10 Books To Teach Your Kids About Your Culture

Studies show that Latino children who grow up knowledgeable about and proud of their culture are more likely to do better in school, have a strong self-esteem, and are overall happier. They’re less likely to drop out of school, suffer alcohol and drug abuse, suffer emotional and mental disorders, or go to jail. But raising bilingual, bicultural kids starts when they are born. We’ve put together this great collection of Latino children’s literature titles that reflect the warmth and beauty of the Latino culture.

A beautiful collection of nursery rhymes found throughout Latin America and the American Southwest, this book is a must-have for every Latino home library. From “Arroz con leche” to “De colores,” you’ll find familiar rhymes that help teach your child about culture and language. The best part of this book may be that the translations are not literal, but rather adaptations that strive to capture the rhythm and meaning of the original Spanish rhymes. Viví Escrivá’s soft watercolor illustrations are soothing and perfect for a bedtime read. This book is great for bilingual families as it comes with full text in both English and Spanish.

To buy: ¡Pío Peep!, $12

The classic Cuban folktale of a demanding rooster on his way to his uncle's wedding, “The Bossy Gallito” is a Pura Belpré Award Honor Book. Delacre’s illustrations are rich with detail, bringing to life the arrogant rooster. And as the Bossy Gallito walks down the street, you may recognize details in the background similar to la Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana.

Though the tale of “El gallo de bodas” finds its roots in Spain, this book proudly shares the Cuban version. Parents can once again choose from which language to read the book, as it comes with full text in English and Spanish.

To buy: The Bossy Gallito, $5

Get ready for a toe-tapping reading adventure as you follow a little monkey who once a year sings the zookeepers to sleep, then proceeds to wake up all the animals in the zoo with his little marimba for an energetic fiesta. Before you know it, the iguanas are doing the cha-cha and the manatees are dancing the mambo while quetzales sell lemonade and ocelotes make piñatas. The lively pace of this book does not lend itself to a nice soothing bedtime read, however, so be prepared to get up and move!

The neat part of this book is how it introduces children to 26 cognates to help both Spanish and English-speaking children find similarities in both languages. Parents will also enjoy seeing typical Latin dances and foods mentioned throughout the book.

To buy: ¡Marimba!, $3

A hilarious adaptation of the Goldilocks folktale, “Abuelo and the Three Bears” will have both you and your child giggling with its funny storyline that puts a Latin twist on the traditional tale. To pass the time while they wait for primos to arrive, Abuelo tells young Emilio a story. But in his version, a young girl named Trencitas (who has black braids) is off to visit her friend, Osito. But his family has left on a walk to give their frijoles time to cool down.

This book is so much fun to read. The publisher has cleverly made one side of the book in English, and when you flip it over, the other side is in Spanish.

To buy: Abuelo y Los Tres Osos, $3

No matter what your Latin heritage is, your child will surely be inspired by little Gustavo who dreams of being a great mariachi and playing the guitarrón. But because he cannot play the trompeta, the violín, or the guitarrón, his family won’t let him be a part of their mariachi band. Devastated that he does not get to perform with them in restaurants or at wedding parties, Gustavo feels like he is the worst mariachi in the world. Until one day he discovers his true talent!

The illustrations in this book are absolutely adorable and will capture your child’s attention. It’s written in English with Spanish text embedded throughout, and is a great read for bilingual families.

To buy: The Best Mariachi in The World, $7

Inspired by her own family’s holiday empanada-making tradition, Gonzalez Bertrand’s humorous bilingual tale of making pumpkin empanadas is a real treat for the reader. Within the pages of this book, you and your child will see all the love, joy and humor that comes with being together with family. DeLange’s illustrations are lively; the action flows from page to page. And you can continue the experience even after you finish reading by making empanadas with your child using the recipe included at the end of the book.

To buy: The Empanadas That Abuela Made, $13

Your nene will be ecstatic when you read this colorful book about one of their favorite foods: Paletas! “What Can You Do with a Paleta?” is a story about all the different ways one little girl finds for using a paleta. From creating a colorful masterpiece to making new friends, your own child will be inspired to get creative the next time she gets to enjoy a popsicle! With warm, vibrant illustrations in every paleta color imaginable, this book is a feast for the eyes, too. And don’t be surprised if your mouth is watering and your pancita is asking for a tasty treat by the end!

To buy: What Can You Do With a Paleta?, $12

Your children will enjoy this heartwarming story about the complexity of sibling relationships and the importance of unconditional love. Young Gabriela and Diego are forced to share their new puppy, Sofie, even though each one wants to claim the pup as his or her own. But after Sofie becomes ill from eating too many tortillas, Gabriela and Diego quickly realize that their dog belongs to the whole family.

García’s unique artwork is instantly recognizable from his signature use of clay to create the illustrations that seem ready to jump off the page. This book is perfect for teaching children the importance of family and the responsibilities that go with caring for a pet.

To buy: The Dog Who Loved Tortillas, $8

For those who stayed up late whispering secretos to your beloved primos, this book is a must-have. It celebrates the special and dynamic friendship that exists among cousins. From squirming to find a spot on abuelo’s lap to taking part in their own make-believe parade, everything is that much better when you have your primo at your side.

This book is perfect for younger children with its simple text in both English and Spanish. And it is certainly a great read for story time when the whole family is together—including los primos.

To buy: We Are Cousins, $15

Another fun book, ¡Fiesta! will quickly have your child counting in English and Spanish. Your toddler will delight in following the group of children in the book around town as they collect festive items—such as three little animals, and cinco trompos—to fill their piñata. And in the end… BOOM! There’s an explosion of treats for everyone. This book comes with simple text in both English and Spanish, just right for children ages 4 and under.

To buy: ¡Fiesta!, $7