Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

These are a few of our favorite books by Hispanic/Latine authors from the past 12 months, but there are many more in the library catalog! You can also search by the name of the country or nationality. A few of the most common regions represented in children's literature are Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, Chile, and Peru.

Other Oregon City Library book lists include last year's Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 list and our Finding Diverse Books presentations from 2019-2024.

Bilingual and Spanish-language readers can also browse the online catalog for children's books in Spanish. Use the "Subjects" list on the left side of the page to narrow down your preferred format (picture book, graphic novel, etc.) or topic (humor, animals, etc.)

Updated August 10, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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When moon blooms
Salazar, Aida
Paper Book
Derived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this series of poetic board books center around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with and respect for nature. Using Mexican concepts, this poignantly lyrical series invites young children to pay witness to nature, to value it...

Board Book (Age 0-2)

La noche before Three Kings Day
Colón-Bagley, Sheila
Paper Book
Inspired by Clement Clarke Moore's "The Night Before Christmas," La Noche Before Three Kings Day is a perfect holiday tale.   It's almost Three Kings Day, and while the grownups prepare a large meal, the kids prepare their shoe boxes for los Reyes to arrive later that night. Will...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

The perfect place
de la Peña, Matt
Paper Book
From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Last Stop on Market Street comes this moving picture book about the perils of perfectionism. Lucas goes to the perfect school in the perfect neighborhood. And when he gets perfect grades, he feels like he fits right in. ...
Desert song
Kemp, Laekan Zea
Paper Book
A family joins the music of the Texas desert night in this tale of tradition and memory from Pura Belpre Honor author Laekan Zea Kemp. It starts with a soft tapping, Uncle Eduardo drumming his hands against his dusty jeans. As the...
Plátanos go with everything
Norman, Lissette
Paper Book
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Plátanos are Yesenia's favorite food. They can be sweet...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Miguel must fight!
Ofelia, Jamie
Paper Book
★ "A thrilling mini-adventure" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review  ★ "A positive message of creativity over warfare" --Shelf Awareness, starred review In this charming Spanish language story, a young...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Martina has too many tías
Otheguy, Emma
Paper Book
Una niña callada que se abruma fácilmente por su escandalosa familia encuentra una tierra mágica y silenciosa en la que descubre lo que hace que un hogar sea un hogar en esta nueva versión del muy querido, alegre y mágico cuento folclórico caribeño "La cucarachita Martina." Las...
A maleta full of treasures
Sylvester, Natalia
Paper Book
From an award-winning author and illustrator, a warm, gentle ode to cherished visits from grandparents and the people and places that make us who we are even if we haven't met them yet. It's been three years since Abuela's last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail-from...
¡Fiesta! : a festival of colors
Tonatiuh, Duncan
Paper Book
From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes this celebratory bilingual concept picture book. This book of colors features a street fiesta with green avocados, yellow tortillas, purple dance dresses, and brown charro pants. The book includes a double gatefold finale reveal...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

An Ofrenda for Perro
Valdes B., Judith/ Aguilera, Carlos Velez (ILT)
Paper Book
Losing a pet is hard, but this picture book told through a Day of the Dead celebration will show readers that the love they have for their beloved companion will always remain. Benito loves Perro. But when Perro passes away, Benito is heartbroken. During the Day of the Dead...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Reina Ramos Tour Guide
Otheguy, Emma/ Landazabal, Andres (ILT)
Paper Book
Reina Ramos is a tour guide in this Level Two I Can Read story. Perfect for social emotional learning. Features Spanish vocabulary! Reina Ramos is the creation of Emma Otheguy, a children's author who writes about Latin identity. The Reina I Can Read stories have engaging...
Daughter of the light-footed people : the story of indigenous marathon champion Lorena Ramírez
Cabot, Belen Medina
Paper Book
Meet Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico who is internationally known for winning ultramarathons in her traditional skirts and rubber sandals, in this nonfiction picture book. From the copper canyons of Mexico, her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip...

Nonfiction (Age 4-8)

Free to learn : how Alfredo Lopez fought for the right to go to school
Levinson, Cynthia
Paper Book
From the author of the award-winning The Youngest Marcher comes a picture book about the true story of Alfredo Lopez, an undocumented boy involved in a landmark Supreme Court case that still ensures children's right to education today. Alfredo Lopez has so many questions...

Nonfiction (Age 4-8)

Christopher Columbus and the Taino people
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about Christopher Columbus, and learn all about the Taino people. Perfect for fans of the I Survived books and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America....

Nonfiction (Age 9-12)

Turtles of the midnight moon
Fitzgerald, María José
Paper Book
When poachers threaten the island they love, two girls team up to save the turtles-and each other. An eco-mystery with an unforgettable friendship story at its heart from a fresh new voice in middle grade. Twelve-year-old Barana lives in a coastal village in...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Across so many seas
Behar, Ruth
Paper Book
"As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee Spanning over 500...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Spanish language version available

Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice
Lapera, Anna
Ebook
Most Anticipated Middle Grade Reads of 2024, Teen Librarian Toolbox, School Library Journal "Anna Lapera expertly voices a young girl's middle school trials, but with a voice so unique and heartfelt you will be cringing one moment and cheering the next. She weaves a...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Salsa magic
Marrero, Letisha
Paper Book
BEST OF THE YEAR: Chicago Public Library - Kirkus A magical debut middle-grade novel filled with loud but loving family members, santería, and powerful orishas, set in New York City. Thirteen-year-old Maya Beatriz...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Aniana del Mar jumps in
Méndez, Jasminne
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis by an award-winning poet. Aniana del Mar belongs in the water like...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Spanish language version available

Vega's piece of the sky
Torres, Jennifer
Paper Book
A meteorite comes crashing down on the lives of three middle schoolers changing everything they know about family, friendships, and community in this charming and heartfelt novel with a light STEM touch. The space rock is just the latest thing to land, uninvited, in...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Curveball
Cartaya, Pablo
Paper Book
Roller Girl meets Cardboard Kingdom in this original, contemporary graphic novel from award-winning author Pablo Cartaya and New York Times best-selling illustrator Miguel Díaz Rivas. Baseball is Elena Rueda's entire life: She may be the only girl on her team...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)


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