Picture Books for Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is about halfway over. But there’s still plenty of time to get some great books about Hispanic heritage and culture to read to your young children!
This wonderful picture book celebrates the love between fathers and sons. The book is written in English and Spanish, with the son speaking English and the father speaking Spanish. The book shares a day in their life, from waking up to going to bed.
The Tooth Fairy meets El Ratón Pérez by René Colato Laínez
The Tooth Fairy meets her Latin counterpart, El Ratón Pérez. El Ratón Pérez is brave and adventurous, and he wants Miguelito’s tooth. The problem is, so does the Tooth Fairy! Who will get the tooth?
In the bleak midwinter in New Mexico, men of the village dress up as scary old men and tease the children, asking if they’ve been good. The children dance and play around a bonfire. Everyone enjoys empanadas and cookies. New audiences will love learning about this traditional celebration.
Sebi and the Land of Cha Cha Cha by Roselyn Sanchez
During El Carnival Latino is here, and Sebi is ready to dance! Her mother says she is too young to take dance lessons. But a beautiful Cotorra bird beckons, and Sebi and her friend Keeketo go on an amazing dancing adventure!
Mexique: a refugee story from the Spanish Civil War by María José Ferrada
In 1937, hundreds of children are sent away from Spain to Mexico to escape the Spanish Civil War. The children are told they’ll be gone for a few months, but most didn’t return for years, because the man who took power after the war, Francisco Franco, was hostile toward their families. This is a story of displacement, refugees, heartbroken families, and hope.
Oye, Celia! a song for Celia Cruz by Katie Sciurba
Celebrate the musicality of Celia Cruz with this great book. A young girl calls out to Celia at an impromptu neighborhood party, then says all of the emotions she feels in Celia’s music. Lovers of Cruz as well as lovers of all types of music will love this lyrical book.
Spanish is the language of my family by Michael Genhart
A young boy participates in a school spelling bee, and needs help learning the words. He asks his abuela for help, and she shares her experience in school as a child, when she was told to only speak English. He celebrates that his family speaks both Spanish and English, and how great it is to be able to spell the words in both languages.
The coquíes still sing : a story of home, hope, and rebuilding by Karina Nicole González
The frogs sing “Co-qui!” in the trees, but a hurricane is coming, and Puerto Rico is no longer safe for Elena and her family. After the storm, their community rebuilds. Elena knows they’re on their way to recovery when the coquies come back and sing their song.
Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org.