TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX
TOMATOES IN MY LUNCHBOX, written by Costantia Manoli is a remarkable story of friendship and belonging.
After moving to a new country, a cute girl feels lonely on her first day of school.
The teacher and students mispronounced her name, and her tomato at lunch differs from the other lunches.
She longs for her home country, where the sound of her name is soft and familiar.
With reassurances from her family, she is brave enough to make a friend who shares a common interest and sparks the start of a great friendship.
Moving to another country is never an easy change and, coupled with the start of a brand new school, it may be harder to adjust.
Having a supportive family and the courage to be bold can help make adjusting easier.
The bold and distinctive illustrations by Magdalena Mora are always amazing and capture the essence of the message in this book. It’s definitely a book for your home or school library. Publisher: Roaring Brook Press. AGE: 5-8
JUST HELP
JUST HELP by Justice Sonia Sotomayor encourages us all to build a better world by being great helpers.
The first act of help follows a young Sonia as she organized and sends care packages to American soldiers overseas for her school’s service project.
From park cleanups to recycling plastic bags, every child does their part to help. Whether you donate or volunteer, every bit of help goes a long way toward building a better and more beautiful world.
Beautifully illustrated by Angela Dominguez, this remarkable book is prefect for every home and classroom.
I WISH YOU KNEW
I WISH YOU KNEW by Jackie Azúa Kramer is a heartfelt story of a sad little girl whose father had to return to his native country.
She misses him, but with love and support from her teacher and classmates, she realizes she’s not alone because everyone has an experience to share. An experience that makes them strong and hopeful.
We absolutely love how relatable this book is. School is not only for learning and playing, but a place to explore and appreciate our differences and provide support for anyone in need. Especially when they’re going through a difficult time.
School should allow children to express themselves in a nonjudgmental way and encourage open and honest communication.
The illustrations by Magdalena Mora are absolutely remarkable and full of color.
SOMEWHERE
SOMEWHERE by Robie H. Harris is truly a beautiful book that every parent should own.
A dad allows his daughter to explore the forest alone as he observes her. As she enters the forest through mud and trees, she discovers a world of beauty.
From colorful feathers and exquisite butterflies, she delved into the bliss of her surroundings and thought of sharing that moment with her father.
As she retraces her steps out of the forest to find him, she quickly embraces him and tells him of her adventure.
We love stories that encourage a love of nature and exploration, and the illustrations by Armando Mariño are absolutely stunning.
Our first instinct is to protect our children, but a part of protecting them is allowing them to figure things out themselves and explore their curiosity.
This book encourages self-discovery and allows children to make decisions on their own.
MI CASA IS MY HOME
MI CASA IS MY HOME by Laurenne Sala is absolutely beautiful.
It features a girl named Lucia as she takes readers on a tour of her home.
From the stairs where her Abuela stands and waves to the neighbors to the kitchen where her Mama performs miracles, this warm and inviting book celebrates Hispanic families and their rich culture.
Written in English and Spanish, children learn a new language and experience the daily life of a typical Hispanic household.
Zara Gonzáles Hoang brings this book to life with bold and vibrant illustrations that became an instant story-time favorite. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 3-6
PURA’S CUENTOS
PURA’S CUENTOS by Annette Bay Pimentel celebrates the life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré.
Before Pura immigrated to New York from Puerto Rico, she loved listening to stories told by her Abuela.
Those stories inspired her to create her own stories, she shared with many children at the New York Public Library.
Told in both Spanish and English, her stories celebrated Hispanic culture and inspired many to create change in the way they read stories at the library.
Making her one of the most iconic women in Hispanic History.
This book is absolutely amazing, and the vivid and vibrant illustrations by Magaly Morales capture the true essence of this wonderful story. PUBLISHER: Abrams Books for Young Readers. Age: 3-6
ZONIA'S RAIN FOREST
When the rainforest speaks to you…you answer. In Juana Martinez-Neal’s ZONIA’S RAIN FOREST, a girl named Zonia lives in the Amazon rainforest of Peru with her family.
Every morning she roams through the forest that’s always full of life, saying hello to her animal friends.From sleepy sloths to chatty birds, she greets old and new friends and welcomes the day with a full heart.
That’s until she sees they cut the trees down in the forest. Feeling dismayed, she runs to her mom who urges her to help the forest. Armed with courage and strength, she is determined to answer the call.
The Amazon is home to many families and animals and should be protected at all costs.It’s rich in culture there are over 330 languages spoken. Zonia is Asháninka and Juana pays homage to this beautiful language by telling the story in Asháninka at the back of the book.
The vibrant illustrations capture the entire essence of this remarkable story that inspires the youngest mind to create change. We also love how sustainable this book is because it’s made from banana bark paper. How awesome is that? This book is also written in Spanish.PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 6-10
I LOVE YOU, BABY BURRITO
In I LOVE YOU, BABY BURRITO by Angela Dominguez, a lovely family welcomes their new baby with sweet promises of love and security.
Written in both English and Spanish, this subtle celebration of new love will warm hearts of parents and a definite must-have for gifts and baby showers.
With vivid and vibrant green-ish hues, it’s also a perfect book when introducing siblings to a new additional to the family. AGE 6M-3
MY DAY WITH THE PANYE
In some countries, carrying the Panye on your head is considered a sign of strength and grace. MY DAY WITH THE PANYE by Tami Charles is a beautiful book that celebrates this tradition through the eyes of a Haitian girl.
It’s Fallon’s turn to accompany her Manman to the market, and she’s excited to finally carry the panye.
The panye is a basket that’s usually full of food and is carried by placing it on top of a mouchwa that’s wrapped around your head.
She’s waited a long time to carry it, and after it falls off her head a couple of times, she realizes it takes agility and grace, and it isn’t as easy as it seems.
With a little encouragement from her manman, some uplifting words, and practice, she carries it with pride and grace.
The book is one of the best books of 2021. It encourages children to be strong and resilient, and it’s extremely motivational.
The illustrations by Sara Palacios are absolutely remarkable and vividly represent Haitian culture. A definite must-have. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
LATINITAS
Juliet Menéndez, LATINITAS, celebrates the life of over 40 influential Latinas whose perseverance and dedication changed lives and inspire generations.
From the dancing hands of Composer/Conductor Teresa Carreño to Congress-woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest member of congress in history at age 28, this book features so many Latinx that some of us never knew.
LATINITAS is extremely inspirational and perfect for every home and classroom. It encourages children, especially Latinx, to aspire to greatness.
The bold, vibrant illustrations are a wonderful representation of Latin culture. Absolutely beautiful. AGE 6-12
DANCING HANDS
DANCING HANDS by Margarita Engle features the life of Teresa Carreno and her love for the piano.
Teresa grew up in Venezuela in a house full of music. There were singing and dancing and her tiny, dancing hands played the piano. War brew in the country and Teresa and her family fled to America.
On her arrival in this strange country, young Teresa played her piano and everyone came to her home to see.
During the turmoil of the American Civil War, news traveled of Teresa’s gift, and President Abraham Lincoln invited her to play for his family. He had just lost a son and her fingers danced along her piano, providing solace to a grieving family.
This book, its message, and Teresa’s story came to life because of the bright and vibrant illustrations by Raphael Lopez.
Teresa Carreno is forever remembered for her contribution to music as the Valkyrie of the piano and her legacy still lives on. AGE 4-10
DIGGING FOR WORDS
DIGGING FOR WORDS by Angela Burke Kunkel celebrates the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez by introducing us to another boy named José who lived in the same neighborhood and how their lives intertwined.
They lived in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, and though they lived separate lives, they had one thing in common, they both loved books.
Señor José drove a garbage truck and on his route, he collected and read used books the neighbors discarded.
Through the years he collected lots of books and invited the children in his neighborhood to read. Little José was one of those children and while there he delved into the books and escaped to wonderful places.
Paola Escobar’s vivid and vibrant illustrations eloquently capture the essence of the message in this book.
José Alberto Gutiérrez built a library, and his love for sharing books inspired many around the world. We celebrate him today and his magnificent contribution to the Hispanic culture. AGE 4-10
GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST
In FLAVIA Z. Drago’s, GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST, Gustavo is a shy ghost who loved playing the violin. He longed to be a part of something, he wanted to make friends and be noticed, so he sent a letter to the other monsters inviting them to his violin concert.
Gustavo waited, but no one showed up, yet he still played his violin. His music made him so happy that he glowed. His glow allowed others to notice him, and they loved his music.
We love GUSTAVO THE SHY GHOST because it encourages children to break free and explore their creativity. It inspires them to do what they love and be themselves.
Doing what you love makes you happy and your happiness shines through allowing others to see and be inspired. With vibrant illustrations that perfectly represents traditional values of The Day Of The Dead, this book is perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month.
SELENA: QUEEN OF TEJANO MUSIC
SELENA: QUEEN OF TEJANO MUSIC by Silvia López celebrates the life of renowned Tejano musician Selena Quintanilla.
Selena grew up in Texas to a family of musicians, so there was always singing and dancing in her home. Her father had a Tejano band where Selena sang the lead when she was just 9 years old.
She later formed her band called Selena y Los Dinos and won many awards, including a Grammy, and inspired many around the world.
This book is so beautiful and the vibrant illustrations by Paola Escobar help to capture the essence of Mexican culture throughout the entire book.
Selena Quintanilla excelled in a male-dominated industry and helped to bring change to the platform. Her legacy still lives on. Perfect for little middle-grade musicians and also available in Spanish. Link in bio to get this and more of our favorites. AGE 6-10
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
A magnificent book that can help with children’s understanding of who they are and where they’re from is WHERE ARE YOU FROM by Yamile Saied Mendez.
He takes her on a heartfelt ancestral journey of life back on the island and tells the story of the gaucho, rivers and mountains and reminisces about the warm beaches and even the hurricanes on the island.
EVELYN DEL REY
EVELYN DEL RAY IS MOVING AWAY by Meg Medina, is a story of friendship and love.
Evelyn and Daniela are best friends and do everything together. They live next door to each other and are inseparable until one day Evelyn had to move.
One more time, the girls ran through the empty apartment imagining being bus drivers in an empty box as they say their goodbyes. With matching stickers to seal the promise of forever friendship, Evelyn and Daniela said their goodbyes and remained friends forever.
This book is perfect for children whose best friend moves away and has to learn to adjust to the changes.
By allowing them to stay connected reassuring them that moving forward doesn’t erase the memories they’ve created because the connection will always be there.
The illustrations by Sonia Sánchez are absolutely magnificent. Special thanks to our bookish besties @candlewickpress for sending us this book.
JUST ASK
JUST ASK! by Sonia Sotomayor is by far the most inclusive book ever written. It’s a celebration of each child’s unique difference and how by simply asking questions one can make the world a better place.
In the book, Sonia and her friends are planting a garden and just as in a garden, every flower and fruit are different, so is every child. It’s extremely hard to read this book without crying because it features children from all walks of life.
It celebrates the beauty of being different, and how being different can change how people view the world. This book is extremely important and should be in EVERY SINGLE HOME, whether you have children or not.
PLANTING STORIES
PLANTING STORIES The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anita Aldamuy Denise is the ultimate celebration of such an iconic woman in Hispanic History.
Pura Belpré was a storyteller, puppeteer and the first Puerto Rican Librarian in New York Public Library. During her time as a bilingual assistant she campaigned for bilingual literature and today her legacy still lives on.
This book is absolutely amazing and the vivid and vibrant illustrations by Paola Escobar captures the true essence of this wonderful biography that children will absolutely love.
PLANTING STORIES is for everyone; storytellers, educators and especially librarians. Pura Belpré planted a seed as an immigrant in a new country and it blossomed and still inspires many today. This book is full of hope and life and makes a perfect addition to any home. AGE: 4-8
SALSA LULLABY
What are your bedtime routines for your kids? In SALSA LULLABY by Jen Arena, this mother and father turn on the radio and dance to some salsa before bed.
They dance and sing as the melody follows them through the house. Preparing bottles and preparing the baby to settle down for the night. Even the dog joins in on the fun. I absolutely loved this book.
The illustrations by Erika Meza are bright and vibrant and are absolutely perfect for this book.
DREAMERS
I usually mention illustrations later in my reviews, but the illustrations in this book need to be mentioned first.
EVERY SINGLE PAGE is bursting with vibrant and inviting colors that are noteworthy even before you open the book. Every detail tells a story and that’s what’s amazing about this book.
Among other things, DREAMERS by Yuyi Morales is a story of Love, Hope, Art and Culture.
It celebrates her long journey to this country with her son and her first visit to the library. It was there she learned to read and speak English which later led to her many contributions to this country’s literary culture.
DREAMERS is the ultimate immigrant story and it will forever be one of our faves. It’s timeless and relatable and encourages children to learn the importance of books and how they can and will change the world.
MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE
Are there any biker-dads here? Isabel Quintero’s MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE features a little girl named Daisy anticipating her Papi’s return home.
He works hard all day, yet still has enough time to take her for a spin around the neighborhood on his motorcycle.
As they ride, her Papi smells like work and the dust from his hair and clothes leave a trail behind them. They explore the history of their neighborhood, like the supermarket and businesses old and new, and even get chased by dogs. They rode past murals that tell stories of immigrant workers and road races that happened long ago.
This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, with illustrations by Zeke Peña that are vibrant and breathtaking.
Children will love this book because they get to ride along on the journey that’s full of history, culture, and community. It’s perfect for little mechanics and children who love cars and bikes. Written in both Spanish and English and dedication to her father. AGE 4-8
CARMELA FULL OF WISHES
When Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson collaborate… Magic Happens.
In CARMELA FULL OF WISHES, a little girl named Carmela is celebrating her birthday and finally has her wish to run errands with her big brother.
She finds a dandelion and decides to make another wish. Will she wish for a candy machine, or for her mom to finally be able to sleep in the type of bed she makes at her job?On the way home, her dandelion gets destroyed and she’s afraid she has lost her chance to make an important wish.
This book is so genuine and authentic. It’s for everyone who has ever had a wish. It’s full of not only wishes, but full of hope, love, selflessness, support and absolutely stunning and vibrant illustrations by one of our favorite illustrators Christian Robinson. This book is an absolute must have for everyone.
ISLANDBORN
We love this book called ISLANDBORN by Junot Díaz. Not only because it’s such a beautiful story but the illustrations by Leo Espinosa are the best…ever! It’s full of color and definitely reminds you of the Islands.
In the book, Lola has to draw a picture that reminds her of the island she came from, but unlike the other children, she can’t seem to remember, so she sets out on a mission to find out everything about the island from her family and by asking people in her neighborhood.
You’ll be amazed at all the things Lola learned. From the music to the food to some beautiful moments in history and also some terrifying ones.
The book is completely relatable and absolutely relevant. It’s important to teach children about their ancestors and where they came from. Knowing your culture and heritage is beautiful.
Younger children will love the beautiful, vibrant pictures and older children will love reading it too. A must-have for every home. AGE :5-10
