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Books from Hispanic and Latinx Creators to Read for Hispanic Heritage Month

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From September 15 - October 15 every year we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in America! This month-long celebration is a chance to recognize the history, culture, and contribution of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to spotlight some amazing Hispanic and Latinx children's book creators with great books you should read!

You should read....

Vamos!: Let's Go to the Market
By Raúl The Third
Boston: Versify, 2019. Picture book.

This Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor book introduces young readers to the vibrant world of Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe in a Mexican-American border town. Like a bilingual Richard Scarry, the pages of this book are filled with amazing details that bring this world to life while also introducing Spanish vocabulary and Mexican-American cultural references.

And you should also check out these other great books from Raúl The Third!

Stroller Coaster by Matt Ringler, illustrated by Raúl The Third
Training Day by Raúl The Third
Lowriders in Space by Raúl The Third

You should read...

By Pam Muñoz Ryan
New York: Scholastic Press, 2000. Historical fiction.

In 1930, 13-year-old Esperanza Ortega and her mother must flee a life of wealth and luxury in Aguascalientes, Mexico to become laborers in Southern California farms. They must adjust to a new life of hardship as they face the harsh circumstances of Mexican farm workers at the beginning of the Great Depression. Despite it all, Esperanza and her mother become resilient.

And you should also check out these other great books from Pam Muñoz Ryan!

Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Echo: A Novel by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan

You should read...

By Duncan Tonatiuh
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015. Biography.

This picture book biography introduces young readers to the prolific Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada who is best remembered for his humorous calaveras images -- the well-dressed skeletons prominently featured in many Día de Muertos celebrations. This book offers a unique look at Mexican culture while also describing printmaking techniques like lithography, engraving, and etching. This book is a delight to read and informative as well.

And you should also check out these other great books from Duncan Tonatiuh!


You should read...

By Juana Martinez-Neal
Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2018. Picture book.

Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela is a little person with quite a big name! In fact, her name is so long that it never seems to fit -- she has to tape an extra paper on the page just to write her whole name! Alma's father sits her down to tell her the story of her name and the family history it represents. As she learns the story of her name, Alma realizes that her name fits perfectly. This story is brought to life by beautiful illustrations that represent Peru, where Juana Martinez-Neal was born.

And you should also check out these other books from Juana Martinez-Neal!

Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Niños by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

You should read...

By Eric Velasquez
New York: Holiday House, 2019. Picture book.

Our young narrator Ramsey makes a painting of Super Octo and inadvertently inspires his grandmother to make pulpo guisado, octopus stew. Ramsey is suspicious when the octopus they pick out at the store seems to still be alive, and his suspicions are confirmed when the octopus escapes from the pot, grows into a giant monster, and captures Ramsey's Grandma. Ramsey dons a cape to rescue his grandma from the giant octo-monster in this fabulously tall tale, that is revealed to be a figment of Ramsey's imagination that he is telling to his intergenerational Afro-Latinx family.

And you should also check out these other books from Eric Velasquez!

Beautiful Moon: A Child's Prayer by Tonya Bolden, illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Grandma's Gift by Eric Velasquez

This barely scratches the surface of amazing Hispanic and Latinx creators making books for children, do you have any favorites we didn't share?

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