20 Best Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
As kids grow up they learn more about the world around them. They also learn more about themselves and or their classmates’ heritage as this is a big part of growing into their own identity and connecting with their community.
Celebrating Hispanic heritage teaches kids that their culture is something to take pride in and commemorate as a part of who they are.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month this year, with educational kids books that will have your kids learn about Hispanic heritage in a fun engaging way.
Looking to celebrate? Check out Family-Friendly Hispanic Heritage Month Events
The Life of – La Vida De Selena by Ariana Stein
Age: Newborn- 4
Teach your kid about one of the most iconic Latin music singers of our time, Selena Quintanilla! This simplified bilingual book will convey her inspiring biography in an easy-to-understand and relatable way.
They will learn about her favorite food, pizza, and who she cherished the most in the world: her family and fans.
Chicano Jr’s Mexican Adventure by Raúl Jiménez
Age: 3-8
Chicano is a young boy visiting Mexico for the first time to see his family. Follow his adventure, his cultural shock, and escapades in traveling!
This bilingual children’s book can help your kid study language while learning about Mexican culture through the eyes of a Mexican-American kid. The book is bright, colorful, and eye-catching!
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Age: 4-8
With lyrical text, brief autobiographical essays, and detailed illustrations, this picture book memoir looks at the gifts migrants bring as they move to a new country.
It is a story of the things you always hold on to no matter where you go: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes, and your history. A Spanish language version, called Soñadores, is also available.
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You By Sonia Sotomayor
Age: 4-8
Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, writes a book encouraging kids to ask questions and embrace their own uniqueness.
The story follows her childhood story of being diagnosed with diabetes and other kids with different struggles as they all work to build a community garden.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juan Martinez -Neal
Age: 4-8
When learning how to write her name, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela discovers just how many stories of her ancestors are packed into it and learns just how perfect her name is for her.
This book does a great job of explaining to kids the uniqueness of names and will be sure to leave them asking similar questions about their own names.
Where Are You From?/ ¿De dónde eres? By Yamile Saied Méndez
Age: 4-8
Being asked “where are you really from” can be a startling question for kids.
This lyrical picture book tells a story of a young girl who isn’t sure how to answer this constantly asked question, and by asking her Abuelo and receiving an unexpected answer, she learns about self-acceptance, identity, and belonging.
Pepe and the Parade: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage by Tracey Kyle
Age: 4-8
Join Pepe goes to the Hispanic Day Parade with many of his friends for a grand celebration of culture and identity.
With so many cultures such as Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Cuban represented at the parade, kids can see their own traditions and arts illustrated in a fun celebration of their heritage.
Waiting for Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Age: 5-8
Ana, a Colombian girl who loves reading but only has access to a few books in her small village meets a traveling librarian.
With more books than she can dream of, she is even encouraged to create her own! This story incorporates a few Spanish words which make it great for a read-aloud and teaches the universal value of reading.
I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez
Age: 8-12
Laurie Hernandez made a name for herself as an Olympic gymnast. Read her story, following her journey and exploring her love for her family, her intense training, her triumphs and the sacrifices she made along the way
How Tia Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez
Age: 9-12
Miguel meets his quirky charismatic Tiá Lola who arrives from the Dominican Republic to help his Mami after his parent’s divorce.
His tiá seems to weave a magical spell of love that Miguel and his family desperately needed. Miguel learns to love his eccentric tiá and appreciate his experience of living in two cultures.
Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight by Duncan Tonatiuh
Age: 12 and up
Perfect for older kids, Undocumented tells the story of Juan, a hard-working immigrant from Mexico that came to the U.S without papers.
Exploited and underpaid as a busboy, he risks everything to stand up for himself and his community. This inspiring tale will teach kids about the injustice of exploitation, the bravery and strength of immigrants, and the importance of standing up for yourself and others.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Age: 13 and up
Xiomara Batista feels unheard in her home in Harlem– until she discovers slam poetry. She uses this new tool as a way to make sense of her space in the world.
After she’s invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she’ll attend and perform her poems without her mother finding out. Enjoy the debut novel from well-known slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.
Coquí in the City by Nomar Perez
Age: preschool – 7
Experience the heartfelt story of a boy moving from Puerto Rico to New York City, discovering unexpected similarities between the two. Join Miguel as he navigates the challenges of a new city while finding ways to keep his Puerto Rican roots alive.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Ages: 4-8
Planting stories is about Pura Belpré, an inspiring storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian. It highlights her journey from bringing cuentos folklóricos from her Puerto Rican homeland to championing bilingual literature at the New York Public Library. The book celebrates her legacy through elegant illustrations and lyrical text, making it perfect for readers of all ages.
Vámonos Series by Lil’ Libros
Ages: 2-5
The Lil’ Libros Vámonos Series introduces kids to significant cities in Latin American countries using beautiful illustrations, important aspects of the various cultures, and walk through the streets of some historic latin cities.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
Ages: 4-8
My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a heartwarming story about a father and daughter’s bond in a changing immigrant neighborhood, beautifully illustrated and filled with a heartfelt story full of culture, making it a touching tribute to cherished memories amidst change.
My Two Border Towns by David Bowles
Ages: 4-8
The book “My Two Border Towns” by David Bowles, with illustrations by Erika Meza, tells the story of a boy’s life on the U.S.-Mexico border as he visits The Other Side/El Otro Lado with his father. They spend time with family and friends, engaging with their community. The book depicts their weekend ritual, highlighting the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the border.
Sana, sana, colita de rana by Citlali Reyes
Ages: 4-8
Tina hurts herself while playing and starts doubting her dream of becoming a great wrestler after her brother tells her that girls can’t be good wrestlers. However, with the help of her plush sidekick, Tina learns that with a little love and support, girls can do anything. The story introduces the idea of standing up when feeling down, and it is available in both English and Spanish.
A Crown for Corina by Laekan Zea Kemp
Ages: 4-8
This story is about a girl named Corina who is celebrating her birthday and wants to wear a flower crown with flowers from her grandmother’s garden. Each flower in the crown represents a special story about Corina’s connection to her family. The book is beautifully illustrated and shares the tradition of the Mexican flower crown, weaving in themes of self-discovery and symbolism.
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña
Ages: 3-6
Carmela celebrates her birthday by joining her big brother on errands. During their journey, they discover a lone dandelion, prompting Carmela to make a wish. This heartwarming picture book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson celebrates family, dreams, and finding hope in unexpected places with its beautiful artwork and captivating storytelling.
