The best books that are perfect for your kids during Hispanic Heritage Month

Why am I passionate about this?

As a part of Teatro SEA,  promoting and strengthening the cultural identity of young latiné audiences is the main focus of our mission and everyone who works there. We have been around since 1985 as SEA (Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.) and are the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children’s Theatre in the United States. We create and produce a combination of educational theater, in-school multidisciplinary arts instruction programs, art & cultural festivals/ events, online educational programming, and Theater Books, all intended to raise self-esteem, strengthen cultural identity, and provide educational advancement for our community of latiné children and youth. 


I wrote...

The Colors of Frida

By Manuel Antonio Morán,

Book cover of The Colors of Frida

What is my book about?

Hear from the painter herself all about how art saved her life. Perhaps her story will inspire you  the next time you giggle in orange, or find yourself dreaming in pink, to paint and let your  imagination soar!  

Escucha de los labios de la propia pintora cómo el arte le salvó la vida. Tal vez su historia te  inspire la próxima vez que te de un ataque de risas anaranjadas o te encuentres soñando en  rosado. ¡Pinta y deja volar tu imaginación!  

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Abuela

Manuel Antonio Morán Why did I love this book?

This book instantly warms my heart every time I see it on a shelf. I am instantly transported to being with my abuela as a kid, finding so much enjoyment in doing even the most mundane errands with her. 

Not only does the story have a permanent place in my heart, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. The Statue of  Liberty, New York City Parks, and the New York City Skyline all make an appearance. This is definitely a love letter to multigenerational New York families and how important that bond between an abuela and a grandchild is. 

By Arthur Dorros, Elisa Kleven (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Abuela as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A young girl and her grandmother celebrate their home and relationship in this magical story. Winner of the Parents' Choice Award!

Come join Rosalba and her grandmother, her abuela, on a magical journey as they fly over the streets, sights, and people of New York City which sparkles below. The story is narrated in English, and sprinkled with Spanish phrases as Abuela points out places that they explore together. The exhilaration in Rosalba’s and Abuela's story is magnified by the loving bond that only a grandmother and granddaughter can share.

Also available in a Spanish-language edition (ISBN: 978-0-14-056226-2)

"A book…


Book cover of Islandborn

Manuel Antonio Morán Why did I love this book?

When you love your homeland but must leave it, it’s a complex thing that can be difficult to explain to children. This book is incredibly helpful when it comes to explaining the more nuanced parts of immigration. Most importantly, it teaches kids to come together as part of a community to stand up against oppression, and that bravery can come in all shapes and forms.

The part that always makes me tear up is the line, “Even if I never stepped foot on the Island, it doesn’t matter. The Island is me.” I always start thinking about how we embody all the strength, bravery, and beauty of our ancestors and our homeland.  

By Junot Diaz, Leo Espinosa (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Islandborn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

From New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz comes a debut picture book about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination.

A 2019 Pura Belpre Honor Book for Illustration

Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else.
Hers was a school of faraway places.

So when Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island-she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories-joyous,…


Book cover of Fearless Trailblazers: 11 Latinos Who Made U.S. History

Manuel Antonio Morán Why did I love this book?

It can be hard growing up to see yourself in politicians, celebrities, and role models in books and media when you’re latiné. This book lays out role model after role model, all Latino and all inspirational.

I wish this book was around when I was growing up. To have a resource of inspirational Latinos at my fingertips would have really helped me to see that I come from a community of trailblazers. This is a book that works to create the next generation of Latino leaders.  

By Naibe Reynoso, Jone Leal (illustrator), Victoria Infante (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Fearless Trailblazers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

Fearless Trailblazers,11 Latinos who made U.S. History,Pioneros Audaces, 11 Latinos que hicieron historia en Los Estados Unidos, is a bilingual book that highlights 11 Latinos who excelled in their professional careers and made U.S. history by accomplishing something that hadn't been done before in their respective fields which include science, sports, the arts and politics. By presenting the true biographical stories of these outstanding Latinos in rhyming verses, young readers will easily follow their journey to success. Each persons biographical story is written in both Spanish and English to encourage and promote bilingual literacy. Some of the men highlighted include…


Book cover of Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla

Manuel Antonio Morán Why did I love this book?

I know I’m not the only one who fell in love with Selena the first time I heard her music.

The story of a young girl chasing her dreams despite the obstacles is universal and warms my heart. That’s what this book is: heartwarming. It’s often hard to talk about the end of Selena’s life, especially with children, but López focuses on the joy and accomplishments in Selena’s life, with just a brief mention of her untimely death.

López is inspiring musicians, fashion designers, performers, and so many more by showing them that it doesn’t matter where you come from-just as long as you put in the work.

By Diana López,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Sing with Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

From a very early age, young Selena knew how to connect with people and bring them together with music. Sing with Me follows Selena's rise to stardom, from front-lining her family's band at rodeos and quinceaneras to performing in front of tens of thousands at the Houston Astrodome. Young readers will be empowered by Selena's dedication - learning Spanish as a teenager, designing her own clothes, and traveling around the country with her family - sharing her pride in her Mexican-American roots and her love of music and fashion with the world.


Book cover of Lucia the Luchadora

Manuel Antonio Morán Why did I love this book?

One thing I will never get tired of are books about girl power!

What I love so much about this book is its focus on a young girl chasing her dreams of being a Luchadora, which traditionally has been a male-dominated sport. I have a soft spot in my heart for books that encourage young women to go after their dreams despite whatever preconceived gender notions they may have. End then you set it in the world of Lucha Libre–forget about it!  

By Cynthia Leonor Garza, Alyssa Bermudez (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lucia the Luchadora as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Lucía the Luchadora named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Chicago Public Library and more! Lucía zips through the playground in her cape just like the boys, but when they tell her "girls can't be superheroes," suddenly she doesn't feel so mighty. That's when her beloved abuela reveals a dazzling secret: Lucía comes from a family of luchadoras, the bold and valiant women of the Mexican lucha libre tradition. Cloaked in a flashy new disguise, Lucía returns as a recess sensation! But when she's confronted with a case of injustice, Lucía must decide if she…


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Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

By Kerry Aradhya, Kara Kramer (illustrator),

Book cover of Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

Kerry Aradhya Author Of Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Not long ago, while rummaging through old storage containers in our garage, I came across a board game I had invented during elementary school. But I hadn’t made it for a school project or because anyone had asked me to make it. I had made it simply because I was passionate about creating…and I still am. As a children’s author, science editor, and dancer, I am fascinated by the creative process. I chose these books because they depict many of the ups, downs, and often unexpected outcomes of the creative process, all within the context of inventions for kids!

Kerry's book list on nonfiction picture books with inventions kids love

What is my book about?

This picture book biography of Ernő Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of this fascinating and sometimes frustrating puzzle.

A solitary child, Ernő Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary, curious about puzzles, art, nature, and their underlying patterns and structures.

As a young professor of architecture, and in a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional movement, he fashioned a cube made up of smaller cubes that twisted and turned without breaking, unexpectedly inventing the most popular puzzle in history!

Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

By Kerry Aradhya, Kara Kramer (illustrator),

What is this book about?

This first picture book biography of Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of a bestselling puzzle that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

In 2023, the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube was broken by Max Park, who finished in 3.13 seconds!

And then there’s you. Did you ever get so frustrated with a Rubik’s Cube that you wanted to pull it apart and put it back together in order? Were you to do so, you’d see how cleverly one of the world’s most popular toys is…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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