LATINO/LATINA - HISPANIC AMERICANS

Realistic fiction

Non-fiction

Traditional

Biography

Historical fiction

Poetry

Fantasy

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Note: RECENLTY ADDED TITLES APPEAR IN RED.

Realistic fiction

Ada, A. F. (2002). I love Saturdays y Domingos. Illustrated by E. Savadier. New York: Atheneum. (K-3)

Saturdays and Sundays are very special days for the child in this story. On Saturdays, she visits Grandma and Grandpa, who come from a European-American background, and on Sundays -- los domingos -- she visits Abuelito y Abuelita, who are Mexican-American. While the two sets of grandparents are different in many ways, they also have a great deal in common -- in particular, their love for their granddaughter. While we follow our narrator to the circus and the pier, share stories from her grandparents’ pasts, and celebrate her birthday, the depth and joy of both cultures are conveyed in Spanish and English. This affirmation of both heritages will speak to all children who want to know more about their own families and ethnic backgrounds. (amazon.com)

Ada, A. F. (1995). My name is Maria Isabel. Illustrated by K. D. Thompson. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (2-5)

Third grader Maria Isabel, born in Puerto Rico and now living in the U.S., wants badly to fit in at school; and the teacher’s writing assignment “My Greatest Wish” gives her that opportunity. (amazon.com)

Ada, A. F. (199). The gold coin. Illustrated by N. Waldman. New York: Scott Foresman. (K-3)

Determined to steal an old woman’s gold coin, a young thief follows her around the countryside and finds himself involved in a series of unexpected activities. (card catalog)

Altman, L. J. (1995). Amelia’s road. Illustrated by E. O. Sanchez. New York: Lee & Low. (K-3)

Tired of moving around so much, Amelia, the daughter of migrant farm workers, dreams of a stable home. (amazon.com)

Anaya, R. (1999). Farolitos for Abuelo. Illustrated by E. Gonzales. Hyperion. (1-4)

When Luz’s beloved grandfather dies, she places luminaria around his grave on Christmas Eve as a way of remembering him. (card catalog)

Anaya, R. (1995). The farolitos of Christmas. Illustrated by E. Gonzales. Hyperion. (1-4)

With her father away fighting in World War II and her grandfather too sick to create the traditional luminaria, Luz helps create farolitos, little lanterns, for their Christmas celebration instead. (card catalog)

Anaya, R. (2004). The santero’s miracle: A bilingual story. Illustrated by A. Cordova.

University of New Mexico Press. (1-4)

In this bilingual story of faith, Don Jacobo has a dream that, in the end, is a reminder that miracles do happen. Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andrés how to become a santero. Christmas is coming, snow is falling in the village, and the two are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. The half-finished carving stands in the living room beside the two oxen and the angel that don Jacobo carved earlier in the month. The snow-covered mountains are beautiful, but the road to the village is impassable. Andrés’s parents will not be able to get to the house for the holiday, and Jacobo’s neighbor Leopoldo is desperately ill but cannot get to the hospital. Then comes Jacobo’s dream; San Isidro is plowing with the two oxen and the angel is helping. "But we don’t plow ’til April” don Jacobo muses upon awakening. "What does it mean?” The night had been bitterly cold and don Jacobo must bundle up to go to the barn to feed his cows and chickens. As he steps outside, he can hardly believe his eyes. The snow-packed road is clear. (amazon.com)

Brusca, M. (1993). On the pampas. Madison, WS: Turtleback Books. (K-3)

An account of a little girl’s idyllic summer at her grandparents’ ranch on the pampas of Argentina. (card catalog)

Bunting, E. (1998). Going home. Illustrated by D. Diaz. New York: HarperTrophy. (K-3)

From a Caldecott-medal winning team comes the heartwarming story of one family’s special Christmas homecoming. On his trip to Mexico for the holidays, Carlos comes to realize that home can be anywhere, because it stays in the hearts of the people who love you. (amazon.com)

Buss, F. L. (1993). Journey of the sparrows. New York: Yearling. (4-6)

The story of fifteen-year-old Maria Acosta, fleeing El Salvador with her sister and brother, is told in a devastating narrative. The writing is direct, almost documentary, with the emphasis on the plight of the refugees and their desperate attempt to survive and reunite their family. (Horn Book, 1992)

Calhoun, M. (1996). Tonio’s cat. Illustrated by E. Martinez. New York: William Morrow & Company. (K-3)

Brought to life through sun-drenching illustrations, this is the heartwarming story of the love that grows between a lonely little boy and a streetwise cat. (amazon.com)

Casteneda, O. S. (1995). Abuela’s weave. Illustrated by E. O. Sanchez. New York: Lee & Low. (K-4)

A young Guatemalan girl and her grandmother grow closer as they weave some special creations and then make a trip to the market in hopes of selling them. (card catalog)

Christopher, M. (1994). Centerfield ballhawk. Illustrated by E. Beier. New York: Little, Brown and Company. (3-5)

While grounded from team play for two weeks after breaking a neighbor’s window, Jose Mendez bemoans his inability to be a .375 hitter like his father was in the minor leagues. Even his sister is a good hitter. Jose comes to recognize his value as a fielder in the satisfying, if predictable, resolution. (Horn Book, 1992)

Ciavonne, J. (2001). Carlos, light the farolito. Illustrated by D. Clair. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

In a unique, illustrated holiday story, little Carlos must overcome his shyness when he is forced to play his grandfather’s part in the traditional Mexican Christmas pageant known as Las Posadas, a reenactment of the Nativity. (amazon.com)

Cohn, D. (2002). Dream carver. Illustrated by A. Cordova. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle. (K-3)

Mateo and his father carve juguetes, the traditional small wooden animals their family sells at the fiestas in Oaxaca. But Mateo wants to create great big carvings of goats that are pink as bougainvillea and have cactus-green speckles; purple cats with corn-yellow spots and rose-colored jaguars. When he tells his father this dream, he’s scolded for his foolishness, but Mateo perseveres and at the next fiesta, everyone wants one of his creations! Including an informative afterword on this vibrant Mexican art form, this colorful take encourages readers of all ages to follow their dreams. (amazon.com)

Crowley, J. (1998). Gracias the Thanksgiving turkey. Illustrated by J. Cepeda. New York: Scholastic Trade. (K-3)

Young Puerto Rican boy Miguel refuses to go anywhere without his turkey companion, a bird too dear for the Thanksgiving table, and the pair delights everyone in their New York City neighborhood. (amazon.com)

Dominguez, K. K. (2002). The perfect piñata/La piñata perfecta. Illustrated by D. Paterson. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (K-3)

In preparation for her birthday party, five-year-old Marisa picks out a colorful, butterfly pinata and insists on placing it on her dresser, instead of storing it in the closet. The more she plays with the pinata, the more attached to it she becomes.. On the day of her party, she can’t bear to hit the beautiful pinata. Fortunately, her understanding. creative parents solve the problem and all ends well, with candy streaming from a homemade pinata, and the butterfly safe in Marisa’s arms. Told in English and Spanish, the story is well paced and satisfying. Spanish words placed in the English narrative are easily understood in context. The watercolor pictures convey Marisa’s attachment to the butterfly and her emotional turmoil in the midst of a lively party. Birthday stories are always popular; this new one adds a Latin flavor and an unusual twist. (Booklist)

Dorros, A. (1997). Radio Man: A story in English and Spanish. Translated by S. M. Dorros. New York: HarperTrophy. (1-4)

Diego and his family are migrant farmers who move from state to state picking fruits and vegetables. Each day brings a new experience – a different place, a different crop, and different people to meet. But no matter where Diego goes, his radio goes with him – it helps him to learn about the places he’s going and to keep in touch with the people he meets along the way. (amazon.com)

Dorros, A. (1995). Tonight is Carnaval. New York: Puffin. (4-6)

A family in South America eagerly prepares for the excitement of Carnaval. (card catalog).

Estes, K. R. (1999). Manuela’s gift. Illustrated by C. Cotts. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (K-3)

A young girl is disappointed when she doesn’t get the new party dress she wanted for her birthday. But a dream shows her all the things she has to be thankful for. Poetic text and magical paintings make a touching story. (amazon.com)

Figueredo, D. H. (1999). When this world was new. Illustrated by E. O. Sanchez. New York: Lee & Low. (K-3)

When Danilito and his parents move from the Caribbean to New York City, Danilito is scared. He doesn’t speak any English, and he’s heard that some Americans aren’t friendly to foreigners. Danilito’s parents have worries too, about finding new jobs and a new house. But Danilito’s fears disappear when he wakes to the wonder of his first snowfall. His father leads him on a magical trip of discovery that helps Danilito embrace his new home and realize his bond with his family. (amazon.com)

Fine, E. H. (2002). Under the lemon moon. Illustrated by R. K. Moreno. New York: Lee & Low. (K-3)

The theft of all the lemons from her lemon tree leads Rosalinda to an encounter with la Anciana, the Old One, who walks the Mexican countryside helping things grow, and an understanding of generosity and forgiveness. (amazon.com)

Hurwitz, J. (1999). New shoes for Silvia. Illustrated by J. Pinkney. New York: Mulberry Press. (K-3)

A young girl receives a beautiful pair of red shoes from her Tia Rosita and finds different uses for them until she grows enough for them to fit. (card catalog)

Jimenez, F. (2000). La mariposa. Illustrated by S. Silva. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

In his first year of school, Francisco understands little of what his teacher says. But he is drawn to the silent, slow-moving caterpillar in the jar next to his desk. He knows caterpillars turn into butterflies, but just how do they do it? To find out, he studies the words in a butterfly book so many times that he can close his eyes and see the black letters, but he still can’t understand their meaning. Illustrated with paintings as deep and rich as the wings of a butterfly, this honest, unsentimental account of a schoolchild’s struggle to learn language reveals that our imaginations powerfully sustain us. La Mariposa makes a subtle plea for tolerance in our homes, our communities, and in our schools. (amazon.com)

Jimenez, F. (2000). The Christmas gift. Illustrated by C. Cotts. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

With honesty and rare grace, award-winning author Francisco Jimenez shares his most poignant Christmas memory in this remarkable book. Illustrated with paintings full of strength and warmth, written in spare bilingual text, this simple story celebrates the true spirit of Christmas, and illuminates how children do indeed draw strength from the bonds of their families. (amazon.com)

Lachtman, O. D. (1995). Pepita talks twice. Illustrated by A. P. DeLange. Houston, TX: Arte Publico/Pinata. (K-3)

This colorfully illustrated picture book charmingly explores the joys and benefits of bilingualism. Capturing the beauty and flavor of biculturalism, this story of a little girl at the crossroads of the English and Spanish-speaking worlds will delight children of all backgrounds who enjoy multicultural identities. (amazon.com)

Leiner, K. (2001). Mama does the Mambo. Illustrated by E. Rodriguez. New York: Hyperion. (K-4)

Sofia tells this story set in Cuba during a time when LPs, not CDs, provided entertainment. Since her papa’s death, the music has stopped in their household and the girl worries that her mother will never find another dance partner. From all over Havana, men line up to get the chance to dance with her, but she is not interested. In the end, Mama chooses to mambo with Sofia at carnival. The text is peppered with easily understood Spanish phrases. Rodriguez’s artwork, done in pastel, gouache, and spray paint with woodblock-ink linework, is dramatic and attractive. Vibrant oranges and reds express the passion mother and daughter have for music and dance. (School Library Journal)

Luenn, N. (1998). A gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead. Illustrated by R. Chapman. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing. (K-3)

After her beloved grandmother dies, Rosita hopes to be reunited with Abuelita as she prepares a gift to give her when her family celebrates the Day of the Dead. (amazon.com)

Markel, M. (1995). Gracias, Rosa. Illustrated by D. Paterson. Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman. (K-3)

Kate has a new babysitter, Rosa, who speaks Spanish and comes from Guatemala. Despite their different backgrounds, a sense of appreciation and acceptance of cultural diversity develops between the child and her caretaker. The text is sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases that Rosa teaches Kate. Gentle watercolors capture the evolving friendship in this affectionate story. (Horn Book, 1995)

Marzollo, J. (1997). Soccer cousins. Illustrated by I. Trivas. Canada: Cartwheel Books. (2-4)

This entry in the Hello Reader! Series works some basic Spanish and information about Mexico’s celebration of the Day of the Dead into the story. David’s lack of success on the soccer field convinces him that he’s not cut out to play. However, he’s thrilled to be invited to Mexico to watch his cousin play. The visit turns out to be a great opportunity for David to learn about the holiday and to regain his confidence on the sports field. (Booklist)

Miller, E. I. (1999). Just like home! Come en mi tierra. Illustrated by M. Reisberg. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (K-3)

A young girl describes how she adjusts to life in the United States as she evaluates the similarities and differences between her new home and her former home. Some things are the same, while others are vastly different. The child’s viewpoint is conveyed through folkloric-style illustrations accompanied by a succinct, lively text in both Spanish and English. (Horn Book, 1999)

Mohr, N. (1999). Going home. New York: Puffin. (4-6)

Everything in Felita’s life seems to change the year she turns twelve. Felita spends her summer in Puerto Rico, where she struggles to fit in. By the time summer has ended, Felita is beginning to feel at home with herself and her Puerto Rican heritage. (amazon.com)

Mora, P. (1997). A birthday basket for Tia. Illustrated by C. Lang. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (K-3)

With the help and interference of her cat Chica, Cecilia prepares a surprise gift for her great-aunt’s ninetieth birthday. (card catalog).

Mora, P. (1994). Pablo’s tree. Illustrated by C. Lang. New York: Simon & Schuster. (K-3)

Each year on his birthday, a young Mexican American boy looks forward to seeing how his grandfather has decorated the tree he planted on the day the boy was adopted. (card catalog)

Mora., P. (1999). The rainbow tulip. Illustrated by E. Sayles. New York: Viking. (K-3)

A Mexican-American first-grader experiences the difficulties and pleasures of being different when she wears a tulip costume with all the colors of the rainbow for the school May Day parade. (amazon.com)

Perez, A. I. (2002). My diary from here to there/Mi diario de aqui hasta alla. Illustrated by M. C. Gonzalez. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (2-5)

One night young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to Los Angeles where greater opportunity awaits. As she and her family journey north, Amada records in her diary her fears, hopes, and dreams for their lives in the United States. Amada learns that with her family’s love and a belief in herself, she can make any journey and triumph over any change — here, there, anywhere. (amazon.com)

Perez, A. I. (2000). My very own room: Mi propio cuartito. Illustrated by M. C. Gonzalez. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (K-3)

As the oldest and only girl in her family, the determined narrator not only dreams of having her own room, she finds a way to make it happen. With her mother’s permission and her four brothers’ help, she transforms a storage closet into a small bedroom. The bilingual first-person text realistically portrays a child who takes charge and makes changes. The art’s curved lines and warm colors add to the sense of family unity and security. (Horn Book, 2001)

Perez, L. K. (2002). First day in grapes. Illustrated by R. Casilla. Lee and Low Books. (1-3)

All year long, Chico’s family moves up and down the state of California to pick fruits and vegetables. Every September, Chico starts at a new school. Often, the other kids pick on him — maybe because he’s always new, or maybe because he speaks Spanish sometimes. But third grade promises to be different. He likes his teacher, and she recognizes his excellent abilities in math — he may even get to go to the math fair! When some fourth-grade bullies tease him, he surprises them with strengths of his own. (amazon.com)

Reeve, K. (1998). Lolo and Red-Legs. Flagstaff, AZ: Rising Moon Books for Young Readers. (4-6)

When eleven-year-old Lolo captures a tarantula, it turns an ordinary summer into a series of adventures that take him and his friends beyond their Mexican-American neighborhood in East Los Angeles. (amazon.com)

Reiser, L. (1996). Margaret and Margarita – Margarita y Margaret. New York: Pearson Learning. (K-3)

Margaret speaks English but not Spanish. Margarita speaks Spanish but not English. Can they still play? Of course they can! (amazon.com)

Reiser, L. (1998). Tortillas and lullabies. Illustrated by C. Valientes Organization. New York: Greenwillow. (K-3)

Written in English and Spanish, this companion to Reiser’s "Cherry Pies and Lullabies” tells another story of family love - this time within a Costa Rican culture. Extraordinary folk-art paintings by "Corazones Valientes”, an organization of Costa Rican women artists, accompany the tale. (amazon.com)

Rodriguez, L. J. (1999). It doesn’t have to be this way: A Barrio story. Illustrated by D. Galvez. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (4-6)

One day, a member of the local gang tells Monchi it’s time to join up. He is scared but excited. The older boys give him the handshake, girls talk to him, and even teachers are afraid of him. But when a tragic event changes everything, Monchi must make an important decision. The love and respect of his uncle helps him find a way out. (amazon.com)

Ryan. P. M. (2005). Becoming Naomi Leon. Scholastic. (4-7)

Half-Mexican Naomi Soledad, 11, and her younger disabled brother, Owen, have been brought up by their tough, loving great-grandmother in a California trailer park, and they feel at home in the multiracial community. Then their alcoholic mom reappears after seven years with her slimy boyfriend, hoping to take Naomi (not Owen) back and collect the welfare check. Determined not to let that happen, Gram drives the trailer across the border to a barrio in Oaxaca to search for the children’s dad at the city’s annual Christmas arts festival. In true mythic tradition, Ryan, the author of the award-winning Esperanza Rising (2000), makes Naomi’s search for her dad a search for identity, and both are exciting. Mom is demonized, but the other characters are more complex, and the quest is heartbreaking. The dense factual detail about the festival sometimes slows the story, but it’s an effective tool for dramatizing Naomi’s discovery of her Mexican roots and the artist inside herself. (Booklist)

Soto, G. (1998). Big bushy mustache. Illustrated by J. Cepeda. New York: Knopf. (K-3)

It’s almost Cinco de Mayo, and Ricky’s class is going to put on a play to celebrate the festive Mexican holiday. When asked to choose his costume, Ricky picks a big, bushy mustache, just like his dad’s. With humor and tenderness, Soto evokes a warm celebration of both the beloved tradition of Cinco de Mayo and the strong bonds of love between father and son. (amazon.com)

Soto, G. (2002). If the shoe fits. Illustrated by T. Widener. New York: Putnam. (K-4)

Rigo doesn’t like being the youngest brother. He always has to wear his big brothers’ hand-me-downs. Plus, his brothers-Hector, Manuel, and Carlos-always seem to lose buttons, rip holes, and wear the clothes out before they get to Rigo! But Rigo’s luck changes on his birthday when his mom gives him a pair of shoes. He loves them for their shine and style, but most of all he loves them because they are brand-new. After he outgrows the shoes, and trades them to his uncle for old Mexican centavos, Rigo learns that some hand-me-downs are better than brand-new. (amazon.com)

Soto, G. (1998). Snapshots from the wedding. Illustrated by S. Garcia. New York: Paper Star. (K-3)

Maya attends a family wedding and captures it all on film, from her cousin getting rice in his eye to the cake that tasted as delicious as it looked, in a beautifully illustrated tale of a special family day. (amazon.com)

Soto, G. (1992). Taking sides. New York: Harcourt Brace. (4-6)

Fourteen-year-old Lincoln Mendoza, an aspiring basketball player, must come to terms with his divided loyalties when he moves from the Hispanic inner city to a white suburban neighborhood. (card catalog)

Soto, G. (1998). The old man and his door. Illustrated by J. Cepeda. New York: Paper Star. (K-3)

Failing to pay attention to his wife’s instructions to bring el puerco, the main dish, to his neighbor’s barbecue, an elderly gardener brings instead la puerca, a door, with educational results. (amazon.com)

Soto, G. (1994). The skirt. Illustrated by E. Velasquez. New York: Yearling Books. (4-6)

Miata Ramirez is heartsick after leaving her mother’s folklorico skirt on the bus, so she enlists the help of her best friend, Ana, to find the skirt before the upcoming folklorico dance. (amazon.com)

Soto, G. (1996). Too many tamales. Illustrated by E. Martinez. New York: Scott Foresman. (K-3)

Maria tries on her mother’s wedding ring while helping make tamales for a Christmas family get-together. Panic ensues when hours later, she realizes the ring is missing. (card catalog)

Torres, L. (1999). Saturday sancocho. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux. (K-3)

Everyday Saturday, Maria Lili makes chicken sancocho with her grandparents. Mama Ana and Papa Angelino. One Saturday they discover that there is nothing in the house except eggs. Somehow, Mama Ana has a way to make chicken sancocho with eggs, and Maria Lili can’t wait to find out how. (amazon.com)

Velasquez, E. (2001). Grandma’s records. New York: Walker & Company. (K-3)

Velasquez relates his personal experience as a young boy who spent summers with his grandmother in 1950s Spanish Harlem, where “Grandma wrapped me in her world of music.” As merengues and salsas played all through the long, hot summer, Grandma would dance and tell Eric about her life in Puerto Rico. One day, Grandma’s nephew Sammy, who plays percussion in the best band in Puerto Rico, comes to town for a concert. He surprises Grandma and Eric with tickets to the show. The concert proves to be "a magical moment in time” for Eric, and particularly for Grandma, whose special song, "In My Old San Juan,” is sung directly to her. The song, which describes the sadness and uncertainties of leaving Puerto Rico for a foreign country, is reproduced at the book’s end in both Spanish and English. Rich oil paintings lovingly depict the special times in Grandma’s New York apartment and the excitement of the live concert. Short biographies of the band’s three famous members add to the book’s value as a resource for a study of the Puerto Rican culture. (Booklist)

Vidal, B. (2004). Federico and the Magi’s gift: A Latin American Christmas story. Knopf. (K-2)

On the night of January fifth, Federico and his sisters go to sleep hoping for gifts from the Magi, who "ride though the night sky bringing regalos to good girls and boys.” While his sisters and parents are sleeping, wakeful Federico goes out and watches the stars until he sees the Magi approaching on their flying camels. The appended glossary helpfully translates regalos (gifts) and eight other Spanish words, though the meanings are usually evident from the context and illustrations. Decoratively patterned, the gouache-and-watercolor paintings employ naive forms and glowing colors to create magical scenes expressing a child's delight in a world that is full of wonders: the dark, quiet garden; the constellations; and the Magi themselves. According to the jacket flap, the story is based on Vidal's childhood experiences in Argentina, and the artwork does have the look of a lovingly re-created time and place. With its quiet narrative and beautiful illustrations, this celebrates the end of the Christmas season in a distinctly Latin American way, yet its story is accessible to every child. (Booklist)

Wing, N. (1996). Jalapeno bagels. Illustrated by R. Casilla. New York: Atheneum Books. (K-3)

While trying to decide what to take for his school’s International Day, Pablo helps his Mexican mother and Jewish father at their bakery and discovers a food that represents both his parents’ backgrounds. (amazon. com)

Winter, J. (2003). Nino’s mask. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

When Nino is told he is too young to wear a mask at the fiesta, he carves his own and surprises his family and the village by becoming the hero Perro who catches the Tigre and saves the corn crop for the year. The story, relayed in hand-lettered dialogue balloons, is told in first person with Spanish words (in capitals) incorporated into Nino’s thoughts as he considers all the masks and figures he could be. Winter’s art is more textured than usual, with decorative lines creating patterns that reflect Mexican motifs. Her felt-tip-pen pictures, infused with warm pinks and oranges, capture the flavor of the story’s backdrop. An illustrated glossary and an explanation of the fiesta customs can be found on the back page. (Booklist)

BACK

Non-fiction

Amado, E. (1999). Barrilete: A kite for the Day of the Dead. Photographs by J. Hairs. Toronto, CA: Groundwood. (K-3)

Every year on November 2, the Day of the Dead, the villagers of Santiago Sacatepequez in Guatemala fly some of the biggest kites in the world in memory of their deceased loved ones. Brilliantly colored and often spanning 23 feet, the kites fill the sky over the cemetery. This is the story of Juan, who has built a kite every year with his grandfather. Since his grandfather has died, Juan must now carry on the tradition alone. Beautiful photographs show Juan, with his friends’ help, sending his kite soaring into the sky. (amazon.com)

Ancona, G. (1998). Barrio: Jose’s neighborhood. New York: Harcourt Brace. (4-6)

Presents life in a barrio in San Francisco, describing the school, recreation, holidays, and family life of an eight-year-old boy who lives there. (amazon.com)

Ancona, G. (1995). Fiesta U.S.A. New York: Lodestar Books. (3-6)

In a tribute to the customs and traditions of Latinos in the United States, engaging photographs capture four fiestas: the Day of the Dead, las Posadas, the dance of the Matachines, and Three Kings' Day. (amazon.com)

Ancona, G. (1994). El pinatero: The piñata maker. New York: Harcourt Brace. (2-4)

Describes how Don Ricardo, a craftsman from Ejutla de Crespo in southern Mexico, makes pinatas for all the village birthday parties and other fiestas. (card catalog)

Bandon, A. (1993). Mexican Americans (Footsteps to America). Parsippany, NJ: Silver Burdett. (4-6)

A discussion of the economic differences between Mexico and the United States and how they have led to an increase in Mexican immigration spotlights the problems faced by those who cross the border in search of a better life. (amazon.com)

Brown, T. (1992). Hello, amigos! Photographed by F. Ortiz. New York: Henry Holt. (K-3)

Follows a day, a birthday, in the life of a Mexican American child, who lives with his family in the Mission District of San Francisco. (card catalog)

Crandell, R. (2002). Hands of the Maya: Villagers at work and play. New York: Holt. (K-3)

Experience a day in the life of a Maya village. The wisdom of the phrase "Many hands make light work” comes across in vivid detail as the community prepares a warm meal, weaves clothing, constructs roofs, and creates art and music. Best of all-in the morning or at the end of the busy day, a pair of strong, gentle hands never seems hard to find.
With its lyrical prose and richly textured photographs, this engaging picture book captures the hard work, love, and respect of the Maya culture. (amazon.com)

Delacre, L. (2000). Salsa stories. New York: Scholastic. (4-6)

Welcome to Carmen Teresa’s festive home, where relatives, friends, and neighbors from all over Latin America gather to celebrate New Year’s Day. Dona Josepha gives Carmen Teresa a blank notebook, and everyone suggests that she fill it with stories that the guests remember from childhood. So begins a unique collection of tales told by a charming cast of characters. In the end, Carmen Teresa decides to create a cookbook filled with recipes for the dishes mentioned in each story. (amazon.com)

Emberley, R. (2000). My day, mi dia. New York: Little, Brown and Company. (K-3)

In simple phrases and bold, colorful images, Rebecca Emberley invites the youngest readers to learn basic words in both Spanish and English. Using brilliantly colored paper cutouts, she has created settings filled with familiar objects, each clearly labeled with both its Spanish and English names. Just right for children who speak either language at home, these bilingual books introduce the very young to the richness of our multicultural society and make learning a new language - be it Spanish or English - fun. (amazon.com)

Emberley, R. (1993). My house, mi casa. New York: Little, Brown and Co. (K-3)

Captioned illustrations and Spanish and English text describe things found in a house. (amazon.com)

Eyla, S. M. (1998). Say hola to Spanish. Illustrated by L. Lopez. New York: Lee and Low Books. (K-4)

An entertaining introduction to the Spanish language features kid-friendly rhyming text and colorful illustrations that make words easier to remember, as well as a variety of activities. (amazon.com)

Foley, E. (1997). Puerto Rico (Festivals of the World). Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens. (K-3)

Describes how the culture of Puerto Rico is reflected in its festivals. (card catalog)

Garland, S. (2000). Voices of the Alamo. Illustrated by R. Himler. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6)

Hear the dramatic story of the Alamo told by the people who shaped the history of the land, from a Spanish padre who helped build the mission in the 1700s to a young boy who visits the modern-day Alamo museum. Meticulously researched and masterfully written, VOICES OF THE ALAMO is a ground-breaking and provocative book. (amazon.com)

Garza, C. L. (1993). Family pictures/cuadros de familia. Translated by R. Zubizarreta. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (all ages)

The author describes, in bilingual text and illustrations, her experiences growing up in a Hispanic community in Texas. (amazon.com)

Garza, C. L. (1996). In my family/en mi familia. Translated by F. X. Alarcon. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (all ages)

Following the best-selling Family Pictures, In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza’s continuing tribute to the family and community that shaped her childhood and her life. Lomas Garza’s vibrant paintings and warm personal stories depict memories of growing up in the traditional Mexican-American community of her hometown of Kingsville, Texas. (amazon.com)

Garza, C. L. (1999). Magic windows/ventanas magicas. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (all ages)

In her third book, the author takes readers on a fascinating journey--in both English and Spanish--that explores her family, community, and ancestors through the traditional folk art of "papel picado” or cut-paper art. (amazon.com)

Guy, G. F. (2003). Fiesta. Illustrated by R. K. Moreno. Rayo. (PreK-1)

Three children begin with una canasta (one basket) and proceed to fill it with scrumptious candies, trinkets, and toys in preparation for a Mexican fiesta. Readers are invited to count along as they gather dos trompetas (two horns), tres animalitos (three little animals), cuartro aviones (four airplanes), cinco trompos (five tops), etc. in joyous anticipation of the party and the cracking open of the pinata. A simple bilingual text provides numbers in English and in Spanish. The soft-edged full-color illustrations done in pencils, pastels, and watercolors have a subtle folkloric quality. The colorful artwork complements the simplicity and childlike appeal of this delightful picture book. (School Library Journal)

Guy, G. F. (2005). Siesta. Illustrated by R. K. Moreno. Greenwillow. (PreK-1)

A sister and brother and a stuffed bear embark on an adventure. An empty blue backpack is packed with an interesting array of items: a red jacket, green flute, yellow book, black flashlight, white clock, and multicolored blanket. Then it’s off to the backyard where the clothesline and blanket make the perfect tent, the flute provides a bedtime serenade for the jacket-wrapped teddy, and soon, all are sleeping. This charmingly simple story is told in short sentences, Spanish first, followed by the English translation. The words for colors are written in their appropriate hues and reinforced by the gorgeous pastel, watercolor, and pencil illustrations. Soft edges, pure glowing colors, and rounded forms create a sense of warmth and reassurance. Like Fiesta (HarperCollins, 1996), this book has appeal far beyond its obvious teaching function. (School Library Journal)

Herrera, J. F. (2000). The upside down boy: El nino de cabeza. Illustrated by E. Gomez. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press. (K-3)

The Upside Down Boy is Juan Felipe Herrera’s memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time. Jaunito is bewildered by the new school and misses the warmth of country life. Everything he does feels upside down. He eats lunch when it’s recess, he goes out to play when it’s time for lunch, and his tongue feels like a rock when he speaks English. But his sensitive teacher and loving family help him find his voice through poetry, art, and music. (amazon.com)

Hoobler, D. & Hoobler, T. (1998). The Mexican American family album. New York: Oxford University Press Children’s Books. (4-6)

History comes alive through the eyes of Mexican Americans as we share their true life experiences. Cesar Chavez, Sandra Cisneros, Lee Trevino, and Linda Ronstadt are just a few examples of celebrated Mexican Americans. Their stories, and the stories of thousands of others like them, combined with more than 150 photos, provide a rare glimpse into the immigrant experience. (amazon.com)

Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. (1995). Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American celebration. Photographs by L. Migdale. New York: Holiday House. (4-6)

Ten-year-old twins from Sacramento, California, tell the story of their family’s Day of the Dead celebration. In contrast to books that portray the holiday in rural Mexico, this explains the holiday’s history while focusing on celebrations of an American family living in a Mexican American community. The twins and their mother are photographed in ordinary clothes, with the state capitol in the background, as well as in costume and in a procession. Aztec beliefs and their intermingling with Catholic rituals are explained, and descriptions of dancing, art, and prayer repeatedly illustrate the unity of past and present during festival days. A glossary of terms with clear phonetic pronunciations follows. (Booklist)

Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. (2000). Las Posadas: An Hispanic Christmas celebration. Photographs by L. Migdale. New York: Holiday House. (4-6)

Las Posadas is a nine-night celebration that tells the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. It began more than 400 years ago in Spain, and today Las Posadas is celebrated in Mexico, some Latin American countries, and in U.S. communities with a strong Spanish cultural influence. Hoyt-Goldsmith follows 11-year-old Kristen and her family as they prepare for and participate in the festival. Numerous clear, colorful photos bring the text to life. Kristen is shown preparing special foods with her mother and grandmother, the neighbors carve figures of saints, and Kristen plays the role of Mary on the second night of the festival. A recipe for Las Posadas cookies, biscochitos, is provided, along with The Song of Las Posadas in both Spanish and English. Musical notation is included. Photos by Lawrence Migdale convey the excitement of the celebration. Once again Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale offer young readers a comprehensive, inviting look at a unique cultural experience. (Booklist)