Gómez
Published by HarperCollins
• 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.
Connect with Bethany on Biracial Bookworms
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Some other wonderful titles for Hispanic Heritage Month include:
ABUELO, THE SEA, AND ME by Ismée Williams / Tatiana Gardel
my book ABUELITA AND I MAKE FLAN by Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom
OLD CLOTHES FOR DINNER by Nathalie Alonso
ABUELITA’S GIFT by Mariana Rios Ramirez / Sara Palacios
AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO by Judith Valdés B. / Carlos Velez Aguilera
IN THE GROVES by Andrea Cruz Floren
Thank you! We always enjoy getting suggestions from readers!