Switch Up Storytime With These Entertaining Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month
Switch Up Storytime With These Entertaining Children's Books for Hispanic Heritage Month
A time to celebrate rich history, incredible contributions, and a kaleidoscope of cultures, Hispanic Heritage Month happens every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Initially created in 1968 to be a weeklong celebration, it was expanded into a monthlong commemoration to honor all of the spectacular customs, traditions, and heritages.
The holiday celebrates the Spanish-speaking diaspora all over the world, highlighting the diverse beauty of the community. One way to do this as a parent is to immerse yourself and your children in the cultures through the written word. And there are some truly amazing children's books out there by authors of the diaspora worthy of your time and money.
The books on this list are books your family will grow to cherish during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.
1) ‘Chicano Jr’s Mexican Adventure’ by Raúl Jiménez
Independent
amazon.com
$9.99
Chicano Jr. is an American-born kid with a rich Mexican culture that he is proud of. For the very first time, he is going to visit the birthplace of his heritage and can't wait! Your little one will join Chicano Jr. on his adventure in this bilingual tale of discovering where his lineage comes from.
More: 16 Books With Asian and Pacific Islander Lead Characters That Your Kids Will Love
2) Say It With Me (Dilo conmigo)
amazon.com
$12.99
Dilo conmigo...say it with us, this book is a tender exploration of how we teach our children to think about themselves, written in beautiful dual-language Spanish and English prose. Say it With Me by Nancy Torres is a beautiful introspective picture book that benefits the parent as much as the child.
3) Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
amazon.com
$14.99
A middle-grade poetry book filled with the stories of hispanic people who made their mark on history. Beautifully-written and illustrated, Bravo by Margarita Engle doesn't shy away from hard topics like racism and abuse, but manages to do it in a way that is digestible for middle schoolers.
4) Carmela Full of Wishes
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
amazon.com
$14.39
Who doesn't remember the first taste of freedom from parental supervision? In Carmela, Full of Wishes by Matt De La Pena, readers follow Carmela on her birthday as she is finally allowed to go with her brother through their neighborhood, interacting with friends, and discovering the small joys of growing up.
5) ‘Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes’ by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Chronicle Books
amazon.com
$6.99
Tortillas are round and quesadillas are triangular, but what shape is an ice cream cart? Your tot will love learning their shapes with Latino-inspired objects and foods. With rhyming text and darling illustrations, your kiddo will be a shape expert.
6) ‘Too Many Tamales’ by Gary Soto
Puffin Books
amazon.com
$7.23
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and Maria is making tamales with her mama. When her favorite cousins come over to gather for Christmas Eve, Maria sneaks away to try on her mama's shiny diamond ring. Suddenly, all of the cousins realize that the ring is lost in the tamales and they have to depend on their appetites to eat themselves out of trouble.
7) ‘Dreamers’ by Yuyi Morales
Neal Porter Books
amazon.com
$8.99
Based on Yuyi Morales’ own experience as an immigrant, Dreamers celebrates the glorious and brave journey that immigrants make, and the incredible gifts that they give to their new homes.
Highlighting the importance of sacrifice and hope, this book will help open up the conversation about immigration in a gentle and heartfelt way. Filled with eye-catching illustrations, the story reminds readers that we are all dreamers in search of better tomorrows.
8) ‘Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses’ by Jen Arena
LB Kids
amazon.com
$7.99
Everyone wants to give the baby besos, and after reading this bilingual board book, you'll want to give your little sweetie one, too. A perfect way to introduce your tot to simple Spanish words that they can practice on their own, this will be your little one's favorite bedtime story.
9) ‘Lucía the Luchadora’ by Cynthia Leonor Garza
Pow! Kids Books
amazon.com
$13.79
In Lucía’s mind, she is a playground-defending superhero and has the cape to prove it. But when a boy tells her that girls can't be superheroes, Lucía feels like she isn't as mighty as she thought. When she comes home pouting, her abuela reminds her that she comes from a long line of valiant and triumphant luchadoras, Mexican women of the lucha libre tradition.
Lucía heads back to the playground with a new costume and a restored confidence knowing that her superpowers have been handed down to her from her fearless ancestors.
10) ‘If Dominican Were a Color’ by Sili Recio
Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
amazon.com
$16.14
Fr0m the people to the intricate pieces that create a vivid culture, the Dominican Republic is colorful and vibrant. A celebration of a magnificent heritage, this children's book will give your little one so much appreciation for this dynamic island.
11) ‘Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble’ by Anna Meriano
Walden Pond Press
amazon.com
$7.79
Leonora Logro?o has just discovered a huge family secret about her mom and her four aunts — they’re brujas! That explains why they won't let her help out with baking the treats for the big Dia de los Muertos festival.
Once Leo finds out that she is a bruja by birth, she decides that she is going to sharpen her spell-casting skills without the help of her family. Your tween will have to read the book to find out if her spell is a supreme work of magic or a total mess.
12) ‘All the Way to Havana’ by Margarita Engle
Henry Holt and Co.
amazon.com
$17.99
While driving through the beautiful streets of Cuba, a boy and his family take in all of the vibrant sights. From the hip-swaying sounds to the alluring aroma of fresh food, there is so much for your kiddo to experience through the eyes of the family as they make their way to Havana.
13) ‘Esperanza Rising’ by Pam Mu?oz Ryan
Scholastic Press
amazon.com
$5.94
Esperanza is born into privilege and loves the life she lives on her family's Mexican ranch. From servants to an endless rotation of fancy, frilly dresses, she has the dream life — that is, until a tragedy completely turns her life upside-down. After fleeing to California with her mother, she has to reconcile her new life on a farm labor camp during America's Great Depression.
As if financial troubles and living in a strange land isn't hard enough, Esperanza's mom is sick and a protest has broken out demanding better work conditions. She has to decide what to do for herself and their future.
14) ‘Be Bold! Be Brave! 11 Latinas Who Made U.S. History’ by Naibe Reynoso
amazon.com
$16.89
Some of the greatest discoveries, advances, and inventions in America can be attributed to Latinas. With a fun rhyming pattern, this book will introduce your kiddo to these incredible trailblazers. Written in both English and Spanish, your child can enjoy the title both ways.
15) ‘Alma and How She Got Her Name’ by Juana Martinez-Neal
Candlewick Press (MA)
amazon.com
$15.99
In her opinion, Alma thinks that she has far too many names. How many people can you think of who have six different names?
When she asks her daddy about it, he teaches her about her many namesakes. A wonderful tale about heritage and family, it turns out that Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela is the perfect name after all.
16) ‘Kitchen Dance’ by Maurie J. Manning
Clarion Books
amazon.com
$13.59
Something has woken a little girl up from her sleep. Along with her baby brother, they head downstairs to take a look, and to their surprise, they find their mom and dad swaying to music and dancing in the kitchen. With lyrical poetry, every page in this book is upbeat and bright.
17) ‘Pepe and the Parade: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage’ by Tracey Kyle
Little Bee Books
amazon.com
$15.29
It's Hispanic Heritage Month, and Pepe and his Papi are ready to celebrate at the festival and parade. Excited to share his culture, Pepe also can't wait to enjoy the different foods and music and meet all of the new people as he celebrates his heritage.
18) ‘Octopus Stew’ by Eric Velasquez
Holiday House
amazon.com
$11.99
Ramsey's grandmother is making octopus stew, but in the middle of preparing the meal, the octopus blows up to the size of the Titanic. Before Ramsey can warn her, it's too late.
An ode to family, heroism, and tasty Puerto Rican cuisine, this book contains a unique twist: The reader can choose between two possible endings.
?Fantástico!