Check out these great family reads representing diverse Latinx cultures and experiences. From classic novels to new stories to books profiling historical figures, these books are rich with examples for all kids to love and want to read with pride.
All Around Us
Written by Xelena González
Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia
Ages 3-5
Grandpa guides his granddaughter through the cycle of nature and the world around them. This mindful story will inspire conversations about how we connect with the world and each other. It is a lovely collaboration between the author and illustrator.
Winner of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor and American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honor
Favorite line: What we take from the earth, we return
Searching for Sancocho / En busca del sancocho
Written by Jamileth Brito, Mario Serrano
Illustrated by Yurieli Otero-Asmar
Ages 3-5
Aurora’s Abuela has passed away. When people bring food to help the family deal with their loss, Aurora can only think about the Dominican sancocho (a hearty stew native to Caribbean and Latin American cuisines) her Abuela would make. With the help of a magical bike, Aurora explores the origins of the delicious recipe and searches for the secret ingredient that will keep Abuela’s sancocho alive. Searching for Sancocho / En busca del sancocho is a sweet story about love, loss, grief and keeping cultural connections alive.
Favorite line: Abuela, what is the secret ingredient? Hija, the secret ingredient is love.
The Ofrenda That We Built
Written by Jolene Gutiérrez & Shaian Gutiérrez
Illustrated by Gabby Zapata
Ages 3-5
Traditions are moments and acts that bind us together and keep culture and connection alive. This vibrant book centers itself around the tradition of the Day of the Dead, a multi-day holiday celebrated in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage around the world. It shows us how an ofrenda, a home altar celebrating our ancestors, is built. It is written in a House that Jack Built-style rhyme.
Favorite line: There are the candles, glowing and bright, that welcome our ancestors in from the night.
Nacho and Lolita
Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Ages 4-8
This book by celebrated author Pam Muñoz Ryan is a beautifully written love story. Nacho, the only bird of his kind left, finds friendship, companionship and love with Lolita. The emotional journey of this beautiful bird and his soulmate will surely tug at your heartstrings. Get ready to pull out the tissue!
Favorite line: When Spring poked its head into February, the vines held buds that promised returning blossoms. All that from one feather.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Illustrated by Paola Escobar
Ages 4-8
Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New York Public Library system, made her mark on our culture by championing education. This book is a valuable resource that introduces children to the important work of the librarians who keep us informed and expose us to new ideas and opportunities.
Favorite line: Now, a new island stretches before her–ripe for planting seeds of the cuentos she carries.
Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built
Written by Angela Burkel Kunkel
Illustrated by Paola Escobar
Ages 4-8
One person’s garbage is another’s treasure. Learn how a Colombian garbage collector in Bogota created a “paradise” for the people of his community, one book at a time.
Favorite line: A few pages to read, a few hours to dream and then it is a new day.
Turning Pages: My Life Story
By Sonia Sotomayor
Illustrated by Lulu Delacre
Ages: 4-8
Read about the life of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina United States Supreme Court Justice. It focuses on key moments in her life and how books and storytelling were so important to her and ultimately influenced her career as a lawyer and judge.
Available in English and Spanish
Favorite line: I didn’t know how to read yet, but written words, I discovered, were electrical currents that jolted feelings to life.
Fearless Trailblazers: 11 Latinos who made U.S. History
By Naibe Reynoso
Illustrated by Jone Leal
Ages 5-8
This book is part of the Con Todos Press Little Biographies for Bright Minds™ series written by Reynoso and illustrated by Jone Leal. By presenting the biographical stories of outstanding Latinx leaders and heroes in rhyming verse, young readers will easily follow their journey to success in both English and Spanish. Plus, there’s a wonderful surprise at the end.
Check out the other companion books:
- Be Bold! Be Brave! / ¡Sé audaz, sé valiente! 11 Latinas who made U.S. History
- Courageous History Makers: 11 Women from Latin America Who Changed the World
Esperanza Rising
Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Ages 9-12
This one may sound familiar! It is about a young Mexican girl named Esperanza. After facing tragedy on her family’s ranch in Mexico, she is forced to flee to California with her mother during the Great Depression. The novel is loosely based on the experiences of the author’s grandmother.
The critically acclaimed book is often used in schools to teach about Mexican-American history and coming-of-age stories. Revisit it or discover it for the first time with your child.
Favorite line: Our land is alive, Esperanza. You can only hear the earth’s heartbeat when you are still and quiet.
Invisible
By Christina Gonzalez
Illustrated by Gabriela Epstein
Ages 10-12
Five students are forced to do community service. They think they have nothing in common except that everyone sees them as the same…Spanish-speaking kids. Will they risk the “convenience” of “being middle school invisible” to help someone in need?
Inspiration from the classic 1980s movie The Breakfast Club and great illustrations set in a bilingual graphic novel format make this a good one to read with your child.
Favorite line: What could I possibly have in common with any of them?
Read more from The Ovia Bookshelf!
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