16 Best Latino Children's Books on Hispanic Heroes

The most asked question I get as a Latina blogger is, “What are your recommendations for Hispanic Children’s books?So I finally had a minute to put together some of the best Latino Children’s books on Hispanic Heroes. These books can be added to your home library or at school, it’s a great resource.

A few months ago I shared some of my favorite children’s books on Mexican culture so if you’re looking for books on all things Mexico then pop over and checkout the list. My hope is to start collecting many of the books below and giving them to my children as gifts through out the year, expanding our home library and broadening their world view!

One of my favorite books from this list is “Separate is Never Equal” by Duncan Tonatiuh (the link is below so you can check it out). If you know me, you know that I’m very justice oriented and since I was as young as 5 years old, I’ve been standing up for those without a voice whether it was family or those around me who couldn’t speak English and didn’t have the vocabulary to defend themselves. So this book holds a special place in my heart because the Mendez family stood up for what they believed was right and as a result they made a difference for thousands of children in school.

This is my favorite quote in the book. They got to the point in the story where they are waiting to hear the judges response. When they discover so many people of different backgrounds and different parts of the country supported their cause they were shocked.

The mom replies with, “Cuando la causa es justa los demas te siguen.” which means “When you fight for justice others will follow.”

You’re going to love this great collection of books! Teachers add these books to your classroom. Librarians add these to your shelves and of course include some in your own personal library!

16 Best Latino Children’s Books on Hispanic Heroes

(click on the images to get information about each book)

Pablo Neruda by Monica Brown

Ellen Ochoa by Pam Walker

My Name is Celia by Monica Brown

That’s Not Fair Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice by Carmen Tafolla

Side by Side The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez by Monica Brown

Tito Puente Mambo King by Monica Brown

Sonia Sotomayor A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter

Yes, we can! by Diana Cohn

Pele King of Soccer by Monica Brown

Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

My Name is Gabito by Monica Brown

Frida Kahlo by Isabel Sanchez Vegara

My Name is Gabriella by Monica Brown

Cesar Chavez by David A. Adler

Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera

100 Hispanic-Americans Who Shaped American History by Rick Laezman

Each of these fiction and non-fiction books above share a story about a Latin American Hero. No matter your culture background we all need a hero to inspire us in life.

I really enjoyed the ideas in this book to get my kids involved in discovering their Latino roots.

A Kid’s Guide to Latino History by Valerie Petrillo

Click on the images above and discover how ordinary people do extraordinary things for their community and world. (affiliate links) Also, if you’re looking for more information Time Magazine put together this piece on their website The 25 Most Influential Hispanic in America.

Here’s a printable list of the 16 Best Latino Books on Hispanic Heroes to print off and take to your library or bookstore. I’m curious how diverse your library is so after you go to your library stop by my Facebook page and tell me how many of these books you found in your library. Download your list here: 16 BEST LATINO CHILDREN’S BOOKS ON HISPANIC HEROES List

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I’m participating in the Read Around the World Summer Series with lots of other awesome bloggers in the Multicultural Bloggers Group. This is the third year the Read Around the World has been celebrating diversity . Throughout the summer bloggers from all corners of the world are sharing their favorite children’s books. If you want to know more about the series check out our Pinterest board and follow the Multicultural Kids Blog Facebook page.

Here are more post on Hispanic Heritage ideas that you’ll enjoy!