The best books celebrating Latino cultural heritage, by Latino/a authors and illustrators from 1996 to the present.

Book cover of Mexikid : a graphic memoir
2024

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

by Martin, Pedro
Call Number: x GN 92 M382

A hilarious memoir about the author's family traveling to Mexico to get his grandfather. Latinos will laugh and relate to some of the experiences (given name vs. American-style name) while everyone with siblings will relate to the sibling relationships. Pedro is able to learn and connect with the grandfather that he had heard so much about but barely knew. Pedro is also able to learn more about himself, what makes him Mexican or not Mexican enough and about his family. 

Book cover for Where Wonder Grows
2023

Where Wonder Grows

by González, Xelena
Call Number: xz
Book cover for ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge
2022

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge

by Raúl the Third
Call Number: xz

Grades K - 3: The third entry in the World of Vamos series has Little Lobo and his friends stuck in a traffic jam trying to get to a party. The comic-style illustrations lovingly portray the details of life in a border community, where the interplay of language and culture unites two cities into one city on either side of a bridge. Like the other Vamos books, each page is a delightful look-and-find puzzle of Spanish words and Mexican-American pop culture.

Book cover for ¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat!
2021

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat!

by Raúl the Third
Call Number: xz

In this book little Lobo picks up food for his favorite wrestling star El Toro and his friends. He takes us on a journey to explore the world of food trucks. The illustrations are detailed and represent this food culture in various ways. Children can read this book again and again and still discover interesting details in the story and illustrations.

Book cover for Dreamers
2019

Dreamers

by Morales, Yuyi
Call Number: xz

Pre-K - Grade 3: Yuyi Morales delivers another classic in this autobiographical story of her immigration from Mexico to the United States with her small son. The library is an entry point for literacy, wonder, and Morales’ future career as an author/illustrator. A celebration of finding your creative self in dual languages.

Book cover for La Princesa and the Pea
2018

La Princesa and the Pea

by Elya, Susan Middleton
Call Number: xz
Book cover for Lowriders to the Center of the Earth
2017

Lowriders to the Center of the Earth

by Camper, Cathy,
Call Number: e-Book
Book cover for Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music
2016

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music

by Engle, Margarita
Call Number: xz

Grades Pre-K-3: A little girl dreams of pounding on congas and bongos at a time when everyone thinks only boys can play the drums in this richly illustrated rhyming story. Inspired by the life of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, the drummer for Cuba’s first “all-girl dance band,” it’s a powerful lesson that “both girls and boys should feel free to dream.”

 
Book cover for Viva Frida
2015

Viva Frida

by Morales, Yuyi
Call Number: S xz
Book cover for Niño Wrestles the World
2014

Niño Wrestles the World

by Morales, Yuyi
Call Number: xz

(Gr. K-3)  Niño! Yuyi Morales’ pint-size, briefs clad, masked luchadore is guaranteed to win you over as he defeats foes like la momia Guanajuato, the Guanajuato mummy, with such surefire moves as the Tickle Tackle! Particularly endearing is his conciliatory approach to his final contenders: las hermanitas, his boisterous baby sisters. The book includes brief explanatory notes on lucha libre.

Book cover for Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert
2013

Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert

by Schmidt, Gary D.
Call Number: x 92 M3785Sc
Book cover for Diego Rivera: His World and Ours
2012

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours

by Tonatiuh, Duncan.
Call Number: x 92 R621To
Book cover for Grandma's Gift
2011

Grandma's Gift

by Velasquez, Eric.
Call Number: xz
Book cover for Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day/Celebremos El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros
2010

Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day/Celebremos El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros

by Mora, Pat.
Call Number: S xz

Children read aloud in various settings to celebrate of El día de los niños, or Children's Day, in this bilingual story. Includes facts about Mexico's annual celebration of children and the book fiestas that are often included.

Book cover for Los Gatos Black on Halloween
2008

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

by Montes, Marisa.
Call Number: xz
Book cover for Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
2004

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

by Morales, Yuyi.
Call Number: x 398 M8285

In this version of a traditional tale, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle's door, ready to take her to the next life, but after helping her count, in English and Spanish, as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind.

Book cover for Chato and the Party Animals
2002

Chato and the Party Animals

by Soto, Gary.
Call Number: xz
Book cover for Snapshots from the Wedding
1998

Snapshots from the Wedding

by Soto, Gary.
Call Number: xz
Book cover for Chato's Kitchen
1996

Chato's Kitchen

by Soto, Gary.
Call Number: xz Ed.a