Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month: Books for Children

Based on a true story, twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez becomes the lead plaintiff in a 1931 lawsuit challenging school segregation in Lemon Grove, California, and stands up for justice with the support of his Mexican American community.

With lyrical text in English and Spanish, this vibrant picture book is a celebration of Hispanic American identity--showcasing the beauty of being part of two cultures.

Danilo's baseball talent lands him the opportunity to train in the States and find his absentee father, who may be the key to saving the family he abandoned as they deal with the devastating effects of the US's military invasion of Panamá.

Thirteen-year-old Cuban American Gonzalo joins his estranged grandfather on road trip to promote his grandfather's fantasy book series.

Twelve-year-old Diez Espada, a soccer-obsessed sleuth named after Lionel Messi's jersey number, tracks down the World Cup trophy in a high-stakes, one-night investigation with his crush Rio and world-famous Detective Enzo.

Queso wishes under the full moon to see his late father again, and suddenly finds himself back in 1985 with twelve-year-old Pancho, the boy who will grow up to be his dad, and who needs Queso's help to imagine a better future.

My abuela is a bruja. There is magic in everything she does. There is nothing more magical than a grandmother's love. But one lucky girl suspects her grandmother has actual magic. It's in the tun-tun-tun of the way she dances salsa, in the warmth of her hugs, and the delicious smell of her cooking. The granddaughter wonders: will I have magic of my own one day?

Every year William's family sends a package of food, clothing, and medicine to their family in Cuba, but this year they realize they have forgotten to include new shoes for Leo.

A rollicking and rhyming story about a boy and his family who have all the right tools to help their community.

A picture book about the Latin American folk singer, Mercedes Sosa. Mercedes performed the world over, sharing stories through song. But not everyone loved her singing: a military dictatorship ruled over Argentina, and they saw the power of her voice. Even from exile, Mercedes Sosa was a beacon of freedom for her people, and when she returned to her homeland, she persisted in her work: to be the voice of the voiceless.

When eight endangered macaws are stolen from a bird sanctuary in the Mayan ruins of Copán, four sleuthing cousins must find out who took them and why.

Cruzita must save her family's failing panaderia by winning a mariachi band contest--the only problem is she hates mariachi and cannot speak Spanish.

The candles are lit, the food is prepared, and the sweet smell of copal floats in the air on Día de Muertos. Built with love and dedication, the family ofrenda stands with pride. As everyone gathers to share in this ritual, each element added to the ofrenda is infused with significance--from the sugar skulls placed with care on top of the embroidered cloth to the golden petals that guide the way. Told after the style of the English nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built," The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead by joining in the building of a family ofrenda. With warmth and brightness, this gorgeously illustrated book is a joyful ode to family traditions, bonds that transcend time, and the memory of loved ones who have passed but who we continue to remember.

Every day for Luna starts and ends with Mami's apapachos--hugs that come from Mami's soul. Her warm cuddles fill Luna's heart, like stars fill the sky. They make her feel safe. They make her feel seen. But, oh no, Mami has to take a trip! What will Luna do without Mami's hugs? Maybe...apapachos can come from other people, too. Like Abue's, which makes Luna feel brave. And Daddy's, which makes her giggle. Not to mention her dog, Benito's wet nuzzle which tells her to rise and shine with a smile. It turns out even when Mami's far away, her love is all around. Apapacho love is everywhere!

It is said the mighty feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl, helped create the earth. He is the hero who stole back the bones of humanity from the evil god of the Underworld. In his quest to bring humans to the earth, Quetzalcoatl's dog-headed twin brother, Xolotl, was present. Not much is known of Xolotl, the god of lightning, death, and misfortune. A true monster. This is what really happened.

Black and white photos and a poem, both centering the margins of our communities. This board book aims to recall wisdom from our past to help guide our future, and inspire action. Words by Bobby LeFebre. Photos by Juan Fuentes. Produced by Evan Weissman and Warm Cookies of the Revolution.

Leo is thrilled when he and his family enter a shelter so he can adopt a new pet, but after searching for a while, Leo doesn't feel the connection he had hoped for and leaves feeling disappointed. On the way home, he and his family see a busy marketplace and find another shelter hidden inside: one for magical creatures! There Leo connects with an alebrije, their bond forming before they can even leave the shelter. But he quickly learns just how much responsibility comes with raising a pet.

It's the best day of the year: tamale day. Luis and his family have been making and eating [them] all day. ... When Luis, Jacob, and Letty all want the last tamale, there's only one way to choose a winner: a tamale battle! Round one: Dance Battle. Round Two: Lucha Libre Match. Round Three: Arm Wrestle with Abuelita.

Twelve-year-old María Luisa O'Neill-Morales (who really prefers to be called Malú) reluctantly moves with her Mexican-American mother to Chicago and starts seventh grade with a bang--violating the dress code with her punk rock aesthetic and spurning the middle school's most popular girl in favor of starting a band with a group of like-minded weirdos.

Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce.

In this lyrical and empowering tribute to Latine laborers, one child realizes how her Papi's love and labor make their community, home, and future stronger, and illustrates her vow to do the same--perfect for fans of Someone Builds the Dream and My Papi Has a Motorcycle.

Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in a small town in Mexico, but his dreams reached far beyond! Nicknamed "El Toro," Fernando dazzled baseball fans with his powerful pitches, especially during his unforgettable 1981 rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became Rookie of the Year and helped win a World Series. Soon, the spirit of "Fernandomania" swept the nation, filling stadiums with cheering fans who saw in Fernando a hero who proved that anything is possible. He didn't just make history; he brought the Latino community together, showing that small-town dreams can become big-league legends!

Gloria's father always yells the grito to start Diez y Seis de Septiembre, but when he becomes ill, Gloria volunteers and must step up and find her voice to start the annual Mexican Independence Day fiesta.

When Jesús gets home after school, he has to fill the time until Mamá can take him outside to play. It's tough, until Mamá appoints him Chief Plant Officer--he'll be like a big brother to her precious houseplants. Jesuś does an excellent job keeping them watered, entertained, and happy--until an unfortunate accident during a dance party throws Jesús's entire job into crisis mode. Join Jesús and a hilarious cast of houseplants as they navigate the biggest challenge of all.

Today, little Jesús has a big job to do. He's helping Papá at work, and he's in charge of the water jug--which is also a magical clock! When it's empty, Papá explains, the workday is done. But what about all these thirsty animals? Soon, the water is gone, but the day is not over yet. Will Jesús be fired?! Or is the jug not really magical after all.