Your Village Parents Latina The 30 Best Latinx Children's Books Authentic characters and culturally meaningful settings liven up this year’s crop of winning books nominated by librarians and tested with families. By Wanda Medina Updated on June 10, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Priscilla Gragg Bookworms, rejoice! We rounded up a list of 32 children's books with Latin themes, authors, or illustrators. Some of them were recommended by favorite children's book authors. Others were nominated by librarians, book bloggers, and other kid-lit experts—and then approved by Latino families around the country. Whether your child is 2 years old or 12 years old, there's something in this round-up for them. Happy reading! 01 of 30 1. Just Like Me An ode to girls!. Courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers Shop It Written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Families loved the vibrancy in this collection of 28 free-verse poems. The uplifting words alongside bright, textured portraits inspire girls of all colors to be changemakers. Ages 5 to 10 02 of 30 2. Federico and the Wolf Courtesy of Clarion Books Shop It Written by Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Elisa ChavarriThis Mexican-American spin on "Little Red Riding Hood" entertained kid reviewers with fun rhymes, sweet cultural touches, and a sprinkle of Spanish words. "My daughter was so happy that Federico saved his grandpa," says Stephanie Acosta, of Newark, New Jersey.Ages 4 to 8 03 of 30 3. The Dream Weaver Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Shop It Written by Reina Luz AlegreWhen her Poppy's beloved bowling alley is in danger of going bankrupt, Zoey, 12, hatches a plan to save it. "This book is so good because it shows the ups and downs in life," says Mia, a 10-year-old reviewer.Ages 8 to 12 04 of 30 4. Pin Pon Courtesy of Encantos Shop It Written and illustrated by Susie Jaramillo Your bebito will be smitten with the adorable Canticos characters, especially the cutie elephant, in this bilingual nursery rhyme. Sold in two sizes, "the board book's tabs allowed my 3-year-old to uncover more words and details," says Denisse Montalvan, of Gardena, California. Ages 1 to 3 05 of 30 5. A Way With Wild Things Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children's Books Shop It Written by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Sara PalaciosIf your kid is obsessed with bugs, they'll find a kindred spirit in Poppy Ann Fields, a girl who feels more comfortable around insects than people. "My kids asked me to read the scientific bug names in the glossary over and over," says Annette Malkin, a mom in Miami.Ages 4 to 8 06 of 30 6. Manañaland Courtesy of Scholastic Press Shop It Written by Pam Muñoz RyanIn this novel that deftly blends fantasy with the refugee experience, 11-year-old Max, an aspiring soccer star, brings a young orphan to safety. "I love the connection with his best friend," says 8-year-old Auggie. "This book made me feel so happy."Ages 8 to 12 07 of 30 7. Brown Baby Lullaby Courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux Shop It Written by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by A. G. Ford The words sing ("Look, mi hijo, at the sun, setting now that the day is done") in this winner featuring an Afro-Latino couple caring for their son. The lifelike drawings (baby with spaghetti!) drew in reviewers. Ages 2 to 5 08 of 30 8. Federico and All His Families It’s sold in a Spanish version too. Courtesy of NubeOcho Shop It Written by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez This board book normalizes many types of families—two dads, two moms, single parents—through the eyes of a stray cat. Ages 1 to 3 09 of 30 9. ¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat Courtesy of Versify Shop It Written and illustrated by Raúl the ThirdFun details (the Taco Tuesday truck! the stretchy queso!) turn this story into a mouthwatering read. Says Wanda Martucci, of New York City: "It made my kids hungry for muchos nachos y tortas."Ages 3 to 8 10 of 30 10. Put Yourself in My Shoes Courtesy of NubeOcho Shop It Written by Susanna Isern, illustrated by Mylène Rigaudie A lesson in empathy: Cricket doesn't help Ladybug find a missing spot, but will he get help from friends when the tables are turned? Ages 4 to 7 11 of 30 11. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away Courtesy of Candlewick Shop It Written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez "My 6-year-old daughter left behind her best amiga when we moved cross-country from New York to California. But this coming-of-age story, about a girl whose closest pal moves away, showed her that friendship can transcend distance." —Newbery Award winner Matt de la Peña, author of Milo Imagines the World Ages 5 to 6 12 of 30 12. A Song of Frutas Courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers Shop It Written by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Sara Palacios"I challenge you to find a more charming book! A child visits her abuelo at his fruit stand in Cuba. It's told in rhyme with Spanish words sprinkled throughout—plátano, piña, toronja. You can almost hear them singing on the streets of Havana!" — Matt de la PeñaAges 5 to 6 13 of 30 13. Your Mama Courtesy of Versify Shop It Written by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara "The author reimagines 'your mama' jokes for a new generation with lines like, 'Your mama so sweet, she could be a bakery.' My kids love coming up with their own 'your mama' sayings as we read." — Matt de la PeñaAges 5 to 6 14 of 30 14. Where Wonder Grows Courtesy of Cinco Puntos Press Shop It Written by Xelena González, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia"An abuela explores the outdoors with her three granddaughters, connecting the rocks they find to their ancestors. I do a similar ritual with my children in the morning, and this book is such a lovely reminder of how nature links us all." — Matt de la PeñaAges 5 to 6 15 of 30 15. Stella Díaz Dreams Big Courtesy of Roaring Brook Press Shop It Written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez "If you're shy—like I was as a child—you'll quickly bond with Stella, a fourth-grader from a single-parent home who gets in way over her head when she takes on too many school activities." —Celia C. Pérez, Cuban Mexican American mom and author of Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers Ages 7 to 8 16 of 30 16. Twins vs. Triplets: Back-to-School Blitz Courtesy of HarperCollins Shop It Written by Jennifer Torres, illustrated by Vanessa Flores "Sometimes children just need to read about silly things and kids being kids! And this zany chapter book about classmates battling for control of a playground has pranks and jokes galore." —Celia C. PérezAges 7 to 8 17 of 30 17. Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello Courtesy of Lee and Low Books Shop It Written by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri "Any kid who's into archaeology or ancient history will be fascinated by Monica Brown's biography about Julio 'Sharuko' Tello, an Indigenous boy in Peru who grew up to become a world-renowned archaeologist." —Celia C. PérezAges 7 to 8 18 of 30 18. The Cot in the Living Room Courtesy of Kokila Shop It Written by Hilda Eunice Burgos, illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro "A Dominican American girl resents the children her mami babysits every evening, until she realizes her mother is watching them because their parents work overnight shifts. It reminded me of my own mom, who always looked out for the kids in our neighborhood." —Celia C. PérezAges 7 to 8 19 of 30 19. Lupe Wong Won't Dance Courtesy of Levine Querido Shop It Written by Donna Barba Higuera "Lupe Wong is a spunky Mexican Chinese athlete who dreams of being the first female pitcher in the major leagues. Like so many Latinas, myself and my daughters included, when she sets her mind to something, she makes it happen!" —Yamile Saied Méndez, Argentine American mom of five and author of Where Are You From? and On These Magic Shores Ages 9+ 20 of 30 20. Silver Meadows Summer Courtesy of Yearling Shop It Written by Emma Otheguy"My husband is from Puerto Rico, and I know how hard it is for Boricuas to balance two identities—Puerto Rican and American. That's the struggle of 11-year-old Carolina, who moves to the mainland from Puerto Rico and comes to learn she doesn't have to choose one culture over the other." —Yamile Saied MéndezAges 9+ 21 of 30 21. Love Sugar Magic: A Mixture of Mischief Courtesy of Walden Pond Press Shop It Written by Anna Meriano, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega"My family loves visiting the panadería. We couldn't get enough of this spellbinding tale, which centers around a family of Latina witches who run a bakery in Texas. The characters even switch back and forth between Spanish and English like we do!" —Yamile Saied MéndezAges 9+ 22 of 30 22. What If a Fish Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Shop It Written by Anika Fajardo"When Eddie, a sixth-grader from Minnesota, travels to Colombia to visit his half-brother for the summer, he's nervous about fitting in. But, as he discovers, there are many ways to connect to a country where you have roots." —Yamile Saied MéndezAges 9+ 23 of 30 23. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls Courtesy of HarperCollins Shop It Written by Kaela RiveraOur kid reviewers admired the adventurous spirit of Cece, a Mexican American tween who learns forbidden magic to save her sister. No matter what happens, "Cece is still herself and follows her heart," said Auggie, 9.Ages 8 to 12 24 of 30 24. El Toro and Friends: Tag Team Courtesy of Versify Shop It Written and illustrated by Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine BayTwo wrestling pals join forces to clean up the stadium in this vibrantly illustrated beginning reader. Parents appreciated the cultural details and message of teamwork.Ages 4 to 7 25 of 30 25. Definitely Dominguita: Knight of the Cape Courtesy of Aladdin Shop It Written by Terry Catasús Jennings, illustrated by Fátima AnayaIn the first book of this fast-paced new series, the Cuban American title character "goes on a roller coaster of adventures, some big, some small, to prove that girls can be knights," 10-year-old Nina said.Ages 6 to 10 26 of 30 26. The Caiman Courtesy of Amazon Crossing Kids Shop It Written by María Eugenia Manrique, illustrated by Ramón ParísThis tender, true story of a caiman who bonds with a man wowed families with its tropical artwork and unique horizontal format. "It made us feel like we were in Venezuela," said Wanda Martucci, of New York City.Ages 5 to 8 27 of 30 27. May Your Life Be Deliciosa Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams Shop It Written by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Loris LoraReviewers instantly connected to this story about a family making tamales together, calling it "a feast for the eyes that blends family, tradition, and culture without feeling pushy."Ages 4 to 8 28 of 30 28. Starting Over in Sunset Park Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers Shop It Written by José Palaez and Lynn McGee, illustrated by Bianca DiazTold from the perspective of a girl who moves from the Dominican Republic to New York City, the story captivated kid reviewers with its artwork, especially the mango tree and snowy scenes.Ages 4 to 8 29 of 30 29. Mi Casa Is My Home Courtesy of Candlewick Shop It Written by Laurenne Sala, illustrated by Zara González HoangWith sprinkles of Spanish, young Lucia takes readers on a tour of her home, and our kid reviewers totally related. "My son pinpointed similar things we do as a family, like build forts and play cards," said Sugey Palomares, of New York City.Ages 3 to 7 30 of 30 30. A Sled for Gabo Courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers Shop It Written by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Ana Ramírez GonzálezIn this story about making do with what you have, Gabo learns that he doesn't need a regular sled to slide into all the winter fun.Ages 4 to 8 This article originally appeared in Parents Latina's December/January 2021 issue as "Read On!", in June/July 2021 issue as "Relax and Read", and in December/January 2022 issue as "Turn the Pages" Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit