Picture Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
March is designated as National Reading month in the United States. This month honors the birthday of Dr. Seuss and encourages readers of all ages to read everyday. Here is a collection of picture books that celebrate Hispanic heritage with inspiring stories from the Latino culture.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated between September 15 and October 15 of each year. What better way to honor Hispanic culture and history with kids than with picture books? We’ve rounded up informative and inspiring books to recognize the wide range of voices and stories within Hispanic and Latino culture — from biographies to folktales, there’s something great for every young reader amongst these fiction and nonfiction reads.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña
Daisy Ramona loves her daily motorcycle rides with her papi around their Southern California town. There are so many familiar faces and sights in their community, from their librarian shopping for groceries to the lively murals around town that celebrate their Mexican-American history. Daisy also can't help but notice the changes in her community - but she knows what (and who) she can hold on to through times of change.
Carmela Full of Wishes
by Matt de la Peña
Author-illustrator team Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson are back with their first collaboration since the Newbery Medal- and Caldecott Honor-winning Last Stop on Market Street. When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, she's excited to finally be old enough to run the family errands with her big brother. And when she finds a dandelion right outside the laundromat, her brother reminds her she'll have to make a wish before blowing it out. But how will she decide what to wish for? This poignant picture book takes a look at life in a young girl's Hispanic community.
Turning Pages
by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre
If your family doesn't know the life story of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina Supreme Court Justice, this picture book autobiography is a must-read. Although her childhood involved grief and difficulty, which included her father's death and her diagnosis of diabetes, Sotomayor found inspiration and comfort in books. Here, she passes on that love for reading while giving us a glimpse of life in public service. For middle grade readers eager to learn more, pick up a copy of The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor.
Mango, Abuela, and Me
by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Mia is thrilled when her grandmother, who has always lived far away, comes to stay with Mia and her family. Mia soon finds out her Abuela (grandmother) doesn’t speak English, but over time they teach one another their native languages and form a close bond. Families will love reading the English and Spanish words that make up this sweet cross-generational story about a young girl getting to know her grandmother.
La Princesa and the Pea
by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
A Peruvian reimagining of The Princess and the Pea, this one is sure to become a read-aloud favorite. La Princesa must prove that she's of royal makings if she wants to impress her potential mother-in-law, a stern-looking queen who walks around the palace with a mean cat in her hat. The mixed-media artwork and vibrant backdrop combine with rhyming text in Spanish and English to give the classic fairy tale a Latinx twist.
Just Ask!
by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
In this encouraging picture book, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor uses her own experience as a child diagnosed with diabetes to write a story about kids who have all different challenges. As the children work together to build a community garden, they get to know each other — and how they are different — by asking questions. Sotomayor encourages readers to do the same, and to embrace the things that make us wonderfully unique.
The Day of the Dead / El Dia de Los Muertos
by Bob Barner
For little ones who fell in love with the wondrous world of Coco (and really, who didn't?), keep the fun going year-round with this bilingual celebration of el Día de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead! With marigold petals and song and dance, one family welcomes their beloved ancestors home on this festive holiday.
Read more: https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-celebrate-hispanic-heritage/