September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and while I would never claim to be an expert on Hispanic Heritage, I do know a thing or two about books. So here are some of my top recommendations to share with your patrons this month – and all year long.
All Around Us by Xelena González
A young child and her grandfather meditate on the cycle of life and interconnectedness of everything in this gorgeous picture book.
¡Vamos! Let’s Go to Market by Raúl the Third
Do you love Richard Scarry? Do you love old-fashioned cartoons? Then you’re going to want to check out Raúl González’s ¡Vamos! picture books, both of which follow Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe as they explore their town.
Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale retold by Carmen Agra Deedy
In this retelling of the classic Cuban folktale made popular in the U.S. by Pura Belpré herself, a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide which one she should marry.
The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez
A collection of three Latin American folktales retold in contemporary graphic novel format. With the addition of detailed backmatter, this is a must-read for fans of folklore and fantasy.
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
One of my favorite releases on the children’s fiction market this year, Ghost Squad tells the story of Lucely Luna and her family’s business: ghosts. When Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that awakens an evil spirit, the two must work with Syd’s witch grandmother to stop the haunting before it’s too late.
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
After relocating to live with his grandmother, Cuban-American Nestor must use his ability to talk to animals in order to clear her good name and save his new hometown from a dark threat.
Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
It’s the first day of summer break, and Maximiliano Córdoba is excited to spend his days practicing soccer skills to join the local team and his nights listening to the magical stories Buelo tells. Instead, he soon finds himself on a dangerous journey to not only learn more about himself but hopefully also about the mother who left when he was just a baby.
Looking for more recommendations to share for Hispanic Heritage Month? Check out these lists:
15 Picture Books That Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
19 Children’s Books To Read In Honor Of Hispanic Heritage Month
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: IV. Knowledge, Curation, and Management of Materials