My 6 year old hasn’t travelled outside the United States yet, but that doesn’t stop us from exploring the world through reading! Right now, we’re reading many different children’s books set in Mexico. In this post I’m sharing some of our favorites, plus a few books for older elementary kids as well.

One note about this book list: A couple of the books included are technically about Mexican-American characters living in what is today the Southwestern United States. Since the books are focus is Mexican-American culture and these areas used to be part of Mexico, I have chosen to include them.

12 Engaging Children’s Books about Mexico

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The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes by Duncan Tonatiuh

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When I flew into Mexico City years ago, I remember admiring the huge volcanoes. I didn’t know the Aztec myth about their origin until I read Tonatiuh’s strikingly illustrated tale.

The beautiful, humble, and determined princess Izta rejected her many powerful suitors. She fell in love instead with the brave warrior Popoca. But Izta’s father would only allow her to marry Popoca if he could defeat Jaguar Claw, the ruler of a neighboring kingdom. Popoca and his soldiers are making progress in their battles, but Jaguar Claw comes up with a plan to trick Popoca. Will Izta ever see her love again? (Recommended for ages 4 – 8)

Related Post: Best Children’s Books Set in North America

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

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There are several good children’s books about the fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I chose Yuyi Morales’ book because the artwork, made with stop motion puppets, is riveting for children of all ages. Where did Frida’s art come from? Morales shows us how Frida’s art emerged from who she is, how she sees and dreams, and how she lives.

This unique book is sure to inspire many children to follow in Friday’s footsteps to become artists. (Bilingual, recommended for ages 3 +)

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Off We Go to Mexico! An Adventure in the Sun by Laurie Krebs and Christopher Corr

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My son is so taken by this book that any time I mention Mexico, he replies “Off we go to Mexico!” The bouncy, rhyming text and the brightly colored illustrations bring alive the sights and sounds of the country. Each page spread visits a different famous site, and includes Spanish vocabulary related to the scene.

Places visited include the home of monarch butterflies, the market, and ancient pyramids. After the story there are 7 pages of brightly illustrated educational notes on Mexican history, holidays, and a map showing each of the sites featured in the story. The Spanish version of this book can be found here. (Recommended for ages 4 – 10)

Related Post: 11 fun children’s books with Spanish vocabulary

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh

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Dear Primo is an extended letter between two cousins. Carlitos lives in Mexico and Charlie lives in the United States. Though they’ve never met, they have so much to tell each other about what their everyday lives are like. Carlitos lives on a farm, while Charlie is surrounded by skyscrapers. Their favorite games, food, and celebrations may be different, but each cousin has the same idea: “My primo should come visit me!” (Recommended for ages 4 – 8)

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Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora and Rafael López 

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When Pat Mora learned that Mexico celebrates El día del niño (The Day of the Child) on April 30th, he knew that celebrating books would be a wonderful way to celebrate children. This adorable bilingual book shows children playfully reading in the park, to their kittens and lizards, and even while riding an elephant! (Bilingual, Recommended for ages 3 – 7)

My Colors, My World by Maya Christina Gonzalez 

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Where Maya lives, the desert winds sometimes blow so hard that everything turns the color of dust. But young Maya opens her eyes “extra wide” to find the colors in her world. She sees hot pink in the desert sunset, orange in the marigold flowers, and green in the backyard cactus. It’s a perfect book for learning the names of colors in both English and Spanish. (Bilingual, recommended for ages 3 – 7)

In My Family by Carmen Lomas Garza

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Painter Carmen Lomas Garza celebrates her Mexican-American culture today as a way of healing past wounds, such as being punished by teachers for speaking Spanish as a child. Her vivid paintings and the quiet stories that describe them will fascinate children. Many of the paintings focus on special celebrations and everyday food, from preparing nopalitos (cactus pads) to eat to making confetti Easter eggs.

Kids will be sure to be amazed at the painting of how Mama treats an earache. Placing a cone of newspaper in Papa’s ear, she briefly sets it on fire! This home remedy cured Papa’s swimmers’ ear every time. (Bilingual, recommended for ages 5 – 10)

Related Post: 11 Children’s Books about Immigrants and Refugees 

Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book by Yuyi Morales

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If your child likes funny or quirky books, be sure to add this one to your list! Señor Calavera is rushing to be on time to his friend Grandma Beetle’s birthday party. Zelmiro the Ghost reminds him he needs a present, and it must be what Grandma would love the most.

Señor Calavera is quite creative in the many presents he collects. But each time, Zelmiro wonders if that really is what Grandma would like the most. Finally, when Calavera has gathered dozens of presents, he rides his bicycle as fast as he can to get to the party. When he trips over a rock, disaster strikes and the presents are ruined. What will he do? (Recommended for ages 4 – 9)

Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola

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There are many versions of the Cinderella story told all around the world, and Tomie dePaola has written a delightful one set in Mexico. Kind-hearted Adelita is taken by surprise when her stepmother grows even more cruel after the death of her father.

Adelita longs to attend the fiesta at the Gordillo’s ranch, celebrating the homecoming of their son Javier.  Her stepmother tells her she’s too dirty to go. Rather than a fairy godmother showing up, Adelita is visited by Esperenza, the loving nanny who raised her (and who the stepmother had fired.) After Javier falls in love with Adelita, he looks for her beautiful rebozo all over town so that they might be reunited. (Recommended for ages 5 – 10)

Related Post: Best Children’s Books about Guatemala

Fiesta Femenina: Celebrating Women of Mexican Folklore by Mary-Joan Gerson and Maya Christina Gonzalez

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This stunningly illustrated collection of folktales from a variety of indigenous peoples of Mexico features many strong women. In “Rosha and the Sun,” Rosha is devastated when her brother uses her hair to trap the sun. Realizing that soon all the corn will die, she alone must figure out a way to free the sun.

In “Why the Moon Is Free,” we learn of how the moon cleverly tricks the Sun who wants to marry her. She tells him he must first give her a gift of beautiful clothing, which must be exactly her size. The Sun soon discovers that the Moon’s constantly changing shape makes this task impossible. (Recommended for ages 6 – 12).

Related Post: 18 Picture Books Featuring Strong, Feisty Girls

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh

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This book would make an excellent addition to an elementary art classroom! Tonatiuh describes how Rivera developed his ground-breaking artistic style. Tonatiuh explains how Diego’s travels across Mexico inspired his murals that told the stories of indigenous traditions and key moments in Mexican history when people resisted oppression.

What makes this particular book unique is how halway through the book, Tonatiuh begins to imagine how Diego might paint our world if he were still alive. Would he paint our cities the way he painted the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán? Would he paint luchadores wrestling as he painted Aztec warriors fighting the Spanish? (Recommended for ages 6 – 10)

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Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes

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It’s refreshing to find a mystery for middle grade readers that has a heroine of color! Young Paloma Marquez is not excited to be spending four weeks of her summer break in Mexico City. She’d much rather stay in Kansas City with her friends. But perhaps time in Mexico will help her connect more with her deceased father’s heritage.

Paloma soon meets two sisters who want her help in solving a mystery. Can they help her find Frida Kahlo’s valuable peacock ring, which has gone missing? As she begins her quest, Paloma dreams of Frida, who tells her “It’s true that I am missing something…But you’re missing something too.” (Recommended for ages 8 – 12)