Skip to main content

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

Image
By

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 RaĆŗl The Third
Boston: Versify, 2019. Picture book.

This Pura BelprĆ© 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 RaĆŗl The Third!

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

You should read...

By Pam MuƱoz 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 MuƱoz Ryan!

MaƱanaland by Pam MuƱoz Ryan
Echo: A Novel by Pam MuƱoz Ryan
Becoming Naomi LeĆ³n by Pam MuƱoz 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 JosĆ© Guadalupe Posada who is best remembered for his humorous calaveras images -- the well-dressed skeletons prominently featured in many DĆ­a 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 JosƩ 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 NiƱos 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?

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like...Ladybugs

By
Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

By
I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...
Post a Comment
Read more