Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
September 15th kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the histories, traditions, and diversity of Hispanic and Latino Americans, and is celebrated to highlight the independence of several countries. September 15 is the day that five Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept.18, and Belize on Sept. 21.
To celebrate, the CBC invites you to explore the newest additions to our Hispanic Heritage Month booklist—featuring stories by, for, and about these vibrant voices.
Antonio’s New Tacos / Los nuevos tacos de Antonio, by Veronica Benavides and Andrés Acosta; illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda (Free Spirit Publishing) — Bilingual, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Food / Cooking, ages 5–9.
A cute story about family, friends, and Latine cultural identity—told in Spanish and English!
Antonio loves cooking family recipes with Abuela Mari. Each recipe comes with a memory from home. But some recipes and memories are too special to replicate. When Abuela Mari says tacos de nopal will never taste quite as good as they do back home in Mexico, Antonio isn’t convinced. He feels at home in the United States and in Mexico. If he can exist in both places, why can’t tacos de nopal? With his amigues at his side, he sets out to find the main ingredients for the old family recipe. Tracking down the ingredients at the local market isn’t easy, but the amigues get creative, devising a new recipe with what they can find. The tacos might not be exactly as Abuela remembers, but she tells him, “They taste like home because you made them.”
Antonio’s New Tacos / Los nuevos tacos de Antonio:
- Is told in both Spanish and English using gender-inclusive language
- Depicts a realistic, deeply supportive friend group that offers children a powerful sense of belonging
- Features strong multi-generational relationships and authentic representation of characters from four Latin American backgrounds
This warm, bilingual picture book celebrates culture, family, and the joy of creating new memories while honoring where we come from.
Cat and Lola: School Picture Day, by Melissa Villaseñor; illustrated by Jimena Sánchez Sarquiz (Gloo Books) — Animals, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Daily Life, Friendships, ages 5–7.
Created by comedian and Saturday Night Live alum Melissa Villaseñor comes a laugh-out-loud book about friendship and being yourself.
Meet Cat and Lola, the most mismatched best friends you’ll ever meet. Lola is loud, messy and happily herself—free spirited and full of energy. Cat, a former social media petfluencer, is polished, stylish and into all things cool and fashionable. When school picture day arrives, Cat, who knows a thing or two about looking good for the camera, helps Lola find the perfect outfit. Together, they try all sorts of outfit ideas, with Cat eager to help and Lola ready to experiment—though none of them fit right. As their plans spiral into hilarious chaos, they discover that being yourself is always the best look of all.
Illustrated by Mexican artist Jimena Sánchez Sarquiz, Cat and Lola: School Picture Day blends offbeat humor with genuine heart. This standout early reader graphic novel is perfect for kids who love funny stories and characters who don’t always agree, but always care.
Curious Mind and Dancing Feet: A book about ADHD, by Melinda González; illustrated by Amélie Videlo (Free Spirit Publishing) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Disabilities / Illness, Neurodiversity, Series, ages 5–7.
A young girl with ADHD celebrates what makes her who she is
In Curious Mind and Dancing Feet, a young girl explains what it’s like to live with ADHD. Sometimes her mind wants to wander, and she often gets the wiggles. But when it comes to bugs, she’s laser focused. People don’t understand why she fills her pockets with bug-friendly snacks, and they don’t have to. The important thing is, her Mami, Abuelita, and friends understand, and they help her embrace her ADHD when she starts to feel jumbled up. With ADHD, life is complicated—and full of joy and wonder.
- Features a Puerto Rican and Muslim girl as the main character
- Offers an honest portrayal of life with ADHD, including challenges and strengths
- Celebrates disability joy and offers an empowering self-representation for disabled kids
- Helps children develop empathy and understanding with first-person storytelling from a child’s perspective
- Centers disabled voices by drawing on the author’s experience with ADHD
The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook, by Andrea Jáuregui De La Torre, Mely Martínez; illustrated by Alejandra Barajas (The Quarto Group / becker&mayer! kids) — Food / Cooking, Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators, How-to / Interactive, ages 7–12.
Follow along with Little Andrea and her family as they explore the historical and cultural origins of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through food and activities.
Join Little Andrea and her family in The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook as they celebrate this Mexican holiday with 13 delicious recipes and 5 creative activities. As they welcome the souls of their deceased loved ones for a short homecoming, Andrea’s family cooks the amazing food of the culture while engaging in fun and educational activities.
Featuring simple instructions, accessible ingredients, and vibrant illustrations, this celebratory and empowering cookbook makes it easy for kids 8-years-old and up to recreate delicious meals and drinks like:
- Jamaica (hibiscus iced tea)
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream
- Jicama (Mexican turnip) Fries
- Esquite (Mexican corn)
- Dulce de Calabaza (caramelized pumpkin)
- Two types of tortillas from scratch
- And so much more!
Each section also includes fun activities and crafts to keep the celebration going, such as designing papel picado, creating calaveritas (sugar skulls), making marigold garlands, having a dance party, and exploring parades and celebrations around the United States. Comprised of 90 percent cooking and 10 percent family and community engagement, The Dia de Los Muertos Story Cookbook offers young readers a way to connect with the enriching culture of Mexico and learn about a difficult topic in a sensitive, meaningful, and engaging way.
Forest en Familia / El Bosque en Familia, by Cynthia Harmony; illustrated by Renata Galindo (Yosemite Conservancy) — Bilingual, Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 5–7.
A Latino family spends a wonderful day outdoors in this warm, dual-language (English and Spanish) picture book about the joys to be found in nature by award-winning author, Cynthia Harmony.
Emilia and her family are gearing up for their first forest en familia day in a big, beautiful park! Emilia thinks her little brother, Nico, will fit right into the wild, but will she? With Abue Tita’s reminder to keep her ears, eyes, and heart open to surprises, Emilia finds that nature is a perfect fit.
Packing treats, driving to the park, meeting a friendly ranger at the gate, hiking a trail, and picnicking under a welcoming tree—Emilia’s day is full and so is her heart.
This picture book is perfect for getting ready for a day outside with young children or reading afterward to relive all those good memories. A page at the back of the book includes a glossary, wild creatures to spot in the pictures, and a note about having a safe, marvelous experience while leaving no trace.
All are welcome to visit, enjoy, and cherish our public lands.
Kai y el paso eléctrico, by Kelly J. Baptist; illustrated by Darnell Johnson (Lee & Low Books) — Spanish, Art / Performing Arts, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 5–9.
Kai’s aunt is getting married, and everyone in the Donovan family is excited about the wedding… except Kai. The highlight of every Donovan occasion is dancing the electric slide—a groovy line dance with footwork that Kai can’t quite figure out. More than anything, he wants to prove that he can boogie with the rest of his family and earn a cool nickname from his granddad. Can Kai break through his nerves and break it down on the dance floor?
Told with humor and heart by author Kelly J. Baptist and lively illustrations from debut picture book artist Darnell Johnson, The Electric Slide and Kai is a funky celebration with all the right moves!
Marty Milagros DOOMS the Earth, written & illustrated by Veronica V. Jones (Andrews McMeel Publishing) — Sci-Fi, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Action / Adventure, Humor, ages 9–12.
Marty Milagros is a klutz, a clown, a payaso—and now he’s got an AI living in his brain! This epic, full-color sci-fi graphic novel is an #OwnVoices Latinx adventure for fans of Hilo and The Last Kids on Earth.
Twelve-year-old Marty Milagros is used to getting in trouble. Little does he know, his upstairs neighbor, Mr. Albert, is secretly a galactic scientist defending the planet from alien invaders—with an AI built to keep Earth safe. Then Marty accidentally downloads it into his own brain.
Now, with the help of his friends Alex and Mia, Marty has to stop the aliens. Can Earth’s WORST defender overcome his self-doubt and save the world before he loses Mr. Albert for good?
- A fresh #OwnVoices Latinx sci-fi graphic novel
- Full-color, fast-paced art for fans of Hilo
- Spanish woven naturally throughout, with a heartfelt immigration theme
- Explores ADHD, identity, and self-confidence without being an ‘issue book’
Suit up with Earth’s most unlikely hero—the planet is counting on him!
A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding, by Evi Triantafyllides; illustrated by Nefeli Malekou (Worldwide Buddies) — Cultural Diversity, Death / Grief / Loss, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Social Emotional Learning, ages 5–7.
Discover the wonders of Mexico’s vibrant culture and the Day of the Dead celebration with a heartwarming and funny picture book filled with adventure!
Sometimes a cheeky sister is enough to create the most marvelous misunderstanding! And that’s exactly what happens when Adri and his family move to Mexico. Tag along and discover how Adri’s biggest fear turns into one of the best days of his life.
There will be laughs, giggles and lots of mischief . . . all topped with some spectacular fireworks!
- Transport children to Mexico: introduce kids to Mexico’s vibrant culture with color-bursting illustrations and an exciting adventure.
- Great conversation starter to understand the concept of loss: a great way for children to understand the concept of loss through a celebration that encourages them to remember loved ones with joy and warm memories.
- Interactive elements: includes a “search and find” quiz at the end of the story, a Spanish glossary, as well as fun facts on Mexico that encourage children to revisit the story in interactive ways.
- Special details: includes a surprise foldout page, as well as a special animal that is hiding in every page – can you spot him?!
- Children with siblings, look no further: The funny dynamic between Adri and his sister, Tani, is one that many siblings will identify with.
- Thoughtfully created for kids ages 5+
Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir, written & illustrated by Pedro Martín (Penguin Young Readers / Dial Books) — Biography / Memoir, Humor, Daily Life, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages Teen (12+).
In this extraordinary graphic memoir companion to Newbery Honor winner Mexikid, hilarious family hijinks, immigration patrols, and musical daydreams shape a year of growth and change for a Mexican American boy and his family.
Pedro Martín is sick of strawberries. Since he was seven, he’s spent every weekend and summer picking berries with his family under the hot sun. Sometimes it’s not so bad—Pedro’s an ace at “strawberry wars” with his siblings, and when a good song comes on the radio, the fields can come alive with music. But mostly, Pedro wishes he could just stay home watching Saturday cartoons, head to the beach like other kids, and not worry about immigration patrols. When his older brother gets a job away from the farm, freedom suddenly seems within arm’s reach: Pedro just has to prove to his dad that he’s ready to follow a different path! Maybe he can be a trombone player, or a cartoonist—if that’s even a real job. But as Pedro learns more about his parents’ and abuelito’s past, and the choices they made in order to open up more choices for him, he starts to understand that freedom isn’t just about leaving the fields—it’s about knowing where you came from and having the courage to draw your own life.
Querido Papá Noel, written & illustrated by Jarvis (NubeOcho) — Spanish, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Imagination / Play, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, ages 3–7.
Mr. Santa? Is it really you?
Did you read my letter?
And have you wiped your shoes?
When a little girl comes face-to-face with Santa in her own house, she can hardly believe it! After inviting him into her world (Do you want to meet my fishes? Do you want to hear me play?) comes that universal wish (Can I ride your sleigh?). With the two of them aloft, questions continue to fly: Can Santa eat clouds? Does he stop at traffic lights? Is his belly button innie or outie? Does he take a teddy to bed?
With signature warmth and a gentle visual humor, Jarvis channels the excitement of every child who has dreamed of meeting the jolly, generous old soul who personifies the most magical night of the year.
Be sure to check out our full Hispanic Heritage Month booklist!
