Even though nearly 18% of Americans are Latine, only 5 percent of the children’s books published in 2018 starred Latine characters. These statistics clearly don’t represent equity for Latine children yet,  but they do show significant progress over the past five years. (Just four years earlier, less than 2% of the children’s books published were about Latine characters.)

Whether you want to provide Latine children with books that are mirrors of their lives, or give non-Latine children windows into other children’s worlds, read on for our favorite fiction and non-fiction picture books starring Latine kids and adults.

(For an explanation of the use of the word “Latine” versus “Latinx” in order to be gender inclusive, see this article.)

Disclosure: For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I received complimentary review copies of Pura’s Cuentos and Mi Casa Is My Home from their publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Great Latine Children’s Fiction Books

Grandma’s Records by Eric Velasquez

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“Sometimes,” Eric’s grandma tells him, “a song can say everything that is in your heart as if it was written just for you.”

Listening to records with Grandma each day is Eric’s favorite part of summer break. There’s one song in particular that always makes Grandma close her eyes and put her hand over her heart. He loves to watch her reaction, but he doesn’t really understand why the song moves her so much until her nephew and his band arrive from Puerto Rico to perform in New York. (Recommended for ages 5 – 9. Afro-Puerto Rican author.)

Related Post: 12 middle grade children’s books for Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month

Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurenne Sala and Zara González Hoang

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Young Lucia welcomes readers into her cozy, friendly, multigenerational home, where Spanish and English are intermingled. Things are very busy in her casa, from the sala where she builds blanket forts to keep out the light (and the hermanos) to the cocina where Mamá performs cooking milagros.

I appreciated that the story didn’t get bogged down with translating Spanish phrases. Lucia just speaks to us like she would a friend as she gives us a tour of her home. Children who don’t speak Spanish will be able to figure out most of the words from clues in the pictures and texts. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Puerto Rican author.)

Related Post: 11 fun children’s books that teach Spanish vocabulary

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

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Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks her name is just too long. She can’t even fit it on a piece of paper! Her father decides to tell her the story of her name, so that she can determine whether it fits.

As Daddy shares the story of each family member that she is named after, Alma sees that each person’s name does describe a part of who she is, or what she wants to do. I love how the playful pictures capture each family member’s essence. In the end, Alma realizes that her name tells a story that she’s eager to share with others. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Peruvian author.)

Run Little Chaski! An Inka Trail Adventure by Mariana Llanos and Mariana Ruiz Johnson

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Follow little Chaski back to the ancient Inka empire, where he’s taken on an important job: being the king’s messenger. The queen gives him his first message to deliver, stressing how important it is that he not be late. Chaski is both a fast runner and steadfast to this mission, but he keeps being delayed because of animals who need his help. (The illustrations in the story practically crackle with action as the boy’s adventure unfolds.)

When little Chaski fears that he has failed his mission, his new animal friends find surprising ways to help him. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Peruvian author. Also available in Spanish.)

Pablo’s Tree by Pat Mora and Cecily Lang

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Each year, Pablo cannot wait for his birthday visit with his Abuelito. He can’t stop asking his mother how Lito decorated his tree this year. Pablo plans to sit under the tree all day long and play with his new birthday toys.

Grandpa is eager to tell the Pablo the story of his tree, which Pablo has forgotten. As soon as Pablo’s mother told her father she was going to adopt a baby, Lito bought a tree from the nursery. While they waited for news about the baby, Lito scouted out the perfect spot for the new baby’s tree. When baby Pablo finally arrived, Lito planted his tree while Pablo and Mama watched. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, Mexican-American author.)

Related Post: 12 Engaging Children’s Books about Mexico

Sand Sister by Amanda White and Yuyi Morales

When Paloma’s family arrives at the beach, she thinks it’s the most beautiful place she’s ever seen. But there’s one thing missing: unlike the other kids, she doesn’t have a sister or brother to play with.

Paloma draws a picture of a little girl in the sand, wishing that she had a sister too. When Old Daddy Rock magically brings her sand sister  to life, they play games, chase seagulls, and even have the same kind of disagreements other siblings have. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. White author, Mexican-American illustrator.)

I Love Saturdays y domingos by Alma Flor Ada and Elivia Savadier

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A little girl shares about her special time with her grandparents that happens every weekend. On Saturdays, she spends time with Grandpa and Grandma, who are white. On domingos, she is with her Abuelito y Abuelita, who are Latinx.

Each page spread tell us parallels about what she does with each side of her family, from the pets she plays with to the family history she learns. The pages about her Abuelito and Abuelita are sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8, Cuban-American author.)

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¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! by Diana Cohn and Francisco Delgado

Carlitos’ mama is one of the many hard-working janitors who clean the tall glass office buildings of Los Angeles at night. One day, his mother sits him down to explain that she can’t take care of him and his grandmother like she wants too. That’s because even after her work as a janitor, and her weekend work cleaning houses, her wages are too little for basic necessities.

That’s why his mother is joining with other janitors to go on strike. Carlitos wants to help his mother, but he’s not sure how. At school, he discovers that there are other children whose parents are on strike. He has an idea that he shares with his teacher. Together his class makes to support the workers.

Carlitos is proud to surprise his mother with his sign: “I love my Mama! She is a janitor!” (Recommended for ages 3 – 7, bilingual English/Spanish edition).

Related Post: 15 Picture Books about Social Justice and Human Rights

What Can You Do with a Rebozo? ¿Qué puedes hacer con un rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla and Amy Córdova

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For centuries, Mexican woman have know there are so many things you can do with a rebozo (shawl.) In this story, a little girl recounts how her mother and even their whole family use her rebozo in countless ways.

While she and her baby brother play hide and seek with a blue rebozo, her big sister ties a red one in loops through her shiny hair. On her birthday, they use the rebozo to cover her eyes while she swings at a piñata. It can even become a flying cape for a superhero on Halloween! (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Chicana author. bilingual English/Spanish edition)

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Lola’s Fandango by Anna Witte and Micha Archer

Papi gives her secret dancing lessons on the roof while Mami and her sister Clementina are at the grocery store. Lola practices again and again, but will she have the duende (spirit) it takes to become a true flamenco dancer? (Recommended for ages 4 – 9. White author. Also available in Spanish).

Kitchen Dance by Maurie J. Manning

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Many children suspect that after they go to bed, their parents have a party. In Kitchen Dance, this is kind of true! A little girl wakes up her brother after she hears all kinds of noises coming from the kitchen. They spy their father twirling their mother across the room, as they also put away the dishes.

Papa sings her a love song into a wooden spoon, until they notice the peeking faces in the door. Then the children also become part of the dance and love song. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)

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Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and Rafael López

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This illustrated poem was inspired by Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl. In the 1930s, she broke the cultural taboo that only men could play drums. The illustrations of her dreams of drumming are magical; I wanted to dive right into the pages of the book.

For a long time, the girl must only drum in her dreams, or inside herself as she walks through town. When her gift reveals itself to her family, her father has to decide how to respond. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8, Cuban-American author.)

Inspiring non-fiction children’s books that tell Latine stories

La Frontera: El viaje con papá/My Journey with Papa by Deborah Mills, Alfredo Alva, and Claudia Navarro

La Frontera tells the true story of how Alfredo Alva and his father immigrated from Mexico to the U.S without papers.

When his grandfather becomes too old to make the daily 5 mile trip with his father to work in the pine tree forest, Alfredo and his family start to go hungry. His father decides that he and Alfredo must go to America where he can earn more, while the other children will stay behind with his mother.

During their journey, we not only witness their hardships. We also see how Alfredo’s father encourages him with warmth and humor through their difficult journey. The book includes several pages of illustrated educational notes that help children explore important questions about why people immigrate and what their experiences are like. (Recommended for ages 5 – 10, Mexican-American author, bilingual English/Spanish edition)

Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories by Annette Bay Pimentel and Magaly Morales

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Groundbreaking librarian Pura Belpré grew up surrounded by imaginative, funny cuentos, thanks to her Abuela. Perhaps that’s why, when she moved from Puerta Rico to New York City as an adult, the children’s section of the library felt like such a special place.

She was soon hired to work in the library, where no one else could speak Spanish with patrons. Pura is disappointed that there are stories from Germany, Italy, and Ireland in the children’s sections, but no stories like the ones her Abuela tells. She convinces her co-workers to let her tell the stories she knows, like the one about a mouse and cockroach who fall in love. Children and adults alike are spellbound by her performances, but Pura isn’t done yet. Her next mission is to make the library a place where Puerto Rican children, and others who speak Spanish, will want to spend time.

With beautiful, quirky illustrations and a captivating story, this book is perfect for cultivating a love of reading in children. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8.)

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Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh

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If you’ve ever been to a Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, you’ve probably seen calaveras. They’re skeletons who perform everyday activities, celebrating the joy and humor of life.

Funny Bones tells the story of the calaveras and of their most famous creator, José Guadalupe Posada. Posada was also an artist, poet, and political cartoonist. His poems and etchings were especially in demand during el Dia de Muertos celebrations.

Tonatiuh produces several examples throughout the book, asking thoughtful questions about what Posada was trying to communicate in the skeleton art. He also shows how Posada used his art to criticize powerful political leaders. My favorite page is the last. It asks what today’s calaveras would look like, showing skeletons on scooters and with drum sets.  (Recommended for ages 7 – 11, Mexican-American author.)

Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor and Lulu Delacre

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As Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor tells children her life story, she emphasizes the power of the written word again and again. Learning to read in English was not easy for her, but her love of books prompted her to keep trying.

From the poems that her grandmother recited about life in Puerto Rico, to the Bible, to science fiction, “books were lenses, bringing into focus truths about the world around me.” Children slowly see her worldview taking shape, as she realizes that people who get into trouble still deserve to be treated fairly under the law. (Recommended for ages 7 – 11, Puerto Rican author.)

Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World by Gary Golio and Rudy Gutierrez

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Legendary musician Carlos Satana grew up surrounded by his father’s music. Even though he felt compelled to be a musician, he eventually realized that he did not enjoy playing violin in his father’s mariachi band.

Then, while playing music for tourists in the streets of Tijuana, he heard American blues musicians like Muddy Waters and B.B. King. This was music that spoke to his soul. Eventually his father accepted the different musical path Carlos wants to take, buying him a used electric guitar. No one knew then that Carlos would use his guitar to create a new kind of rock and roll that also drew on his Latinx roots. (Recommended for ages 7 – 11)

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

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There are several good children’s books about the ground-breaking 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 it 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 Frida’s footsteps to become artists. (Recommended for ages 3 +, Mexican-American author. Bilingual English and Spanish edition)

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull and Yuyi Morales

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Cesar Chavez may have seemed an unlikely person to become a leader of the labor movement.  He was from a farmworker family, a group of workers who had never been organized before. He was quiet and shy. His family did grueling work, and because of it suffered poverty, physical pain and danger, and humiliating racism. This fueled Cesar’s determination to organize his fellow farm workers.

People soon saw that “Cesar showed a knack for solving problems.” Harvesting Hope shares in vivid detail the 300 mile march from the grape fields of Delano to California’s capital of Sacramento. There, the United Farm Workers planned to ask for the governor’s help. Near the end of the march, Cesar received a message which he was sure was a joke, saying that grape company officials wanted to meet.

In Sacramento, they were able to announce that Cesar had just signed the first union contract for farmworkers in American history.(Recommended for ages 4 – 8).

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter and Raúl Colón

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As a child growing up in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente was so determined to play baseball that he carved his first bat from a guava tree branch and sewed his first glove from a coffee bean sack.

He soon became used to winning at baseball, so being recruited to play for the last place Pittsburgh Pirates was a new experience for him. Though it didn’t take long for him to become a fan favorite, reporters had many racist and disrespectful things to say about this Afro-Latinx player.

Winter and Colón capture not only why Clemente was a remarkable athlete, but also how large his heart was for the people of Puerto Rico, and people throughout Central America. (Recommended for ages 6 – 10)

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