Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month

By Isabel Quintero | Illustrated by Zeke Peña

This was one of our favorite picture books of 2019 (it also won a lot of prestigious awards!). Hop on the back of a motorcycle with Daisy Ramonaz and her Papi - it's a really fun ride!

By Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma has six names, which feels likes way too many for such a small girl. However, when her father explains where all of her names come from, she realizes just how special her name really is. A really lovely Caldecott Honor book.

By Beth Ferry | Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

We love this hilarious picture book about a grumpy old sea captain who wants his new neighbors to GO AWAY. The sea, however, keeps foiling his plans to get rid of them. One of our favorites!

By Anika Aldamuy Denise | Illustrated by Paola Escobar

This is a phenomenal non-fiction picture book about New York City's first Puerto Rican librarian, Pura Belpré. This is a must read book!

By Yuyi Morales

This is another favorite book at our house. When a mother and her young child come to the U.S., they have a very challenging time because they don't speak English. But, when they discover the public library, everything changes for them.

It's a beautiful story, based on the author's own experiences, with truly stunning illustrations. This one picked up a lot of awards and it's easy to see why.

By Margarita Engle | Illustrated by Rafael López

This is the wonderful true story of Teresa Carreño who came to the U.S. from Venezuela and was already an accomplished musician and composer at the age of six. After the death of Lincoln's son, Teresa goes to play for him at the White House.

Beautifully illustrated and winner of the Pura Belpré award.

By Mitali Perkins | Illustrated by Sara Palacios

This is a really touching story about a family traveling to the border between Mexico and California to see their Grandmother through the fence for Christmas. It's a beautiful story about family and the challenges of living on opposite sides of a wall. Highly recommend this one!

By Angela Burke Kunkel | Illustrated by Paolo Escobar

This is a really wonderful Hispanic Heritage picture book inspired by the life of Jose Alberto Guiterrez, a garbage collector in Colombia who started a library after finding a discarded book on his garbage route.

By Margarita Engle | Illustrated by Sara Palacios

A rhythmic read aloud about a girl who loves to visit her Abuelo in Cuba and help him sell his fruit at a roadside stand. Wonderful book!

By Lucky Diaz | Illustrated by Micah Player

This bright, colorful book is a lot of fun! If your kids get as excited as mine do when they hear the sound of an ice cream truck in the neighborhood, then they'll fall head over heels for this delightful book!

By Carmen Lomas Garza

This is an autobiographical picture book by the painter Carmen Lomas Garza. It's a beautiful depiction of her childhood growing up in a traditional Mexican-American community in Kingsville, Texas. This is one my kids have read time and again!

By Meg Medina | Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Evelyn Del Rey and Daniela are best friends. They live in apartments right across from each other and they spend every day together . . . until Evelyn moves away.

This is such a wonderful book about friendship, moving, and change. Highly recommend!

By Raul the Third III

This fun picture book is written comic-book style and features Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe as they deliver supplies through a richly illustrated marketplace. So fun for kids!

By Yuyi Morales

This gorgeous book features two deer, a mother deer and her fawn, journeying through the Mexico - U.S. borderlands, with symbolic references to the pain the border-wall inflicts.

By David Bowles | Illustrated by Erika Meza

On Saturday mornings, a boy and his father travel across the U.S. border into Mexico. to check in with friends and drop off supplies. It's a warm and hopeful book with bright, colorful illustrations.

By Yamile Saied Mendez | Illustrated by Kate Alizadeh

When a little girl is faced with the question, "What will you be when you grow up?" she turns to her abuela for help imagining all the possibilities. A really sweet story!

By Sili Recio | Illustrated by Brianna McCarthy

This is a fun rhyming picture book with bright, beautiful illustrations that celebrate the Dominican Republic.

By Yamile Saied Mendez | Illustrated by Jaime Kim

A young girl is constantly being asked "Where are you from?" and she's never quite sure exactly how to answer. But, when she asks her Abuelo for help, he gives her a very surprising response!

This is a powerful and lyrical book about self-acceptance and identity, and the grandparent - grandchild relationship it centers around is so inspiring.

By Marsha Diane Arnold | Illustrated by Angela Dominguez

This is a fun bilingual story inspired by the childhood of Valentina Cruz, a biologist and naturalist who has devoted her life to the preservation of the Galapagos islands. The text is in both English and Spanish!

By Junot Diaz | Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

When Lola's teacher asks everyone in class to draw a picture of where they're from, Lola isn't excited. She can't remember the island where she was born. Luckily her friends and family are able to share their memories with her and help her imagine the beautiful island ( The Dominican Republic) where she immigrated from.

By Susan Middleton-Elya | Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

This is a fun Latino twist on the classic Princess and the Pea story. A great read aloud book!

By Meg Medina | Illustrated by Angela Dominguez

When Mia's Abuela moves in with her family, there is a language barrier - Mia doesn't speak much Spanish and her Abuela doesn't speak much English. One day, Mia brings home a parrot from the pet shop with hopes that it will help her bridge the gap. In the end, they learn to communicate all the most important things.

By Areli Morales | Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

When Areli was just a baby, her parents moved from Mexico to New York to make a better life for their family. When Areli is five, her parents send for her. She is happy to be reunited with her family, but she misses Mexico and it's hard to adjust to the big city.

This is an excellent true story from an actual DACA recipient.

By Magarita Engle | Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

This poetic book was inspired by the childhood of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers. It's a beautiful read aloud book and winner of the Pura Belpre Award.

By Yuyi Morales

This is a really fun story about a little boy wrestling imaginary monsters Lucha Libre style. So much fun to read aloud!

By Margarita Engle | Illustrated by Mike Curato

This was one of our favorite books in 2017. It's a phenomenal story featuring the old classic cars in Havana. It makes a wonderful read aloud book!

By Monica Brown | Illustrated by John Parra

This is an excellent introduction to the famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, one of the world's most influential painters.

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong | Illustrated by John Parra

This is a fun rhyming book about shapes, with a Latino twist. Excellent for really young kids. Plus, if you enjoy this one, the same author also has a book about colors, and a book about numbers.

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong | Illustrated by Carles Ballesteros

This is a magical book all about the Dia De Los Muertos holidays, with wonderful illustrations!

By Alexandria Giardino | Illustrated by Felicita Sala

Pablo Neruda was a very famous Chilean poet. Not only is this book an absolute work of art, it's a great way to introduce Neruda to kids.

By Michael Genhart | Illustrated by Loris Lora

Tamales at Christmas are one of our favorite traditions here in New Mexico, so we really appreciate this delicious picture book about a family tradition of making Tamales for Christmas.

By Silvia Lopez | Illustrated by Paolo Escobar

Selena was an inspiration to Latina girls everywhere. This book is a beautiful tribute to her extraordinary life.

By Ana Siqueira | Illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez

This is a cute and relatable book about a young girl who really wants to figure out what she's good at. Her brother plays the piano, her sister is good at gymnastics, but what is Bella good at. Luckily she has a wise abuela to help her figure it out!

By Flavia Z. Drago

We bought this book last year and probably read it a hundred times in October and November. It's about a shy ghost who really has trouble making friends. But, as Day of the Dead approaches, he decides he finally needs to make a move. So cute!

By Nomar Perez

A really cute book about a young boy, his frog, and life in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Bright and colorful, great for young kids too!

By Donna Barba Higuera | Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo

Ramon recently moved and he's nervous about his first day at a new school and can't sleep. El Cuycuy is a monster who lives in a cactus pot in Ramon's room and he's scared about being in a new place too. It's a sweet book about changes, new beginnings, and the comfort of friendship.