Hispanic Heritage Month: Picture Books
Check out our recommendations for picture books by Hispanic authors and illustrators.
National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year from September 15th to October 15th, and is meant to celebrate the lives and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. All month, we’ll be sharing lists of some of our favorite work from Hispanic authors, illustrators and filmmakers that you can check out with your Plano Public Library card. Check back each week to see selections for all ages.
The books Librarian Andrea selected some of her favorite picture books with Latino and/or Hispanic authors and illustrators. There are all sorts of topics, characters and styles for you to sample and learn about.
We’re only sharing a few titles for each author and illustrator, so we hope you’ll take the time to check out even more of their books with your Plano Public Library card!
Yuyi Morales
Niño Wrestles the World (2014 Pura Belpré Illustrator Medal) | Print Book
Viva Frida (2015 Pura Belpré Illustrator Medal) | Bilingual Print Book
Yuyi Morales’ stories and illustrations are characterized by joy. Even in sad stories, her illustrations are full of character and brightness and are always fun to look at. Her style is distinctive and exciting. Whether she’s writing about a famed artist or a boy playing luchador, Morales creates engaging and playful narratives. She’s written several books and illustrated even more, and they’re all a lot of fun.
Roseanne Thong and John Parra
Green is a Chile Pepper (2014 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor) | Print Book | Readalong eBook
Round is a Tortilla (2014 Texas 2×2 Book List)| Print Book | eBook
Both of these books by Roseanne Thong feature great English and Spanish vocabulary and opportunities to talk about what we see in the pages. John Parra’s colorful and exciting illustrations make these books especially fun to share with a little one practicing their shapes and colors.
Angela Dominguez
Sing, Don’t Cry | Print Book
How are you? / ¿Cómo estás? (2019 Texas 2×2 Book List)| Bilingual Print Book | eBook
Maria Had a Little Llama | Bilingual Print Book
Angela Dominguez’s playful illustrations and good-natured stories are fun for a wide range of ages. The short simple phrases in How are you?/ ¿Cómo estás? are perfect for toddlers who have trouble sitting through a long book, while the meaningful family story at the center of Sing, Don’t Cry will be relatable for older kids struggling with difficult times.
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson
Carmela Full of Wishes | Print Book | Spanish Print Book | Wonderbook | eBook
Last Stop on Market Street (2016 Newberry Medal, 2016 Caldecott Honor, 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor)| Print Book | Spanish Print Book | eBook | DVD
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson have teamed up twice for some really beautiful stories about childhood and dealing with big feelings. De la Peña’s writing is thoughtful but still accessible for younger kids, and Robinson’s illustrations support and expand on the story with thoughtful details. Both of these books offer the opportunity to talk about family, community, and finding beauty around us when things are hard.
Pat Mora and Raul Colón
Tomás and the Library Lady (1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet List)| Print Book | Spanish Print Book
Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart (2006 Pura Belpré Illustrator Medal, 2006 Belpré Author Honor Book) | Print Book
Pat Mora’s books are well-written and fun to read, but they’re especially nice when paired with Raul Colón’s illustrations. Mora’s stories range from grounded and realistic to fanciful imaginative, and Colón always manages to match up well. These two stories in particular are a bit long for younger readers and listeners, but they are great examples of the talents of both creators.
Lauren Castillo
Nana in the City (2015 Caldecott Honor) | Print Book | Spanish Print Book | Chinese Print Book | Japanese Print Book
The main character of Nana in the City loves his Nana… but he really doesn’t like that she lives somewhere so noisy and scary. Together, they work through his fears and she shows him some of the cool and exciting parts of her city. The illustrations have depth and texture, and Castillo shows a lot of character detail in those images. This is a gentle story of bravery and trust, and it’s a real standout.
Be sure to check out our Hispanic Heritage Month blog posts throughout the next month to see book lists for all ages.
Related Posts
By The Cover: Tangerine
Have you Heard? New in July
