Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th. This is a wonderful time to choose books to celebrate the many different Hispanic cultures with your family.
If you have young children learning to read (ages 4-6), try the I Can Read series of Reina Ramos by Emma Otheguy. Some titles include Reina Ramos Meets a Big Puppy, Reina Ramos Works it Out, and Reina Ramos-Tour Guide. The title character, Reina Ramos, is a loyal friend whose high-spirited antics sometimes cause chaos, but who always finds a way to make things right. This is perfect for social-emotional learning! Stories include Spanish words and a glossary.
For school-aged children (ages 4-9), read May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, Plátanos Are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Mariana and her Familia by Mónica Mancillas, Mi Casa is My Home by Laurenne Sala, and Tortillas and Lullabies / Tortillas y cancioncitas by Lynn Reiser for a look at how families connect around food, traditions and love.
For your tweens (ages 10-12), try these suggestions: Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan, where readers meet a new Mexican heroine to love in Solimar and a fresh, magical story! Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros is a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega is a middle-grades level graphic novel about Marlene, a young girl who stops straightening her hair and embraces her natural curls. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuerais is a science fiction story about a brilliant journey through the stars to the very heart of what makes us human. Petra Peña wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller like her abuelita. However, Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children, among them Petra and her family, have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Petra, alone, now carries the stories of our past, and with them any hope for our future. Can she make them live again? Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics, by Margarita Engle, musician, botanist, baseball player, pilot—the Latinos featured in this collection come from many different countries and from many different backgrounds. Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and a community that continues to evolve and thrive today!
Young adults can read Elizabeth Acevedo’s books: With the Fire on High, Inheritance, The Poet X, and Family Lore. Another choice is Elizabet Velasquez’s When We Make It-A Nuyorican Novel. Young Adult titles may contain mature content. Please review each title carefully before selecting it. We suggest parents read along (together or separately) with their teens and have open and honest communication about the topics discussed in the stories. This will allow you to share your family values and learn what your child’s thoughts are regarding the topics. Remember to listen actively and ask open-ended questions so your child feels valued and not threatened.
Reading is a wonderful way to start important conversations with your children, no matter what their age. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to explore Latine or LatinX authors telling their stories about their cultures and families. Enjoy!
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.