Little ones love celebrations, and it's never too early to learn about their culture, or a culture that is new to them.
At Literacy Inc., we honor rich, diverse cultures every day, and we are delighted that Hispanic Heritage Month has begun. This month runs from September 15 to October 15 and is a good reminder to read stories featuring Hispanic and Latin American characters!
Here are 5 books you can find at your from your local library and share with the little ones in your life:
What Can you do with a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla
With cheerful, bright illustrations and a story full of vivid imagination, this book about a young girl and her family shows all ways they use a rebozo, a traditional Mexican shawl. The girl details how her mom spreads her rebozo like a butterfly to dress up on Sunday morning and how she wraps it into a cozy cradle for her baby brother so her hands are free to weave a braid.
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
When Mia’s Abuela moves to the city to live with Mia and her family, Mia discovers that Abuela can’t understand or read English, so she decides to help Abuela learn. Along the way, Mia learns too, about her family and heritage, in addition to more Spanish. She even adopts a parrot to assist. Read and see all the ways that these characters communicate and grow together.
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
This story about a girl named Daisy and her Papi is full of beautiful illustrations and vibrant descriptions of a city that is well loved and full of history for their family. As Daisy and her Papi zoom around their city of Corona, California, we’re introduced to all the places they love: Her Abuelita’s home, tortillerías, markets, and the construction site where Papi works. Ride along with them and this heartwarming hometown tribute is sure to make you smile.
The Day of the Dead by Bob Barner and Teresa Mlawer
This fun, upbeat bilingual picture book (with text on each page in both Spanish and English) is full of rhymes and simple descriptions of activities that take place on Dia de los Muertos. There’s also an extra description of The Day of the Dead in the back of the book for further learning about the holiday for kids. The playful illustrations (think dancing skeletons) and bright, vivid colors make this book a joy to look at as well as read aloud.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Meet Alma. Also known as Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela—a name that she thinks is too long. That is, until her Dad explains where each name came from (like Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers and José, the grandfather who was an artist). As her dad weaves a heartwarming tale of their family’s history, Alma gains a new appreciation for her long, beautiful name.
Happy Reading and Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Mark your calendars: LINC, Fidelis Care, and Assemblyman Manny de los Santos are planning a special event on October 14, 2022.
To register for LINC’s latest programs, visit: www.lincnyc.org/programs.
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