KidsTown shares their favorite STEM picture books to read to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Lucía the Luchadora
Written by: Cynthia Leonor Garza
Illustrated by: Alyssa Bermudez
Lucía zips through the playground in her cape just like the boys, but when they tell her "girls can't be superheroes," suddenly she doesn't feel so mighty.
That's when her beloved abuela reveals a dazzling secret: Lucía comes from a family of luchadoras, the bold and valiant women of the Mexican lucha libre tradition. Cloaked in a flashy new disguise, Lucía returns as a recess sensation! But when she's confronted with a case of injustice, Lucía must decide if she can stay true to the ways of the luchadora and fight for what is right, even if it means breaking the sacred rule of never revealing the identity behind her mask.
A Song of Frutas
Illustrated by: Sara Palacios
When we visit mi abuelo, I help him sell
frutas, singing the names of each fruit
as we walk, our footsteps like drumbeats,
our hands like maracas, shaking…
The little girl loves visiting her grandfather in Cuba and singing his special songs to sell all kinds of fruit: mango, limón, naranja, piña, and more! Even when they’re apart, grandfather and granddaughter can share rhymes between their countries like un abrazo—a hug—made of words carried on letters that soar across the distance like songbirds.
Dia de Los Muertos
Illustrated by: Carles Ballesteros
El Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead, is here―a holiday for celebrating the lives of departed family and friends. Altars are decorated with sugar skulls and marigolds. Tamales and sweets are ready to eat. Soon it will be time for picnics, music, and a costume parade! Come join in these joyful and vibrant festivities that are a tradition in Mexico, the United States, and throughout Latin America.
La Princesa and the Pea
Illustrated by: Juana Martinez-Neal
El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree. The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .
Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.
Off we go to Mexico
Illustrated by: Christopher Corr
Looking for more books to celebrate and learn about Hispanic Heritage Month?
Check out some of the theses different activities to try at home from Scholastic! Try one out and use it as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to U.S. culture!