Teach Your Kids About Their Heritage
The Bossy Gallito
The classic Cuban folktale of a demanding rooster on his way to his uncle's wedding, “The Bossy Gallito” is a Pura Belpré Award Honor Book. Delacre’s illustrations are rich with detail, bringing to life the arrogant rooster. And as the Bossy Gallito walks down the street, you may recognize details in the background similar to la Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana.
Though the tale of “El gallo de bodas” finds its roots in Spain, this book proudly shares the Cuban version. Parents can once again choose from which language to read the book, as it comes with full text in English and Spanish.
To buy: The Bossy Gallito, $5
¡Marimba!: Animales From A to Z
Get ready for a toe-tapping reading adventure as you follow a little monkey who once a year sings the zookeepers to sleep, then proceeds to wake up all the animals in the zoo with his little marimba for an energetic fiesta. Before you know it, the iguanas are doing the cha-cha and the manatees are dancing the mambo while quetzales sell lemonade and ocelotes make piñatas. The lively pace of this book does not lend itself to a nice soothing bedtime read, however, so be prepared to get up and move!
The neat part of this book is how it introduces children to 26 cognates to help both Spanish and English-speaking children find similarities in both languages. Parents will also enjoy seeing typical Latin dances and foods mentioned throughout the book.
To buy: ¡Marimba!, $3
Abuelo and The Three Bears
A hilarious adaptation of the Goldilocks folktale, “Abuelo and the Three Bears” will have both you and your child giggling with its funny storyline that puts a Latin twist on the traditional tale. To pass the time while they wait for primos to arrive, Abuelo tells young Emilio a story. But in his version, a young girl named Trencitas (who has black braids) is off to visit her friend, Osito. But his family has left on a walk to give their frijoles time to cool down.
This book is so much fun to read. The publisher has cleverly made one side of the book in English, and when you flip it over, the other side is in Spanish.
To buy: Abuelo y Los Tres Osos, $3
The Best Mariachi in The World
No matter what your Latin heritage is, your child will surely be inspired by little Gustavo who dreams of being a great mariachi and playing the guitarrón. But because he cannot play the trompeta, the violín, or the guitarrón, his family won’t let him be a part of their mariachi band. Devastated that he does not get to perform with them in restaurants or at wedding parties, Gustavo feels like he is the worst mariachi in the world. Until one day he discovers his true talent!
The illustrations in this book are absolutely adorable and will capture your child’s attention. It’s written in English with Spanish text embedded throughout, and is a great read for bilingual families.
The Empanadas That Abuela Made
Inspired by her own family’s holiday empanada-making tradition, Gonzalez Bertrand’s humorous bilingual tale of making pumpkin empanadas is a real treat for the reader. Within the pages of this book, you and your child will see all the love, joy and humor that comes with being together with family. DeLange’s illustrations are lively; the action flows from page to page. And you can continue the experience even after you finish reading by making empanadas with your child using the recipe included at the end of the book.
What Can You Do With a Paleta?
Your nene will be ecstatic when you read this colorful book about one of their favorite foods: Paletas! “What Can You Do with a Paleta?” is a story about all the different ways one little girl finds for using a paleta. From creating a colorful masterpiece to making new friends, your own child will be inspired to get creative the next time she gets to enjoy a popsicle! With warm, vibrant illustrations in every paleta color imaginable, this book is a feast for the eyes, too. And don’t be surprised if your mouth is watering and your pancita is asking for a tasty treat by the end!
