Books by Latino Authors and Illustrators for Children and Teens
A Few Selections by Some of Our Favorite Latino and Latina Book Creators
One in 4 children born in the US are Latino. Only 2% of children's books published in the US feature Latino characters or are written or illustrated by Latinos. So, it's important to keep an eye out for the many wonderful titles that are available so that we can make our classrooms more representative.
It's perhaps obvious why it is good for Latino students to see themselves represented in books. It's also really important that non-Latino students get plenty of exposure to this large and essential segment of US and world culture.
These books are nowhere near an exhaustive list of the best, but they're a good start.
Raúl Colón
Grades PreK - 3
Draw! by Raul Colon. Picture Book. 40 pages.
Find this book: Local Bookstore, Amazon
In this wordless book, a boy is stuck in bed with asthma. He has a book about Africa and a sketchbook. We follow along as he imagines that he is in Africa drawing the animals. Starting with a sedate artist-at-his-easel pose in front of an elephant, the illustrations become less and less predictable as he rides on the elephant to find a herd of zebras to draw, poses for a portrait drawn by a baboon, and narrowly escapes a charging rhinoceros. This is a wonderful, inspired work on the power of the imagination and art to engage us and transport us. Read More in our Featured Book Teachers Guide with discussion questions, extension activities, related books and links.
Matt de la Pena
Grades PreK - 9
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. Illustrated by Christian Robinson. Picture Book. 32 pages.
Find this book: Local Bookstore, Amazon
This picture book is truly extraordinary and while delightful for the preschool set can be used with older students right up through middle school as well. An African-American child and his look-on-the-bright-side grandmother take a bus from church to a soup kitchen. Along the way the grandmother helps him appreciate the unexpected beauty in the city. The tone is quite light and playful while the themes explored are profound. It is so well regarded that it won the prestigious Newbery Medal, one of only two picture books ever to have won it. Read More in our Featured Book Teachers Guide with discussion questions, extension activities, related books and links.