Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to books that celebrate Hispanic culture, history, and storytelling. Reading diverse children’s books not only helps young readers connect with their own heritage, but also teaches all kids about identity, resilience, and creativity.
If you’re looking for the best children’s books for Hispanic Heritage Month, this list features five must-read titles that bring culture and imagination to life. From the heartfelt family story Abuelo, the Sea, and Me by Ismée Williams to the inspiring tale of civic leadership in Andrea Beaty’s Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, these books are perfect for classrooms, libraries, and family reading time.
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1. Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, by Ismée Williams
A tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores intergenerational connections, family history, and the immigrant experience. When this grandchild visits her abuelo, he takes her to the ocean. No matter the season, hot or cold, their favorite place to spend time together is the beach. It’s here that Abuelo is able to open up about his youth in Havana, Cuba. As they walk along the sand, he recalls the tastes, sounds, and smells of his childhood. And with his words, Cuba comes alive for his grandchild. Best for ages 4-8 years.
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2. Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, by Andrea Beaty
Sofia is a young child who loves her Abuelo and sets out to make her community a better place for him, and for all her neighbors. Her vision and plans lead her to her local city government and through her interaction with her mayor and other community leaders, it becomes obvious to all that Sofia can, indeed, be the future prez. Great for ages 7+.
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3. All Equal: A Ballad of Lemon Grove, by Christy Hale
Segregation in America was not just about the separation of Black and White communities. Segregation also impacted Hispanic and Latinx families. All Equal tells the story of the first desegregated school in our country and all the work and effort it took for a community to make this happen. This bilingual book beautifully recounts this historic civil rights story. Great for ages 9+.
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4. Just Shine! How to Be a Better You, by Sonia Sotomayor
There once was a little girl who grew up in Puerto Rico with an incredible ability — she was able to make everyone around her shine. She listened, she understood, she worked hard, and she brought out the beauty in each person she met. In a story inspired by her mother’s ability to help people see their own brilliance, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shows readers how helping others shine makes the whole world brighter. Best for ages 4-8 years.
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5. Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you are a Jane Eyre fan or a fan of period novels, then you will enjoy Mexican Gothic. This story is narrated by the rich, educated, and flirty Noemi Taboada and takes place in Mexico during the 1950s. An equal part protagonist is High Place, the haunting old mansion she finds herself in as she seeks to rescue her cousin. This book has all the ingredients of a horror-suspense novel: Haunted house, ghosts, cemeteries, vivid nightmares, mutterings and voices, and murderous family histories. Stories like these, though not new, are not often told through the voice of a Hispanic and bilingual protagonist like Noemi. Great for young adults and adult readers.
