Family Life Fun Entertainment Books 26 Best Books for Latino Kids These children's books celebrate hispanic culture in unique, wonderful ways. Discover your child's new favorite read in our list suggested by First Book, a nonprofit that provides new books and educational resources to children in need. By Parents Editors Published on October 19, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Jeffrey Westbrook 01 of 24 Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López Raising a feminist? Boys and girls will love this true story about a young musician who wants to play the drums but isn't allowed because of the taboo against female drummers prevalent in 1930s Cuba. Not one to be deterred, she must convince her father to let her play if she's going to follow her heart. Ages 3 to 8 Price at time of publication: $30 02 of 24 Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Selected and illustrated by Lulu Delacre Perfect for bedtime snuggles, these bilingual lullabies are from different Latin-American countries. Ages birth to 3 Price at time of publication: $10 for mp3 album 03 of 24 Quinito's Neighborhood / El Vecindario de Quinito Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Ina Cumpiano, illustrated by José Ramírez All of Quinito's relatives have interesting jobs, many defying gender roles (Mom is a carpenter, and Dad is a nurse), and we get to learn all about them on this bilingual tour of his colorful neighborhood. Ages 4 to 8 Price at time of publication: $11 Breaking Gender Roles for Latino Boys 04 of 24 Call Me Tree / Llámame árbol Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Maya Christina Gonzalez As you read, encourage your little one to use the drawings to act out the plot: A child imagines growing from a seed into a tree, blooming in a forest of diverse children, all free to express their true selves. Ages 4 to 8 Price at time of publication: $19 05 of 24 All the Way to Havana Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Mike Curato This tale of a family's road trip to Cuba's capital captures the magic of the island as they drive past farms, forests, and beaches. The text (like "and we glide taka taka and we zoom zoom") is especially fun to read aloud. Ages 4 to 8 Price at time of publication: $19 06 of 24 Sing, Don't Cry Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Angela Dominguez Inspired by a popular Mexican song, this picture book helps kids see that pain and loss are universal life experiences. As a grandfather shares his voice and guitar, recalling memories and imparting wisdom, he encourages his grandkids to always rise above adversity. Ages 4 to 8 Price at time of publication: $18 9 Latin American-Inspired Snacks Kids Will Love 07 of 24 Alma and How She Got Her Name Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Juana Martinez-Neal Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks her name is too long until her father tells her the story of each Peruvian ancestor who inspired it, helping her feel closely connected to her family. She comes to appreciate the traits she shares with them. Expect your child to ask you about the origin of her name. Ages 4 to 8 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $18 08 of 24 Tía Isa Wants a Car Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz If your little one has ever saved up to buy something important to her, she will relate to the main character, whose persistence and hard work pay off in the end. Ages 3 to 7 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $8 09 of 24 The Secret Footprints Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Julia Alvarez, illustrated by Fabian Negrin The Dominican folktale of the ciguapa, an underwater creature with backward feet who ventures on land only at night, gets a different twist in this story about a fearless ciguapa girl who befriends a human boy. Ages 4 to 7 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $8 10 of 24 Carmela Full of Wishes Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson When Carmela's brother explains the magic of blowing on a dandelion, she imagines all the different wishes she could make—a candy machine, a bed for her mom, a reunion with her father — each creatively depicted as a papel picado illustration in this story about siblings. Ages 4 to 8 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $19 11 of 24 Dreamers Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Yuyi Morales Artist Yuyi Morales shares her poetic autobiography of immigrating to the United States with her son. When they discover the local public library and all the imaginary worlds they're able to access through the books there, they find a welcoming place in their new home. Ages 4 to 8 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $19 The Perfect Blend: One Latina Mom's Multicultural Household 12 of 24 From North to South / Del Norte al Sur Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by René Colato Laínez, illustrated by Joe Cepeda This bilingual story shows the enduring love that bonds a family separated by deportation. When José and his papá travel south to visit his mother in Mexico, they make the most of their brief time together and find ways to remain close despite the distance. Ages 6+ Price at time of publication: $11 13 of 24 Grandma's Gift Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Eric Velasquez Young art aficionados will love this autobiographical tale in which a boy and his Puerto Rican grandmother living in New York's El Barrio neighborhood visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The paintings they see enrich both their lives and inspire the author to become an artist. Ages 4 to 8 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $10 14 of 24 Juana & Lucas Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Juana Medina This illustrated chapter book stars Juana, a lover of comic books who lives in Bogotá, Colombia, and who is not excited to learn "the English." But when her abuelos promise to take her to visit Spaceland Park in Orlando, Florida, to meet her favorite hero, Astroman, she finds new motivation. Ages 5 to 8 Price at time of publication: $8 15 of 24 Abuela's Weave Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Omar S. Castañeda, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez Beating with cultural pride, this story focuses on Esperanza and her grandmother as they travel from the Guatemalan countryside to the city to sell their colorful handwoven tapestries. Readers will admire the young girl's confidence and entrepreneurship as she sells every last piece. Ages 4 to 8 (Also available in Spanish) Price at time of publication: $11 5 Latin Heroes and Heroines to Tell Your Kids About 16 of 24 Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Duncan Tonatiuh Based on true events, this compelling story details how Sylvia Mendez and her family helped end school segregation in California after she was turned away from her neighborhood school because of her Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. Ages 6 to 9 Price at time of publication: $20 17 of 24 Lucky Broken Girl Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Ruth Behar After surviving a terrible car accident others did not, Cuban immigrant Ruthie has to spend nearly a year in a body cast while adjusting to life in a new country. Luckily, her family and neighbors sit with the fifth-grader day in and day out, sharing stories and art, as she begins to heal. Ages 10+ Price at time of publication: $18 18 of 24 Flor and Miranda Steal the Show Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Jennifer Torres Eleven-year-olds Flor and Miranda have never met, but each helps support her family's traveling-carnival business. When Flor learns that the carnival can afford to keep only one of their acts, she fears for her family's petting zoo and tries to prevent the success of Miranda's family ranchera band. Ages 8 to 12 Price at time of publication: $17 Bilingual Babes: Teach Your Child A Second Language 19 of 24 Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Raúl Colón This collection of mini biographies introduces kids to 20 exceptional Latinos, such as civil-rights activist César Estrada Chávez, astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Ages 8 to 12 Price at time of publication: $20 20 of 24 Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller Shop This Book Courtesy of Amazon Written by Xavier Garza Lucha libre fan Max worships wrestler Guardian Angel, but when the boy tumbles into the ring during a match, he senses that he and the masked superstar. Price at time of publication: $20 21 of 24 Undocumented: A Worker's Fight Peter Ardito Written by Duncan Tonatiuh This accordion-style picture book shares the compelling story of an undocumented busboy who risks deportation when he confronts his scheming boss. Illustrated in the art of the ancient Mixtec population, it's a bold tale about standing up for what's right no matter what it takes. Ages 8+ 22 of 24 What Can a Citizen Do? Peter Ardito Written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris Full of diverse characters, this rhyming picture book reminds kids that even the youngest citizens can contribute to a better society by helping neighbors, writing letters, and accepting others for who they are. Ages 4 to 8 23 of 24 Never Too Young! 50 Unstoppable Kids Who Made a Difference Peter Ardito Written by Aileen Weintraub and illustrated by Laura Horton This collection of mini biographies celebrates the lives of children who made an impact on the world before they were even adults. Artist Pablo Picasso, soccer legend Pelé, and Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai are just some of the names that will encourage kids to dream big. Ages 8 to 12 5 Tips for Protesting with Your Kids 24 of 24 Books For Tweens: Immigrant Stories Courtesy of Amazon Reading books about different immigrant experiences can help kids build empathy and understanding for the sacrifices some families make. Try these picks. They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems By David Bowles Twelve-year-old Güero may have red hair and freckles, but he is as Mexican as they come. In fact, living on the Texas-Mexico border means he is constantly straddling two cultures. When his seventh-grade English teacher introduces him to poetry, Güero finds new appreciation for life on la frontera, despite its many border fences and prejudices. My Family Divided By Diane Guerrero and Erica Moroz Actress Diane Guerrero (of Jane the Virgin and Orange Is the New Black) tells her story of growing up in Boston with undocumented parents who were deported to Colombia when she was just 14 years old. The Crossroads By Alexandra Diaz After fleeing gang violence in Guatemala, 12-year-old Jaime Rivera struggles to find his place as an undocumented immigrant in his new home of New Mexico. When reports arrive that his abuela's life is threatened, Jaime wonders if he's truly where he's meant to be. This article originally appeared in Parents Latina Magazine as 'Build a Little Latino Library' and 'Immigrant Stories.' Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit