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Hispanic-Americans
in Children's Literature

Mexico, Latin America, Puerto Rico, and Cuba

A Fiesta of Stories

How to Choose Hispanic Literature for Children

• Select books that portray Hispanic women in contemporary roles.
• Share biographies of Hispanics so that students understand the contributions made in the United States and the world.
• Use picture books and novels as a way to inspire students to learn more about the history and cculture of the Hispanic group depicted in the story.
• Avoid books which stereotype Hispanics and their culture.
• Look for stories that use Spanish words and phrases-they provide realism and show respect for the culture.

  

  Hispanics in Literature: Suggested Reading List

  • Aardema, Verna. Borreguita and the Coyote: A Tale from Ayutia, Mexico. Knopf, 1991.
    
    Borreguita, whose name means little lamb, uses her wit to keep Coyote from eating her.

  • Albert, Burton and Roth, Robert. Journey of the Nightly Jaguar. Atheneum, 1996.
    Primary
    Inspired by Maya legend, the sun becomes a jaguar at night, stalking through the jungle until it appears again as the sun in the eastern sky. As much a poem as a story, illustrations and text flawlessly dovetail as raindrops become jaguar spots become shimmering bubbles become the morning sun.

  • Aldana, Patricia (editor). Jade and Iron: Latin American Tales From Two Cultures. Translated by Hugh Hazelton. Groundwood/Douglas & McIntyre Ltd, 1996.
    Grades 3-5
    With thoughtful presentation, the editor has selected a broad cross-section of stories that represent the indigenous and European cultures of Latin America. The collection was drawn from a rich variety of narrative sources, both oral and written, originally published in various Latin American countries.

  • Alphin, Elaine Marie. A Bear For Miguel. HarperCollins, 1996.
    Primary
    El Salvador
    In this "I Can Read" book, a young girl in El Salvador goes to the market with her father and helps him obtain necessities by trading a precious item of her own, her teddy bear. In addition to teaching empathy and contributing to the family, it also introduces the theme of political conflict to very young readers.

  • Anzaldua, Gloria. Friends From the Other Side/Amigos Del Otro Lado. Children's Book Press, 1993.
    The story of a young, undocumented Mexican worker who struggles against hardship aand misunderstanding to survive.
    
  • Anzaldua, Gloria. Prietita and the Ghost Woman. Children's Book Press, 1996.
    Primary
    
    Prietita, a young Mexican American girl, goes in search of an herb to cure her mother and encounters La Llorona. Rather than the negative image with which the legendary figure has traditionally been associated, here La Llorona is a compassionate figure. The two characters work together, symbolizing the strength of Chicana women (bilingual).

  • Boggs, R.S. and Jagendorf, M.A. The King of the Mountains: A Treasury of Latin American Folk Stories.
    More than fifty tales listed by country of origin.

  • Brock, Virginia. Pinatas.
    

  • Bulmer-Thomas, Barbara. Journey Through Mexico.
    
    Non-fiction
    Grades 3-6

  • Bunting, Eve. Going Home. HarperCollins, 1996.
    Primary
    
    Although a Mexican family comes to the United States to work as farm laborers so that their children will have opportunities, the parents still consider Mexico their home. The uniquely styled illustrations combine brilliant color with Mexican artifacts and magically real movement. The children begin to recognize not only their parents' sacrifice, but the bonds that connect an extended family to each other and to place.

  • Calhoun, Maary. Tonio's Cat.Morrow, 1996.
    Primary
    
    A cat named Toughy begins to fill the emptiness that Tonio feels because he had to leave his dog behind in Mexico. Little by little, "el gato" becomes "my cat" as Tonio and Toughy grow closer and Tonio begins to find a place for himself as well.

  • Cisneros, Sandra. Hairs/Pelitos. Knopf, 1994.
    Primary
    This picture book conveys the diversity within Latino cultures through the simple story of a young girl talking about the different kinds of hair her family members have.

  • Colman, Hila. The Girl from Puerto Rico.
    Puerto Rico
    Presents a warm understanding of a newly arrived Puerto Rican who comes to the United States in happy anticipation and is unprepared for cultural differences.

  • Cooper, Martha and Gordon, Ginger. Anthony Reynoso: Born to Rope. Clarion, 1996.
    Primary
    
    Nine-year-old Anthony is learning to rope and ride Mexican Rodeo style from his father near Phoenix, Arizona. Color photographs highlight his combined Mexican cultural heritage and contemporary U.S. lifestyle. Cooper and Gordon have produced a very admiring and respectful story of this skillful young charro and his family.

  • Cramer, Kathyrn and Terzian, James. Might Hard Road: The Story of Cesar Chavez.
    Fictionalized biography but a good study of Chavez and of the migrant worker's struggle against exploitation.

  • Delacre, Lulu. GOLDEN TALES: MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND FOLKTALES FROM LATIN AMERICA/DE ORO Y ESMERALDAS: MITOS, LEYENDAS Y CUENTOS POPULARES DE LATINO AMERICA. Scholastic, 1996.
    Grades 3-6
    
    These stories from thirteen countries and four indigenous cultures date from pre-Columbian and post-Columbian times. Maps, background notes, and source information demonstrate the effort which went into the collection and will provide further avenues for exploration of Latin American folklore. (Published as English and Spanish dual editions.)

  • Delgado, Maria Isabel. CHAVE'S MEMORIES/LOS RECUERDOS DE CHAVE. Arte Público, 1996.
    Primary
    
    In this bilingual picture book, a woman recalls idyllic childhood visits to her grandparents' ranch in Mexico, where she and her brother played with her cousins, listened to the stories of an old ranch hand, and enjoyed other simple pleasures.

  • de Paola, Tomie. The Lady of Guadalupe. Holiday House, 1980.
    
    This book tells how the Lady of Guadalupe appeared to an Aztec Indian, Juan Diego, in Mexico, in 1531. This appearance led to the building of a church at the foot of a hill called Tepeyac. Her image still remains on the original cloth tilma that belonged to Juan Diego and hangs in the church.

  • Garza, Carmen Lomas. Family Pictures/Cuadros de Familia. Children's Press, 1990.
    K-4
    
    The author recounts some of the memorable events from her life in a traditional Hispanic-American family. This is a beautifully illustrated story which reflects the warmth and closeness of a loving family. Each page contains both English and Spanish text.

  • Garza, Carmen Lomas. In My Family/En Mi Familia. Children's Book Press, 1996.
    K-6
    
    In this bilingual picture book celebrating Mexican American culture, Lomas Garza shares memories of growing up in her hometown of Kingsville, Texas, near the Mexican border. Her paintings of children and adults playing and working together as they prepare food, celebrate life events, and mend ills enable readers to understand constancy and change among family and friends. The author's narratives are told as first person reflections that often add dialogue or other layerings to the story being conveyed in her paintings. Truly for all ages, this companion to Family Pictures will be an important addition to any study of family, community, personal storytelling, or narrative painting.

  • Haskins, Jim. Count Your Way Through Mexico.
    K-6
    
    Uses numerals one through ten to teach about Mexico and its culture.

  • Howlett, Bud. I'm New Here.
    El Salvador
    The story of an immigrant girl from El Salvador and her first few days at school in America. Color photos of a Salvadoran girl make the story very realistic.

  • Jaffe, Nina. THE GOLDEN FLOWER: A TAINO MYTH FROM PUERTO RICO. Simon & Schuster, 1996.
    Primary
    Puerto Rico
    This myth explains the origins of the sea, the forest, and the island now called Puerto Rico. It will especially delight young children who know something about pumpkins, but who may be surprised to discover that the pumpkin becomes the source of life for the Taino people. Background on the Taino culture before the arrival of Columbus is provided in an afterword.

  • Johnston, Tony. The Magic Maguey. Harcourt Brace, 1996.
    Primary
    
    The maguey has many practical uses for the Mexican pueblo--from providing a roof to producing thread. Miguel cleverly discovers a way to save the beloved maguey plant from destruction by rich landowner Don César.

  • Johnston, Tony. My Mexico-Mexico Mio. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1996.
    Primary
    
    A love of Mexico is expressed through the gentle poetry and dignified illustrations of this collection. The author lived in Mexico City for fifteen years; the illustrator is second generation Mexican American.

  • Kleven, Elisa. Hooray!, A Pinata!. Dutton, 1996.
    Primary
    
    After she chooses a cute dog piñata for her birthday party, Clara pretends it is her pet and doesn't want it to get broken. Lively illustrations, brimming with detail, carry this story of family, good friends, and a little girl who loves her pretend dog.

  • Lewis, Thomas P. Hill of Fire. Harper & Row, 1971.
    
    Hill of Fire is the true story of the eruption of Paricutin volcano in Mexico which occurred in 1943. It is a unique story about a farmer who was unhappy because nothing exciting ever happened in his life. One day, everything changed, when the ground open up and a volcano started right in the middle of his cornfield. Soon his home and the small, quiet village in which he ligved, were covered by the lava and ash. The people escaped the danger and built a new village eventually.

  • Marcus, Judith. Fiesta Time in Mexico.
    

  • Martinez, Victor. Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida. HarperCollins, 1996.
    Grades 9-12
    
    The story of Manny Hernández propels readers into the heart of a Mexican American boy "who trusts too much." Using fresh, metaphorical language, Martínez captures Manny's tests of courage and masculinity, and his sense of self and place as he works alongside migrant workers in a chili pepper field, drives through an upperclass neighborhood with his teacher, and tends his grandmother's garden. Yet the central setting for the story is Manny's home, where, amidst his family's love, fear and loyalties he is most able to reflect and begin to build a future. His vision, relationships, and judgments will enable young adolescents and their teachers to explore the social and personal complexities of finding a place for oneself that is spacious enough to hold the myriad, precise insights and experiences of Latinos in the United States. (Winner of the 1996 National Book Award for Juvenile Literature and the 1996 Americas Honorable Mention).

  • Mohr, Nicholasa. All for the Better: The Story of El Barrio. Steck-Vaughn, 1993.
    Renowned Puerto Rican writer, Mohr, tells the true story of a young girl, Evelina Lopez Antonetty (1984-1992), wwho made a difference in her community.

  • Mora, Pat. The Desert is My Mother/El Desierto Es Mi Madre. Pinata Books, 1995.
    With English and Spanish text, Mora captures the wondrous beauty of Mother Earth through vivid pictures and descriptions of the desert.

  • Mora, Pat. Confetti: Poems For Children. Lee & Low, 1996.
    Primary
    
    Poems celebrate the beauty of the Southwest as experienced by a Mexican American girl. Spanish words and Latino culture are integrated into the text; the collection includes a glossary and bright acrylic illustrations add detail.

  • O'Dell, Scott. Child of Fire.

  • Palacios, Argentina. Viva Mexico! The Story of Benito Juarez and Cinco de Mayo. Steck-Vaughn, 1993.
    
    The story of Zapotec Indian Benito Juarez, who became President of Mexico. The author also provides information on Cinco de Mayo, a major holiday celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

  • Rodriguez, Gina. M. Green Corn Tamales/Tamales De Elote. Hispanic Book Distributors, 1994.
    Come join the tamale-making at a Latino family reunion at grandmother's house-the warmth of this family leaps off the page!

  • Shute, Linda. Rabbit Wishes. Lothrop, 1995.
    Cuba
    Children will love the story of tio Conejo (Uncle Rabbit) and his wish that Papa Dios make him bigger. This African-Cuban folktale is one of many tales about tio Conejo.

  • Sonneborn, Ruth. Friday Night is Papa Night. Puffin books, 1970.
    Puerto Rico
    Primary
    Every Friday night, Papa comes home from work and Pedro and his family eagerly await his arrival. This night, when Papa finally arrives much later than expected, the family makes the homecoming a warm and wonderful event.

  • Soto, Gary. The Old Man and His Door. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1996.
    Primary
    Misunderstanding his wife's instructions, an old man sets out for a party with a door, la puerta, instead of el puerco, the pig for barbecuing, on his back. The amusing illustrations contribute to this comedy of errors as the old man struggles with the door but helps others along the way.

    Soto, Gary. Too Many Tamales. Putnam, 1993.
    
    Mexican-American Maria tries her mother's wedding ring on while she is making tamales for Christmas dinner. When the ring is missing, Maria is sure it is in one of the tamales, and she aand her cousins try to eat their way out of trouble.

  • Stanley, Diane. Elena. Hyperion, 1996.
    Grades 3-6
    
    A Mexican American girl recounts how her mother moved the family to the United States during the Mexican Revolution. In this story passed from the real Elena to the author's grandmother to the author, the strength of one woman mirrors the strength of countless other women, past and present, who have done what was necessary for the sake of family and future.

  • Tamer, Erika. Alphabet City Ballet.
    Puerto Rico
    Marisol, a ten-year-old Puerto Rican girl, wins a scholarship to attend ballet school, along with a Haitian-born classmate. Marisol's love of dancing coexists with her father's efforts to make ends meet and provide a good home for his children, and her brother's search for his own place in the world. This engaging, believable story provides a very real sense of this family's life in New York City.

  • Tamar, Erika. The Garden of Happiness. Harcourt Brace, 1996.
    Primary

    Marisol and her ethnically diverse neighbors turn a vacant New York City lot into a lush community garden. Mural-like colorful paintings, which move as if in a breeze, depict Marisol and her community as they plant and tend the garden. Her plant dies when the season changes but is reborn again in the art on a neighborhood wall.

    Suggested Activity: Paint brightly colored murals.

  • Thomas, Jane Resh. Lights on the River.
    Teresa, the young daughter of migrant workers, has a hard life, but keeps the memories of her grandmother and Mexico alive in her heart.
    A Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies.

  • Van Laan, Nancy. La Boda. Little, Brown, 1996.
    Primary
    
    A little girl and her grandmother watch as the whole Mexican village prepares for and participates in a traditional Zapotec Indian wedding celebration. Light, graceful illustrations accompany the rhythmical text.

  • Wing, Natasha. Jalapeno Bagels. Atheneum, 1996.
    Primary
    
    For International Day at school, Pablo wants to bring something that reflects the culture of both his parents who are Mexican and Jewish. By symbolically honoring his family, Pablo learns something about who he is. Warm illustrations show the tenderness with which the family lives, works and bakes together.
    Suggested Activity: bake jalapeno bagles.

  • Winter, Jeanette. Diego.
    
    This is the story of the life of Diego Rivera, a great muralist of Mexico, beautifully told through pictures and simple text. He was a boy who loved to draw and grew up to use his talent to celebrate and tell the story of the Mexican people.

    Suggested Activity: After sharing the book with children, have students paint murals of Mexico in the manner of Diego.

    Visit the Diego Rivera Web Museum to enrich understanding of the book.

  • Winter, Jeanette. Josefina. Harcourt Brace, 1996.
    Primary
    
    Inspired by the work of Mexican folk artist Josefina Aguilar, the book also functions as a counting book in Spanish. Josefina learns to mold clay figures as a child by watching her parents and continues the art form throughout her lifetime. The illustrations are true to the clay folk art tradition.

    Suggested Activity: Have students work with clay to form animals or pottery.

  • Wojciechowska, Maia. Shadow of a Bull.
    Newbery Award

  • Zapater, Beatriz. Three Kings Day. Modern Curriculum Press, 1992.
    Come meet two young Puerto Rican children living in the United States as they prepare for the celebration of Three Kings Day on January 6th.

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  Hispanic Literature Links

  • Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents
  • The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs
  • Hispanic American Images in Children's Books
  • Hispanic Reading Room

  

  Hispanic Resources on the WWW: Educational

  • Amigos
  • Coleman's Website for Hispanics
    A ccomprehensive collection of Hispanic-related sites; includes categories on teaching and learning Spanish, countries, history, government, politics, news, culture, programs of study, dictionaries, and more!

    MayaQuest

    Join Daan Buettner and his crew of scientists and adventurers as they explore Latin America. This outstanding project provides meaningful interactions between students around the world and the MayaQuest team.

    Project Central America

    This web site contains teaching materials which will allow educators to bring Central America into their classroom. Teachers are encouraged to use the site as an electronic textbook, media resource, language tutor, and more.

  Hispanic Culture

  • Hispanic Cultural Links
  • Web Museum Latin America

  Hispanic Recipes

  • The Flavor of Cuba

  About Mexico

  • Mariachi Music

  

  About Latin America

  Coming Soon!!!

  

  

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