The Best Hispanic Children’s Books to Celebrate Heritage and Culture

This is one of my very favorite Hispanic children’s books that everyone needs on their shelf! A little girl complains to her father about her long name — Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela. “It never fits,” she tells her Dad. Her frustration prompts a discussion between father and child as to why Alma was given such a long name, and Alma’s eyes suddenly open to the legacies she carries with her and the beloved ancestors for whom she was named. Upon learning all about her vibrant name, Alma realizes that it may be the perfect fit after all. For our full review of Alma and How She Got her Name, click here!

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This beautiful book tells the story of a young Dominican girl living in a Washington Heights apartment. Each night, the girl’s mami sets up a cot in the living room for children from around the neighborhood whose families work overnight shifts around New York City. At first, the little girl is resentful. After all, why do these other kids get to sleep in the big living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while she has to share a small room with her sister? But then, her resentment turns to empathy as she realizes the cot in the living room isn’t quite as grand as she thought it would be. I love the honesty and authenticity portrayed in this story, and the way it is a meditation on gratitude and empathy as well. A new beauty!

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This is a fabulous story set in an immigrant neighborhood filled with energy. It beautifully conveys the love shared between a father and his daughter, their joyful ride on Papi’s motorcycle, and their exploration of their evolving neighborhood and community. The sweet girl so adores her hardworking father, and this is a testament to the mutual, unconditional love and adoration between father and daughter.

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This book is just stunning! When Esperanza (meaning “hope”) and her family arrive to the United States from Cuba, they rent a small house, una casita. Though it wasn’t perfect, and though they were far from their old home, the family was together and filled with hope. When other immigrant families arrive and are in need of a home, Esperanza’s family is always there to step in and help, opening the doors of La Casita to welcome all. This semi-autobiographical story is a beauty of a book, showing how immigrants can help each other feel safe and welcome in a new world. This is one of the most moving and important Hispanic children’s books I have read recently, and I simply adore it!

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Bienvenidos! If you are looking for a fabulous bilingual book, this is it! I absolutely adore this story in which a little girl named Lucia brings readers into her bustling house to share her big, beautiful familia with all. From the puerta to the cocina to the sala, this book describes the exciting moments that happen in the casa throughout the day, and exudes love and warmth on every page. It is an ode to Spanglish (as the author moves back and forth between Spanish and English languages), an authentic depiction of a Latinx home, and – perhaps most importantly – a celebration of the love shared among family. Absolutely, positively love this one!

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This is the story of a young boy who lives on the Mexican-American border, visiting his favorite places on “The Other Side” with his dad over the weekend. Not only do the two see family and friends on The Other Side, a town that virtually mirrors their own, but they also bring with them a list of supplies and a bag of special things for friends in need. I love the way this beautiful story shows a child thinking bigger than himself and that caring for the community is just as important as caring for ourselves. It is a wonderful book to get kids thinking about compassionate actions, generosity, and the power of thoughtfulness and good deeds.

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This beautiful picture book celebrates not only the joy of being Dominican, but the stunning array of colors that make up the people and landscape of the Dominican Republic. Where people have skin the colors of cinnamon and mahogany, and the blazing red sun looms high in the sky, this poetic ode to Dominican culture exquisitely celebrates this country, its diversity and its lush land.

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Everywhere Miguel wanders in San Juan, he has his pet frog, Coqui, at his side. But when Miguel and his parents move from Puerto Rico to New York City, Miguel must leave his cherished pet behind. New York is big and bustling, and at first it’s quite overwhelming. Miguel quickly learns, though, that there are a lot of familiar sights in his new hometown, and he may even discover a way to keep not just Puerto Rico, but his beloved Coqui in his thoughts at all times. Adorable!

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This beautiful story, a testament to the power of wishes and an ode to underrepresented children around the country, is another stunner from the duo who brought us Last Stop on Market Street. When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, she is so excited to finally be old enough to run errands with her big brother. They wander all through their neighborhood, and when Carmela finds a lone dandelion, her brother tells her she must make a wish on the flower. But whatever will Carmela wish for? This story poignantly showcases a sibling relationship and one young girl’s hurry to grow up, while at the same time relishing in everyday magic that is seen only through young eyes.

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This is an exquisitely crafted and collaged book about immigrants and the way in which words and stories changed the lives of a mother and her son upon arriving to the United States. It is a beautiful and moving testament to a mother’s love, the power of libraries, the magic of books, and the enormous promise that lies within the pages of every piece of literature.

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Pepe can’t wait to attend his first Hispanic Day Parade! After all, there’s good food to eat and great music for dancing, and he is excited to celebrate his Mexican-American culture. At the bustling, energetic festival, Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Cuban cultures are all represented with joy and fun. We love the way Spanish words are woven throughout the text, and the educational author’s note is a great addition with opportunities for further learning and discussion.

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This is a beautiful story of a young girl living in Cuba who so desperately wants to make music.  It is the epitome of turning a “can’t” into a “you better believe I can”! Who says girls can’t play drums? We love the protagonist’s no holds barred attitude, the way she adopts a growth mindset and her determination to turn her dream into a reality. Aside from the fabulous narrative, the illustrations are simply breathtaking.

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Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all! Everyone knows Paletero Jose has the perfect treats for a blistering hot day, and this adorable book follows one boy as he goes on a search for the paletero man through his bustling neighborhood. But what happens when the narrator finds the paletero man, and he discovers the dinero in his pockets is gone? He may just need the help of his multicultural community. We love this ode to neighbors, kindness, and paletas, of course!

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A young boy and his parents take their old family car on a ride to Havana, where they bumpity bump and putt putt putt down the road. Along their journey, they see the sights and sounds of their beloved Cuba, from chit-chatting neighbors to lively musicians to lots and lots of cars. The boy, of course, loves his Cara Cara best, and we love this vibrant ode to Cuba, its culture and its people!

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Welcome to the barrio, where the highlight of summer is cooling off with a delicious paleta! The paleta vendor offers so many delicious flavors, coloring tongues and faces and fingers. So what can you do with a paleta? Slurp it, of course, and sip it and munch it before gobbling it all up! We love the vibrant colors and the sprinkling of Spanish words throughout the text.

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Oh, I simply adore this book, that uses Mexican American culture to explore colors! With its vibrant illustrations, bilingual text, and snappy rhyme, this fabulous book has universal appeal. It’s a perfect read aloud for toddlers. Even better, the glossary in the back of the book explains any vocabulary you don’t already know! We also adore the other books in this series, including Round is a Tortilla and One is a Pinata!

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This is a great bilingual story of a farm maiden preparing a pinata for a young girl’s surprise party while the girl is out running errands. With the help of a boy and a farmer, together with a goose, horse, cat and sheep, they scramble to finish the preparations just in time. We love cumulative stories, and this one, with its interwoven Spanish vocabulary, is just so much fun!

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When Mia’s abuela arrives in the city and moves into Mia’s home, communication can be challenging. Mia tries to help Abuela learn English, and Mia learns a bit of Spanish, yet the language barrier is ever present. One day, though, Mia brings a parrot named Mango home from the pet shop with an idea that will bridge the communication gap — and help the family better share their stories. Heartfelt, relatable and joyful, this one is a gem!

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This book is exquisite! A little girl of color is continuously asked a question by her peers. “Where are you from?” Though it should have a simple answer, the girl always struggles to reply. One day, she seeks enlightenment from her loving Abuelo, and she gets the most beautiful, thorough answer she could have imagined. Abuelo takes her on a journey underwater and through the fields, evoking heritage, family, and the love that exists from generation to generation, carrying us through challenges and giving us answers to age-old questions about self-identity and home. Just beautiful!

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It’s Gabo’s first ever snowy day during the winter, and while he doesn’t necessarily have the right socks or a hat that fits or even a sled to ride downhill, he does have a wonderful community of friends and neighbors who help him solve his challenges. We love the way this story shows kids that life isn’t about the possessions you don’t have, but the exciting things you can do with the possessions you do have! Complete with engaging characters, kind actions and Spanish words woven throughout the text, Gabo is a total delight!

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