National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America from September 15 to October 15. Unfortunately, many Afro Latinos have complained that they have been excluded from this cultural recognition. Films and TV shows like the popular novelas and books have rarely included Afro Latino culture. Now their diverse and vibrant stories are beginning to be told. In pop culture, movies like Miles Morales feature an Afro Latino character. Here are a few books for children to enjoy the rich voices and talents of Afro-Latino storytellers.
Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa
by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Julie Maren
Introduce your kids to Celia Cruz, the world-renowned salsa singer. This picture book biography celebrates her vibrant personality and passion for salsa music that touched millions of fans. The stunning artwork and captivating narrative will have you pressing play on a Celia-inspired playlist when you’ve finished reading. (Ages 5 - 8)
by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Julie Maren
Introduce your kids to Celia Cruz, the world-renowned salsa singer. This picture book biography celebrates her vibrant personality and passion for salsa music that touched millions of fans. The stunning artwork and captivating narrative will have you pressing play on a Celia-inspired playlist when you’ve finished reading. (Ages 5 - 8)
Hands
by Torrey Maldonado
by Torrey Maldonado
This deeply moving story will captivate tweens and teens from cover to cover. It’s about a boy named Trev who must decide what kind of man he wants to become. To protect his family from his abusive stepfather, Trev takes up boxing. But when his talent for art opens an alternative path for protecting his family, Trev must decide whether to fight against an immediate threat or work toward a better future. (Ages 10+
by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Sujean Rim
This heartwarming story follows Flora, a Panamanian American girl, as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship and family. Between her best friend moving away and her sister’s all-consuming quince preparations, readers can't help but relate to Flora and her experiences. (Ages 8 - 12)
Octopus Stew
by Eric Velasquez
by Eric Velasquez
Dinner turns dangerous in this unique picture book that tells two stories in one. When Abuela gets captured by the octopus she was cooking, Ramsey must save her from the tentacled villain. Fold-out pages show the story’s events as a tall tale while folding them in shows it happening in real life. Kids will love reading both versions of this exciting book. (Ages 4 - 8)
by Aya de León
Spy and heist fans will love this young adult novel about a Latina who goes undercover to infiltrate the world of white supremacists. An unexpected crush and the pressure of pretending to be someone else complicates the job. It will take all of Andréa’s smarts not to blow her cover before she can expose the white supremacists’ plans.
If Dominican Were a Color
by Sili Recio
The palette of the Dominican Republic is exuberant and unlimited. Maiz comes up amarillo, the blue-black of dreams washes over sandy shores, and people’s skin can be the shade of cinnamon in cocoa or of mahogany. This exuberantly colorful, softly rhyming picture book is a gentle reminder that a nation’s hues are as wide as nature itself.
Islandborn
by Junot Diaz
When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island—she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories—joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening—Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: “Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.”Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us—to our families, to our past and to ourselves.
Platnos Go with Everything
by Lissette Norman
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Platanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything—especially love!
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Platanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything—especially love!
Platnaos Are Love
by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
A delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl’s experiences in the kitchen with her abuela. With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and—most importantly—they are love.
El Secreto del Plátano (the Secret of the Plátano)
by Luz Maria Mack
At first his tiny ears couldn't hear it, but Abuela shares that she can't teach something that only her heart knows. This loving and tender story of the magical union between a grandmother and her grandson was penned by Dominican author, Luz Maria Mack, and inspired by a dream where she and her Abuela met again to dance and share the secrets of the plátanos.
Sometimes the secrets of life are written in nature, under the stars, and in the sounds of the whispering leaves. This translation of The Secret of the Plátano brings a lovely intergenerational friendship to a Spanish-speaking audience.
by Luz Maria Mack
At first his tiny ears couldn't hear it, but Abuela shares that she can't teach something that only her heart knows. This loving and tender story of the magical union between a grandmother and her grandson was penned by Dominican author, Luz Maria Mack, and inspired by a dream where she and her Abuela met again to dance and share the secrets of the plátanos.
Sometimes the secrets of life are written in nature, under the stars, and in the sounds of the whispering leaves. This translation of The Secret of the Plátano brings a lovely intergenerational friendship to a Spanish-speaking audience.
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Nina Bonita by Ana Maria Machado With the help of a little bunny issues of race and colorism are addressed. |
Josefina's Habichuelas
by Jasminne Menez
Young Josefina gives up sweets for Lent and then learns how to make her Dominican family’s traditional Easter dessert.
Me and Mama
by Cozbi A. Cabrera
On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.
Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones! With lyrical prose and a tender touch, the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor Book Mama and Me is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together.
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The Cot in thee Living Room
by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Each night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who’s boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night when no one comes, and it’s finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping on the cot in the living room isn’t all she thought it would be.
Cesaria Feels the Beat
by Denise R Adusei
This title will be released on June 4, 2024.
In this powerful and inspiring picture book, a deaf girl stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet. Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard. But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, “Peacocks don’t wear shoes!” You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand…That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria.
Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.
What Can You Do With a Paleta? Qué Puedes Hacer Con Una Paleta
by Carmen Tafolla (Author), Magaly Morales (Illustrator)
As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit-flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican-American children. Create a masterpiece, make tough choices (strawberry or coconut?), or cool off on a warm summer's day--there's so much to do with a paleta.
