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Product Description: Even at the advanced age of seven, Magda Madrigal can remember back to when she was a little girl and would watch her abuela making tortillas. Having studied techniques of a master, she now feels confident of her own ability to turn out beautiful, delicious, and round tortillas. But somehow the rolling pin and the kitchen still hold a few surprises for the perplexed Magda and for her delighted family. Great art isn’t always pretty, but in the case of “tortilla artist” Magda Madrigal, at least it’s tasty!

Magda’s Tortillas

Becky Chavarría-Chairez

Illustrator:

Anne Vega

Age Level:

6-9

Opuestos: Mexican Folk Art Opposites

Cynthia Weill

Age Level:

0-3

Genre:

Nonfiction

Magda’s tío has purchased the perfect piñata for her little brother’s birthday. In fact, Gabriel’s piñata is so perfect that he insists that no one break it. But what fun is a birthday party withoout a piñata? And how can the neighborhood children break the piñata without breaking Gabriel’s heart? Finally, with the help of her abuela’s resourcefull little cat, Tita, Magda works some midnight magic and engineers an ingenious solution to save the party and the piñata.

Magda’s Piñata Magic

Becky Chavarría-Chairez

Illustrator:

Anne Vega

Age Level:

6-9

“The fruit- blended juice drinks known as aguas frescas offered at a fair inspire a little girl and her mother to serve their own version after a soccer practice. The dual English/ Spanish text is augmented by summery scenes in opaque, rich colors. The simplicity of the suggested idea that homemade fruit juice will always be fun to make and delicious to drink is appealing.” — KIRKUS Reviews

Alicia’s Fruity Drinks

Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Illustrator:

Laura Lacamara

Age Level:

6-9

“Rosenberg, director of the Bilingual Theater, provides a collection of staged Hispanic plays for children, providing a wide range of plots and multicultural characters throughout. Plays are provided in English, Spanish and bilingual formats and provide diverse and often unexpected themes which will prove refreshingly different for young aspiring actors.” — Midwest Book Review

¡Aplauso!: Hispanic Children’s Theatre

Joe Rosenberg

Age Level:

6-9

“Up on the altiplano, the littlest llama wants to have fun, but the other llamas are busy. He sets off on a short journey to find playmates, but something ‘fierce and orange and round like the sun’ (a child’s ball) chases him, and he scurries home, frightened. There, a surprise awaits: a new baby llama to play with, and also, most important, Mama’s comforting cuddleThroughout, the text and art give a strong sense of llama behavior, from dust bathing to neck wrestling, and incorporate South American cultural elements.” — Booklist

The Littlest Llama

Jane Buxton

Illustrator:

Jenny Cooper

Age Level:

3-6

Two people in bright, stylized garb sail to the islands known as the Galapagos. On successive days of the week, they see a variety of the animals that live there with the repeating refrain, “We’re sailing to Galapagos….I wonder who we’ll see.” End notes describe in greater detail the location and inhabitants of the Galapagos as well as a brief piece about Charles Darwin who sailed there.

We’re Sailing to Galapagos: A Week in the Pacific

Laurie Krebs

Illustrator:

Grazia Restelli

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Nonfiction

“The mountain landscape is at the center of this picture book about the Peruvian Inti Raymi Festival as children travel from all over southern Peru, by bus, train, boat, mule, and truck, to the city of Cusco to celebrate with feasting and fun in their traditional costumes. The simple rhyming text and the bright, clear, beautiful unframed acrylic paintings express a strong sense of the rich traditions that are still part of contemporary life, from the clothes and food at the party to the images of the Sun God.” — Booklist

Up and Down the Andes: A Peruvian Festival Tale

Laurie Krebs

Illustrator:

Aurelia Fronty

Age Level:

3-6

Product Description: The young Mexican American girl at the center of this charming book loves her family — five younger brothers, her two parents, and several visiting relatives — but in such a crowded house, she can never seem to find a moment alone. Told in both English and Spanish, this boldly illustrated title based on the author’s childhood delivers the inspiring story of a California family that pulled together to give a young girl her own corner of the world.

My Very Own Room

Amada Irma Pérez

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: The Upside Down Boy is the sequel to Calling the Doves and award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera’s engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time. Juanito is bewildered by the new school, and he misses the warmth of country life. Everything he does feels upside downBut a sensitive teacher and loving family help him to find his voice and make a place for himself in this new world through poetry, art, and music.

The Upside Down Boy

Juan Felipe Herrera

Illustrator:

Elizabeth Gomez

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: The yellow dress Erandi wants for her birthday will look beautiful with her long, thick braids. But Mama’s fishing net is full of holes, and there isn’t enough money to buy both a new net and a birthday dress. The only solution lies with the hair buyers from the city. But Mama’s hair isn’t nearly as beautiful as Erandi’s. Will Erandi have to choose between her birthday present and her braids? This touching tale of love and sacrifice is sprinkled throughout with Spanish words and expressions.

Erandi’s Braids

Antonio Hernández Madrigal

Illustrator:

Tomie dePaola

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Fiction

“Jessenia, her Mami, and her brother, Luis, are off to the suburbs to watch Jessenia swim at a meet. Jessenia is intimidated by the big new suburban pool and the fact that the other team is on a winning streak. Her team is behind, but she manages to win her last matchJessenia’s story is juxtaposed against the memories Mami has of her home in Puerto Rico; as Jessenia swims, the blue of the water reminds her of the expanse of ocean Mami has often described.” — Booklist

Get Set! Swim!

Jeannine Atkins

Illustrator:

Hector Viveros Lee

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: Stolen away from her parents on her first birthday by island sorceress Madam Fate, beautiful Sugar Cane grows up in a tower overlooking the sea, her only consolation her love of music. Then one night, someone does hear her song, but could this young man with a gift for music break the spell of Madam Fate and help Sugar Cane set herself free? Patricia Storace’s lyrical and poignant retelling of the Rapunzel tale in a Caribbean setting is perfectly matched with Raúl Colón’s lush illustrations.

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel

Patricia Storace

Illustrator:

Raul Colón

Age Level:

6-9

This Taino creation story describes how the island of Puerto Rico came into existence when the Earth was a desert without water. A young boy’s adventures lead to the growth of a beautiful forest on top of a mounatain and then the introduction of the sea and its creatures around the base of the mountain, which becomes an island. The lovely, stylized illustrations are a perfect match for the traditional story.

The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico

Nina Jaffe

Illustrator:

Enrique O. Sanchez

Age Level:

6-9

Far on the other side of the mountains, next to an enchanted castle, grows a tree with three golden oranges. It is there that three brothers must journey if they wish to find a wife. Will the brothers be able to avert misfortune by working together? Will they be strong enough to break the spell that a wicked sorcerer has placed on the castle? Alma Flor Ada offers this poetic retelling of a well-loved traditional story about Blancaflor, a mythical young woman who appears in stories throughout the Hispanic world.

The Three Golden Oranges

Alma Flor Ada

Illustrator:

Stephen Cartwright

Age Level:

9-12

Genre:

Fairytales, Folk Tales, and Tall Tales, Fiction

“Soto takes readers to a Mexican American nuptial, and young Maya, the flower girl, is the lens through which the action is seenCreated with Sculpy clay, acrylic paints, wood, ribbons, and flowers, the art is displayed in large boxes set against pages covered with lace. The doll-like members of the wedding are exaggerated just enough to be amusing; at times, just a body part or two are highlighted, as when Maya’s feet are shown on top of her father’s while they dance.” — Booklist

Snapshots from the Wedding

Gary Soto

Illustrator:

Stephanie Garcia

Age Level:

3-6

Juanito is miserable — his family has just moved to New York, and because he only speaks Spanish, he has no one to talk to. What’s more, his dog, Pepito, is lost! Juanito knows that most of his neighbors won’t understand “Mi perro se ha perdido,” so he asks a man at the bank to help him make a sign in English. Suddenly, people all over the city want to help Juanito find Pepito…and the search is on!

My Dog Is Lost

Ezra Keats

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

The Corn Grows Ripe

Dorothy Rhoads

Illustrator:

Jean Charlot

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: Diego and his family are migrant farmers who move from state to state picking fruits and vegetables. Each day brings a new experience — a different place, a different crop, and different people to meet. But no matter where Diego goes, his radio goes with him — it helps him to learn about the places he’s going and to keep in touch with the people he meets along the way.

Radio Man

Arthur Dorros

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: In this short chapter book, we meet Gloria, who always spends Christmas with Papi, Mama, and Nana. But this Christmas, Papi is away picking oranges and Mama has to work at the hotel where she is a maid. Gloria soon discovers that the lavish decorations and foods piled high on the tables are only for the guests. How Gloria moves from disappointment to understanding makes for a poignant story that honors the true spirit of the Christmas season.

Mama Had to Work on Christmas

Carolyn Marsden

Illustrator:

Robert Casilla

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: It’s the Feast of the Three Kings, and that means the Three Wise Men, or Magi, will ride through the night sky to deliver gifts to children. Four-year-old Federico has misbehaved, and now he is afraid the Magi won’t leave him any presents. As his brother and sister prepare hay and water for the Magi’s camels, Federico wonders if the Magi will really come. This gorgeously illustrated storybook by Beatriz Vidal glows with warmth and holiday cheer, and readers everywhere will surely find themselves scanning the night skies for the Magi.

Federico and the Magi’s Gift: A Latin American Christmas Story

Beatriz Vidal

Age Level:

3-6

Product Description: On Christmas Eve, Carlos is dismayed to see the procession of neighbors and friends coming up the front walk for Las Posadas. His parents and grandfather aren’t home yet — so it’s up to Carlos to take over Grandfather’s role as the Innkeeper. But he’s so frightened, he can hardly breathe, let alone sing! Carlos’s triumph over his shyness, and the joyful celebration that follows, make this a satisfying story for any season.

Carlos, Light the Farolito

Jean Ciavonne

Illustrator:

Donna Clair

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: In the night sky, the moon hangs low and the fireflies flicker. A young girl in a small town explores the haunted house of the revolutionary Juan Sebastian, discovers music on the cantina’s jukebox, and is chided by her mother for mischievousness. Award-winning poet and writer Lucha Corpi recalls her childhood in Jaltipan, Mexico and shares the discovery that, like Juan Sebastian, each person has a destiny to follow.