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These could be good for students practicing their Spanish in World Language classes, making inferences in Language Arts, or for MLL Spanish speaking students who need a text to practice LA skills

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Rebellious veggies, family stories, bath time fun, and more are featured in this roundup of bilingual and Spanish-language picture books.

Aceituno, David.La rebelión de las verduras . illus. by Daniel Montero Galán. 48p. Beascoa. Mar. 2023. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9788448845025. -There is a rebellion brewing in the refrigerator. All of the vegetables are upset that children run and scream from fear when they see vegetables on their plates. Vegetables are constantly left behind on the kids' unfinished plates, much to their disappointment. Enough is enough! They want to be loved just as much as desserts. While some of the veggies lead the charge, others are considering going on vacation to avoid the rebellion. But just as they are tiring from the rebellion, the refrigerator is opened and a woman and child are visible. A childlike voice is heard requesting vegetables for the meal. This hilarious text is filled with colorful characters that just want to be appreciated. The art is reminiscent of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace's Little Pea. These veggies have big personalities that will remind readers of Drew Daywalt's The Day the Crayons Quit. This is a great way to expose children to new types of greens, while making them laugh in the process. VERDICT Definitely a text that will be enjoyed by older children with some reading proficiency; this would also make for a fun read-aloud. -Melanie Ortega

Acosta, Alicia. Una habitación muy ruidosa . illus. by Lucía Serrano. 40p. Editorial Flamboyant. Feb. 2023. Tr $18.96. ISBN 9788419401021. SP
K-Gr 2-Pepino has a huge problem. He is a light sleeper. Every sound he hears prevents him from falling asleep. He decides to move far away from the noise of the city into the country. There, the sound of the wind keeps him up at night. The next day, his elderly neighbor, noticing the dark bags under his eyes, proceeds to give him advice on what to do. Night after night, he follows her instructions. Pretty soon, Pepino has a whole barn of animals inside his room making all kinds of noises while he tries to sleep. Once all the animals are gone and all that remains is the sound of the wind, he is finally able to get some rest. With similarities to the Yiddish folktale "It Could Be Worse," this humorous story will have readers not only practicing their animal sounds but also appreciating the importance of good neighbors. VERDICT This text could potentially be the most fun read-aloud in the entire school library. Purchase for all Spanish-language shelves. -Melanie Ortega

Archer, Micha. Caminantes curiosos. illus. by Micha Archer. 32p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. Apr. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593616741. SP
Gr 1-3-This Spanish translation of the Caldecott Honor title is just as stunning. Two young travelers set out on a walk to explore nature with a fresh and wonder-filled perspective. They ask questions like "Is the ground the skin of the earth?" and "Are roots the feet of plants?" The book's collage illustrations, unchanged from the original, are beautiful and vivid, easily drawing in readers and encouraging them to explore the natural wonders that exist all around us. The lyrical Spanish text is spare and leaves space for kids to ponder as they examine the intricate art. VERDICT Engaging. A good choice where the English edition is popular. -Lissette Perez-Hernandez

Argueta, Jorge. Tierra, Tierrita/Earth, Little Earth. tr. by Elizabeth Bell. illus. by Felipe Ugalde Alcántara. 32p. (Madre Tierra/Mother Earth: Bk. 4). Piñata Bks. May 2023. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781558859678. -Mother Earth is all around, in every mineral, plant, and animal-from dawn to sunset, from water to fire. Acclaimed Nahua poet Argueta follows up his previous nature-themed picture books (most recently Viento, vientito) with this rumination on Mother Earth with Indigenous cosmovision at its heart. The one- to five-line Spanish-language verses, set on a light brown background on the verso page, progress through the book as if the words in black type were living beings, pouring gratitude to the one mother of all. The verses are separated by Mesoamericanlike iconography. The English translation emulates the emotions of the Spanish narrative, expressing the message of the need for a healthy ecosystem. The colored pencil illustrations on the recto pages communicate the book's ambiance with detailed depictions that will resonate for children. This book could be read alongside Argueta's picture book Fuego, fueguito in a climate action or environmental-themed story time. The back matter includes the entire poem in Nahuatl. VERDICT An environmental picture book that connects young children with the positive emotions drawn from Mother Earth as the creator of all life.- Kathia Ibacache

Colato Laínez, René. Do I Belong Here/¿Es este mi lugar? illus. by Fabricio Vanden Broeck. 32p. Arte Publico Pr. May 2023. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781558859685. BL
Gr 1-4-René goes to school for the first time and is very confused. He is trying to find his classroom, but the teachers and students don't speak Spanish. When he arrives, he tries to understand what is being asked of him and takes the tests he is given, but is laughed at and gets a big red F. He feels like he doesn't belong. With time, his Spanish-speaking friend Carlos and his soccer-loving friend Robert help him with his assignments and play with him at school. He thinks that maybe he belongs. As even more time passes, he is able to start reading and writing in English. His class cheers for him when he aces his spelling test. He finally feels as if he really does belong. When a new classmate joins the school only knowing Spanish, he reassures her that with time, she, too, will belong. VERDICT A bilingual text that offers an empathetic look at how immigrant children start to learn little by little, and adapt to their surroundings and friends. Recommended for all shelves. -Melanie Ortega

David, Elias. Mis días con Papá/Spending Time with Dad. illus. by Claudia Delgadillo. 32p. Arte Publico Pr. May 2023. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781558859692. BL
Toddler-PreS-A little boy shares his daily routine with his stay-at-home dad and working mom. His dad helps him with the usual rituals by sharing traditional rhymes while giving them an unconventional twist, blending English and Spanish words. Both texts provide the same blending of the traditional rhymes. Bilingual readers will appreciate the ease with which code switching occurs. The author provides a shift in traditional norms of what families can look like while still offering readers comfort in seeing a familiar structure in the day. The soft palette of the illustrations is perfect for the intended audience. This relatable story is a recommended purchase. -Erika Villaherrera

De la vega, J. Wepa. illus. by J. de la Vega. 40p. Lil' Libros. May 2023. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781948066549. BL
PreS-Gr 2-Mia Emilia Lucia Renata is an active little girl with a big name. She views herself as exceptional, fashionable, and creative. Unfortunately, the grown-ups in her life label her flaws as clumsy, loud, and messy. While in the beginning of the story Mia appears tall and proud, the negative words from her loved ones diminish her. The only person who expressively values Mia is her abuela, who tells her that she simply has too much "wepa." While this word, commonly used in Latin America does not have a literal English translation, the story describes it as magic. Wepa is meant to be shared with others. As Mia embraces her wepa, she returns to her essence as the exceptional little girl she believed herself to be. The quirky illustrations are bright and colorful, representative of the main character's point of view. The palette of pinks and teals give the book a fun, childlike appeal. Abuela sports an afro and big teal glasses. The book identifies symptoms of ADHD without labeling them as such. Instead, the focus is on Mia's perspective and how she is seen by others; children will be able to relate to her and her problems. Mia has light brown skin and curly brown hair. An author's note to adults encourages them to dismantle "chancla culture," or the practice of punishing children by hitting them with a physical object, like a slipper. VERDICT This little book preaches an important message of acceptance and respect without didacticism. Purchase for all bilingual shelves.- Erika Villaherrera

Genhart, Michael. El español es la lengua de mi familia. illus. by John Parra. 40p. Holiday House/Neal Porter. Jul. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780823454464. SP
K-Gr 3-Little Michael signs up for the annual Spanish spelling bee offered at his school, and he is excited about entering because Spanish is the language that his family speaks. He practices various words with the help of his family members, especially his grandmother. As they practice, his abuela tells stories about how she and her friends were only allowed to speak English at school or they would be punished, sent home, or hit with a paddle. As Michael wins the spelling bee, he knows that he and his family win more than just a ribbon, but they also win healing and love. Parra's art is impeccable, offering rich conversations even within the illustrations. VERDICT A beautifully designed read-aloud that celebrates the importance of knowing more than one language, while also shedding light on what first-generation immigrants went through to make that possible today. -Melanie Ortega

Henriques, Ricardo. 1o a la derecha. illus. by Nicolau. 64p. Editorial Destellos. May 2023. Tr $14. ISBN 9781958479926. -A mysterious man has moved to the first floor of an apartment building. "Is he a thief or a master supervillain?" wonders a young Black girl who spends her days looking through a window. She loves to observe people across the floors and those walking on the street. This new tenant, who appears to write constantly, unknowingly triggers her detective skills. Although her dad calls out her indiscretion, the girl's investigative curiosity elevates her desire to explain and resolve. Nicolau illustrates neighborhood scenes that creatively showcase the lively activities of the many characters walking by or living near the main character. Translated from Portuguese, the Spanish-language narrative sometimes reads awkwardly. The text will be most enjoyed by those who are very proficient and comfortable reading in Spanish because of its complex phrasing . The full-spread, monochromatic orange art wonderfully depicts the busy people in this story, providing an excellent experience for those who enjoy detail-oriented illustrations. Readers learn why the girl spends so much time by the window at the end of the story. VERDICT A charming detective picture book for curious children who enjoy decoding visual clues. -Kathia Ibacache

Hernandez, Zaida. Luz Lucero, niña astronauta. illus. by Karla Monterrosa. 40p. Lil' Libros. Mar. 2023. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781948066457. -A sweet and informative bilingual picture book that details the training a girl astronaut has to undergo to make it to space. Texan Luz Lucero, only eight years old, is selected as the first kid to ever go to the moon. She must endure strenuous prep, meeting a mechanical engineer, food scientist, scuba diver, linguist, flight controller, lunar scientist, computer programmer, and space suit engineer, learning about each aspect of space travel along the way. Sometimes the nonfiction aspect of the narrative bogs down the tale, but kids fascinated by the subject will happily push through. The majority of the diverse crew of experts are women. Luz is depicted as a wavy-haired girl with light brown skin, red glasses, and a chipped tooth, reminiscent of Encanto's Mirabel. The digital art is bright and saturated with vivid pinks and indigos, with Luz's wonder obvious on every page. The font has a futuristic, sci-fi feel, adding to the overall experience. Author and illustrator's notes in the back matter encourage kids to pursue STEM fields. VERDICT The combination of the appealing art, focus on women in STEM, and charming premise, will make this a fun choice for space-themed read-alouds.- Shelley M. Diaz

LIU-TRUJILLO, Robert. Jugo Fresco. illus. by Robert Liu-Trujillo. 32p. Lee & Low. Jul. 2023. pap.$11.95. ISBN 9781643796697. SP
Gr 1-4-Art and his father journey through the neighborhood seeking fresh ingredients to make a healing juice for the older man. At the market, neighbors offer various products from different places that are good for making a juice. In the end, Art and his stepfather create the juice and recognize that "community" is the most important ingredient for this home remedy. The illustrations are rich in diversity, as the ingredients come from different cultures. The found ingredients tie in with the storyline of community and an appreciation of various cultures. The relationship between the two main characters is evident, and the lyrical text brings the message home without didacticism. Back matter includes a recipe. VERDICT This essential story conveys the warmth of community in just one serving. -Lissette Perez-Hernandez

Mazo, Margarita del. El rebaño . illus. by Guridi. 40p. NubeOcho. Apr. 2023. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9788419253255. SP
PreS-Gr 1-Sheep have four primary duties: sightseeing, eating, sleeping, and helping children fall asleep. But one night, when Miguel is trying to doze off, one of the sheep, Cuatro (the only black sheep), opposes her task. It's not for lack of care. Cuatro simply changes her mind and refuses to follow the status quo. As Miguel tries to keep his eyes open, Cuatro receives a mysterious letter that prompts the strong-willed sheep to take a leap. Initially presented as a simple counting picture book in lyrical Spanish, this book has more to offer than meets the eye. The allegory-based plot in first-person narration shows a sheep that does not want to comply with predetermined rules established without her input. Out-of-the-box thinking could lead to the solution that everyone seeks. An open ending will elicit curiosity and reflection from readers. The art is set in a mixture of spreads and single-page illustrations that highlight the main characters, utilizing a green pasture over a white background as a unifying element throughout. The Spanish text is underlined, with some phrases in bold for emphasis. There are lots of opportunities for call and answer here, making this a great choice for a participatory bedtime story time. VERDICT A singular picture book for curious kids who appreciate layers of meaning and reflection in their stories-and just the right amount of silliness. -Kathia Ibacache

Meza, Erika. Valiente como un león. illus. by Erika Meza. 32p. Candlewick. May 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781536225075. SP
K-Gr 2-A little girl learns to be brave with the help of a lion only she is able to see. No matter where she goes, her lion is always there. When she is scared to speak or say sorry, her lion gives her the courage to find her voice. When it is dark at night, her lion protects her. He is there when she needs him most, especially on park adventures. As she climbs the slide that looks taller with every step she takes, her legs start to feel weak. When she looks down, it's decided: she and her lion will stay at the top of the slide until the end of the world! She looks back and sees that her lion is scared, too; she knows she needs to be brave for him. They can be brave together. Up and down, back and forth, they make a great team. This poignant read-aloud will remind readers that they can conquer their fears, whether big or small. The bright and vivid illustrations will enchant and inspire. VERDICT A charming text that all readers can relate to and which will help them find the bravery within. -Melanie Ortega

Ortega, Mirelle. Magia: En una tierra muy lejana. illus. by Mirelle Ortega. 40p. Vintage Español. Apr. 2023. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781644737958. SP
Gr 1-4-A celebration of family and culture that encourages young readers to believe in the magic of their heritage. A narrator shares her love for the pineapple farm owned by her grandfather in Veracruz, Mexico, which has brought their family beauty and happiness. Readers will be drawn into this world through the narrator's engaging first-person perspective. The enchantment of this far-off land permeates every area of her life. From family celebrations to moments of grief, every event is influenced by the power that comes from the land of her ancestors. The lyrical language, rhythmic flow, and rich vocabulary make this a wonderful read-aloud. The narrative has an intimate feel, as if the narrator herself is whispering to readers as they discover the magic in her life. A blue wave threads through the text, casting a glow on every page of the bright pastel and jewel-tone colors. The renderings offer another layer to the story, fleshing it out. Through these pictures, readers learn how the pineapple farm and family remain important despite time and distance. The wonder continues as the narrator grows up and moves to San Francisco where she still appreciates the magic in her life. Diversity within Mexico is represented with different skin tones and hair colors of members of the family. Pineapples can be seen hidden throughout, and touchstones of Mexican culture are highlighted, such as Day of the Dead celebrations, mariachi, piñatas, and banners made of papel picado. A beautiful ode to home that will resonate with children of all ages. A must purchase.- Erika Villaherrera

Rodman, Mary Ann. Un árbol para Emmy. illus. by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. 32p. Peachtree. Jul. 2023. pap. $8.99. ISBN 9781682635476. SP
Gr 1-3-Emmy is a tree lover. She enjoys her days with her grandmother's silk tree, which turns out to be very much like Emmy-tall, stubborn, and a little wild. The little girl decides she wants a wild tree of her own. To her disappointment, they don't sell those kinds of trees at stores. She almost gives up, but eventually, Emmy finds a small shoot of a wild tree and plants it in her own yard. Emmy has white skin and brown hair. The colorful collage art presents each step in her search, sometimes using insets shaped as hearts and always filled with emerald greens. VERDICT A lovely and joyous picture book that highlights overcoming obstacles with determination and patience; it also celebrates the importance of taking care of the environment.- Lissette Perez-Hernandez

Velasquez, Eric. Buscando a Bongo. illus. by Eric Velasquez. 32p. Holiday House. Jun. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780823453993. SP
PreS-Gr 3-A young boy loses his stuffed animal Bongo and searches all around the house asking about him. He asks his mother, father, grandmother, cat, and dog, and no one seems to know where he is. Finally, he finds Bongo near the bongos (a small hand drum used commonly in Caribbean music). The artwork is lively and detailed. Thoughtful attention to detail is seen throughout, with nods to the family's Afro-Caribbean heritage and love for music and art found in the background. The relatable preschooler and his search for his stuffy will resonate with children, and the painterly, realistic illustrations ground the narrative. Soft browns and tans and spots of red add a layer of warmth to the reading experience. Discerning readers might find Bongo before his owner. The family is Black, and the little boy sports an afro. VERDICT Much-needed representation and a universal problem make this sweet, family-centered tale a must for Spanish-language picture book shelves.- Lissette Perez-Hernandez

Vieira Mendes, José Maria. ¿Para qué sirve? tr. from Portuguese by Jacqueline Santos Jimenez. illus. by Madalena Matoso. 64p. Editorial Destellos. May 2023. Tr $16. ISBN 9781958479902. SP
PreS-Gr 2-This philosophical exploration of each item's utility and reason for being will go over adults' heads but make complete sense to inquisitive children. A pink-faced narrator asks, "What is it for?" to an unidentified group of people. "It" refers to simple tools like a paint roller, scissors, and a mirror. The book goes on to identify items that are named by its function, such as nail clippers or toothbrushes. The narrative gets more existential with every page turn. Are there things that have no use? What's the use of a painting or a rhinoceros? Does something have to be useful to have a use? Every few pages, the unnamed narrator recaps the questions and resolutions discussed up until then. Kids will enjoy answering the questions and the discussions that may ensue because of them. The candy-colored illustrations are arresting and fun to look at. The kaleidoscopic landscapes and figures bring to mind Byron Barton's artwork. The figures are childlike, with some characters having rectangles for bodies and others having orange, yellow, or purple skin tones. VERDICT Perfect as a read-aloud or for imagination stretching, this quirky book will make for rich discussions and mind-blowing conclusions.- Shelley M. Diaz

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22 Bilingual and Spanish Picture Books Perfect for Storytime, Read-Alouds, and More

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Rebellious veggies, family stories, bath time fun, and more are featured in this roundup of bilingual and Spanish-language picture books.

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Newsela Hispanic Heritage Month Text Sets

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Newsela Hispanic Heritage Month Text Sets

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Go to Canvas to access Newsela texts sets for Hispanic Heritage Month

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4 Read Alouds and STEM Challenges for Hispanic Heritage Month - Carly and Adam

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*This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on the links and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and it's the perfect time to integrate STEM and literacy to help teach students about diversity in STEM and professional careers.

It's vital to teach about leaders and STEM professionals from all different backgrounds so that our students may understand our diverse culture. We are committed to developing resources for you to use in your classroom that help students see themselves and others making a difference in our communities, regardless of race or gender.

Here are 4 of our favorite STEM Read Aloud activities and challenges for kids to use in your classroom during Hispanic Heritage Month!

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4 Read Alouds and STEM Challenges for Hispanic Heritage Month - Carly and Adam

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This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on the links and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and it's the perfect time to integrate STEM and literacy to help teach students about diversity in

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While we do not have all of these books currently in our library, I can try to track them down for you to use from other locations, or let me know which titles you'd like me to purchase for our own Creekside collection.

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I had so much fun rounding-up this list of fantastic books that celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage. When selecting books I wanted ones that had a celebratory nature and wanted to include at least a few nonfiction stories that highlight amazing individuals and stories as well as fictional books that are fun and highlight different aspects of beautiful culture and tradition.

I also looked for books that would fit for Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. According to the U.S. Census Bureau that includes "the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-Speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean". Therefore, in this book list, you will find books that feature stories and characters from places such as Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Spain and more! They highlight those who would identify as Hispanic as well as Latino. I feel each of these books are a beautiful tribute and hope you love them too.
This post contains affiliate links.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Paola Escobar- This nonfiction book tells the true story of Librarian and Storyteller Pure Belpre. She came to America in 1921 form Puerto Rico and had such a positive impact working as as a bilingual assistant in the New York Pubic Library as well as publishing her own books.

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt De La Pena and Christian Robinson- A beautiful book about wishes and family relationships. I love the how her neighborhood is featured with its local panderia, laundromat, bus stops and more. Plus, the illustrations are beautiful!

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz and Micah Player- Who doesn't love an ice cream man?! In this story a young boy runs through is neighborhood trying to find Paletero Jose to buy some ice cream, but when he arrives he realizes his coins are lost. The ending is so rewarding and sweet (in more ways than one!) and it's a great book.

A Gift from Abuela by Cecilia Ruiz- This book features the bond between a young girl and her abuela and how they love to spend time together and eat pan dulce on the park bench each sundae. However, as time goes on things change. The local currency changes, abuela gets older and Nina doesn't come by as often. I love how in the end they find a way to reconnect and honor their love and friendship.

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell and Rafael Lopez- This book is based on the true story about how Rafael and Candice Lopez brightened up neighborhood in San Diego with art murals that they painted all over alongside the community. Such an inspiring and lovely story.

Our Celebración! by Susan Middleton Ella and Ana Aranda- This book features a big celebracion in the form of (mainly) a colorful, costume filled parade. I love that it includes a lot of Spanish vocabulary centered around celebrations throughout the book and each page really is full of so much joy and is it's own little party.

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez- This book tells the true story about young Teresa Carreno who's family fled Venezuela to the United States due to the revolution. It was during the time of the civil war and her talent with the piano afforded her the wonderful opportunity of playing piano for President Lincoln in the White House.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Falvia Z. Drago- This is a really fun Dia De Los Muertos book that features a friendly but shy ghost who wants badly to make friends. The surprise ending in this book is so heartwarming and it's one that we will read again and again.

Islandborn by Junot Diaz and Leo Espinosa- This beauty is all about a young girl who receives an assignment in class to share where she is from. She doesn't remember anything about the island she was born on and that her family left so she turns to family and friends to learn. This journey helps her learn not only about her heritage, but a lithe bit more about the legacy she is a part of.

Carmen and the House That Gaudí Built by Susan Hughes and Marianne Ferrer- This book mixes fact and fiction as it tells the story about a young girl named Carmen Batlos and how she is hesitant to move from her country home to the city. Spanish architect Gaudi designs their new home and is inspired by nature and Carmen finds the transition easier because of it.

The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung by Samantha R. Vamos and Sebastian Serra- This book is a build-upon story where the text builds and repeats over and over. It features birthday celebration preparations from the piñata to confetti in painted eggshells to a sombrero shaped birthday cake. Love!

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez and Jaime Kim-This is a simple and lovely tribute to heritage and the fact that the places we are from are a part of us. It is sweet, sincere and fantastic. It all starts when a young girl asks her abuelo where she is from.

Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda & His Muse by Alexandria Giardino and Felicita Sala- This nonfiction biography features Pablo Neruda who was a Chilean poet and his wife Matilde who was a folk singer. It is beautifully written and, obviously, beautifully illustrated as well.

Alpaca Pati's Fancy Fleece by Tracey Kyle and Toss Sanchez- This book features an alpaca that lives in the Andes Mountains of Peru. She is very fond of her fleece and when shearing time comes is very reluctant to share it. However, she learns about all the wonderful things that llama fleece is used for and feels ready to share. I love the use of Spanish words throughout and how the end of the book includes glossary, an authors note about the resource of alpaca fleece and fun facts about alpacas!

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal- I adore this book! In the beginning Alma questions her father as to why her name is so long and wonders if it "fits her". Her father explains the story of how she got her name and each of the beloved family members that she inherited names from. It gives her a new appreciation for her name and inspiration to make her own story with it.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez- This book is written for all the children who may feel apprehensive about the first day of school because of the things about them that make them different. It includes a young boy named Rigoberto who just moved from Venezuela and is nervous about all the changes he is facing. It is a beautiful and celebratory book for all cultures and I love it.

El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera and Juliana Perdomo- If I understand correctly a cucuy is a Mexican equivilant of "the boogie man". In this story a young boy consults the cucuy about his fears for the first day of school and they reassure each other about how brave they really are. (Especially because the boy is no longer afraid of the cucuy as he used to be.)

Holy Squawkamole!: Little Red Hen Makes Guacamole by Susan Wood and Laura Gonzalez- This book is a fun retelling of The Little Red Hen, only with a new flair. In this story she is making guacamole instead of bread and there is a surprising twist to the end that is bound to make young readers giggle as well as bring home the message of this classic tale a little more.

Dia de Los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros- This book teaches all about the holiday of Dia De Los Muertos. The illustrations and text are super celebratory and it's a party to read.

If Dominican Were a Color by Sili Recio and Brianna McCarthy- This book celebrated the Dominican Republic with simple, yet meaningful text and vibrant illustrations. It pays wonderful tribute and is a book we'd definitely recommend.

Bisa's Carnaval by Joana Pastro and Carolina Coroa- This book is a fun, brief introduction to the celebration of Carnaval. It tells of how a young girl makes preparations with her grandmother, but doesn't feel right marching in the parade without her, so she brings the celebration home to her grandmother so they can all celebrate together. It is a sweet and happy book that is full of color and fun.

One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers (Learn to Count Books, Numbers Books for Kids, Preschool Numbers Book) by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and John Parra- This is a simple counting primer that celebrates culture with each number it introduces and includes Spanish words throughout. If you like this one, definitely look up the companion books as well! (There is one for shapes and another one for colors!)

A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy and Ana Ramirez Gonzalez- Gabo has a strong desire to make new friends and go sledding, but has a few issues with his snow gear. However, a loving community rallies around him and helps encourage him with solutions and kindness.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales- This is a fun twist on a counting book as it features an abuela and how she cheats death in a clever and humorous way. It is a delight to read and has the best illustrations.

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina and Sonia Sanchez- This story highlights the process of packing-up to move and saying goodbye between two best friends. It is sweet and heartfelt. It is a wonderful tribute to "major amigas" everywhere.

What Will You Be? by Yamile Saied Mendez and Kate Alizadeh- This book is a celebration ion the potential that every child holds and the many choices and paths waiting for them in live. It also highlights a sweet bond between an abuela and her grandchild. It is a stunning and inspiring book.

Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurenne Sala and Zara González Hoang- In this book a young girl introduces us to her home, family and daily life with both the Spanish and English language. It is a wonderful, bilingual book that is very well done and relatable for young children.
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25+ Books that Celebrate Hispanic & Latino Heritage · Book Nerd Mommy

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I had so much fun rounding-up this list of fantastic books that celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage.

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Also includes suggested activities, discussions, or writing prompts with each short story

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Meaningful Texts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

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Celebrating students' heritage and opening doors to other cultures can provide some of the most meaningful lessons in the classroom. Hispanic Heritage Month spans from September 15  through October 15 and provides students the opportunity to learn about the achievements and contributions of inspiring Hispanic Americans. Help build students' writing

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Practice analyzing infographics

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Explore the website or take the virtual tour

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National Museum of the American Latino | Home

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The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino enriches our understanding of the Latino experience and the United States.

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Analyze portraits of Hispanic Americans who shaped the history, development, and culture of the United States.

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Hispanic Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery

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Meet the Hispanic Americans who shaped the history, development, and culture of the United States of America. Use this collection to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and embrace Hispanic voices in...

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Specific song lists available through teachers pay teachers, but you could also make your own brackets by finding songs from each country or different Latinx musicians and artists.

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Inside: Hispanic Heritage Month Music Madness. A music bracket for Spanish class to mix up the fall and celebrate the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
Why Music for Hispanic Heritage Month?

You all know I have been posting about using authentic music in Spanish class for years. It goes way back to my original ideas of música miércoles & baile viernes in 2014, as well as the very popular yearly March music bracket mania musical.

Early in my career as a Spanish teacher, I realized I need to do a better job celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in my Spanish classes. It is a great time to specifically celebrate the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. I did a post with a lot of ideas for HHM here Hispanic Heritage Month, but was on maternity leave the entirety of September 15-October 15 when I posted it.

One Song From Each Spanish-Speaking County

While on maternity leave in the fall of 2016, I created a popular resource, 1 Song from each Spanish-speaking country. It has 22 songs, one for each of the school days from September 15-October 15. My original idea was to play one song each day of HHM. That would give the chance to specifically focus on each country. But, the next year with I used HHM version 2, I decided to use it as a Hispanic Heritage Month music bracket.

When I posted about my HHM fall Spanish class music bracket on social media, the idea took off. Many teachers started using my 1 song from each Spanish-speaking country slide as a bracket in their classrooms. Since then, I have created a new version each school year including version #3, 2019 version #4 & the 2020 version #5, HHM6 version for 2021, HHM7 for 2022 & The NEWEST 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Music Resource!

Which HHM Music Bracket Set should I get?

Money Saving Bundle - You can now also get all 9 HHM music sets for a deal. This is a growing bundle and the best possible deal if you want diverse music to use all year long. All versions have a mix of classic songs and current hits. But, how do you pick which version to use for this fall?

The 2023 Fall HHM Bracket - The NEWEST 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Music Resource (on TPT) has the most up-to-date music. This will be the version that many teachers will be using for fall 2023. The brackets do not need to be done in any kind of order or start with version 1. You can start this year for the first time with the newest HHM8 version (also available in my store) for the most diverse music selection yet.

Young Students - By request, if you teach younger students or at a more conservative school, check out YOUNG 1 song from each country instead! It has a mix of my most appropriate songs from HHM1-6. Or get all young music brackets together here in this Young Music Bracket Bundle

How can I use this 1 song from each country slideshow for HHM?

Here are ideas of how you can use these songs this year, from the least time commitment to the most.

0 class time - Song of the day Transition for Hispanic Heritage Month

My English teacher BFF next door picks one song each day to play loudly in her room during our four-minute passing time. She writes the song and artist on the board and plays it as soon as the bell to end class rings. As soon as the bell to start class rings (or the song ends), the song is turned off and no instructional time is used. Her students are VERY into it and come to check the song before they even have class. This would work great for Hispanic Heritage Month, playing HHM8 version for 2023 each day. I bet the tradition will continue after October 15 as well 🙂

3-5 minutes - Para Empezar Class Starter

Use the first 3-5 minutes of each class during HHM to play a 1 song for Para Empezar. You can quickly mention where the song is from, using a map to show where in the world it is. Depending on the level, you can also evaluate the song, from a basic "(no)me gusta" in level 1, to a more elaborate critique in upper levels. Or you can use the free voting form to have students self-reflect on the song of the day.

3-5 minutes Cantaninja Brain Break

Using Martina Bex's Cantaninja procedure, you can have a student pick when during each class the song is played. They yell Cantaninja! and everyone stops what they are doing to watch the song of the day. (Usually, that person picks the song, but during this month you could just play the next song). If you would rather have more control over when your brain breaks, just plan to play this song at a good breaking point. If using it as a brain break, I would let students walk around, dance, and move, just as long as they are watching and listening.

6-10 minutes - Country of the day - adding in travel videos too - NEW

By request, in addition to playing a song each day, some teachers wanted to do more to introduce each country of the day. I created slides that have the country, capital, nationality, two maps, flag, and a video for all 22 Spanish-speaking places. You could combine it with your song of the day slideshow to really dig deeper into each place for Hispanic Heritage Month. *Update get the newest 2023 country slides in my shop or on TPT. Learn more about using these travel slides in this blog post.

Or if you want multiple options for each country, you could get the culture slides bundle.

NEW - Chat about Music

If you want to chat about these songs in Spanish, check out the new blog post Talk About Music in Spanish Class. Use these New Music Question Cards to chat about music and to discuss songs you listen to. They would work well in later rounds of your bracket when you want to mix it up.

Country of the day - dig deeper

If you have more time to dedicate to Hispanic Heritage Month, you could go even deeper. In addition to playing your song of each day and travel video each day of HHM could be dedicated to a different country. You could bring in guest speakers, food, research, dance, and use other elements of culture.

One idea is to split up the countries or artists/groups of each song, and have students do some research on the song, artist, country, etc. These could be shared around the room gallery walk style, or even in the hall or somewhere in the school, to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month school-wide.

Hispanic Heritage Month music bracket in Spanish class

How the Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket started

The idea of an HHM bracket credit goes to the awesome Sarah Whisenhunt. When she got version 2, she told me she had a head-to-head playoff/bracket in mind for version 2 songs vs. version 1 songs. So the OG HHM Music bracket idea actually included 44 songs, 2 songs from each country.

Since I was gone during HHM in 2016 on maternity leave in 2017 I decided to do a Hispanic Heriatage music bracket. But for the sake of time only used 1 song per country. The lack of symmetry got the best of me with 22 songs competing. No, it is not an even match for every song. Yes, my board looked like packman. No, I did not allow enough space for this board and everything was crunched.

The OG Fall Music Bracket Bulletin Board

To be efficient, instead of putting all of the song titles as I do during March madness, I just reused Spanish-speaking country signs that I already had in my filing cabinet (yeah hoarding!) that I am pretty sure came from this unit. I wanted it to put more of an emphasis on the songs' related country. The all orange country bulletin board below was the 1st annual Mis Clases Locas Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket.

We watched 2 videos per day and had all classes' votes combined to decide who moved on. We started September 15 and using just one slideshow, there were 20 matchups. The students LOVED the fall music bracket and it became a yearly tradition after that.

How to set up your own Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket Bulletin Board

Above was my bracket for 2018 (& my later versions look basically the same!) I got new country posters from Miss Maestra Cassie, whom she generously shared for all future HHM brackets. The country labels are on the instructions page of each slideshow.

Print the included country labels on colored cardstock. To make it more colorful, I made each page a different color, but you could make them all the same color if you prefer.

Put the country labels up first. I like to use a ruler to try and make things symmetrical.

Make the bracket. Depending on what surface you are putting the bracket on skinny colored duct or masking tape works best. I have also used colored cardstock strips of paper stapled to the board in a pinch to make a bracket.

Print the country labels small (I do 4 sets of 4 to a page) for later rounds. I print them all right away and then have it as a student job in the last class to staple up the winner.

No time or space for a bulletin board?

During fall of 2020 I added a new digital Google Slides bracket to each slideshow. This way teachers could use the bracket for virtual learning. Or you can just project the bracket instead of having to make a bulletin board. This is a great option for traveling teachers without a classroom.

How to use the Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket?

Pick 1 song from each country slideshow to use. Each year I used the newest 1 song from each country slideshow. HHM8 version for 2023 or YOUNG 1 song from each country

The basic idea is to listen to one pair of songs each day. All of my classes always voted together to see who moved on. We typically started class with our songs. On occasions like the day of an assessment, we might have waited and used it as a brain break or at the end of class.

Introduce the 1st song and country. In Spanish, I introduce the 1st country, song, artist, and nationality. Then we watch the 1st video. Depending on how much time we have, we might discuss the song as a class and how we feel about it. (Or some people wait & do more discussion in later rounds)

We repeat this for song two, introducing the song and watching the video.

Vote - We typically just voted by a raise of hands and tally. I do have a free voting form if you need more accountability and each student to write. You could collect votes as a quick exit ticket. I also used Google forms for students to vote while we were Hybrid. Google form voting also works well in later rounds if you run out of time to watch the videos again as a class.

What about later rounds in the Spanish class music bracket?

Many teachers have different variations of what they do each round of a music bracket. For example, I know a teacher whose round 1 only plays the audio, in round 2 play the video, and then in later rounds does other activities with the song like these New Music Question Cards. See this blog post for song activity ideas.

Personally, I always start round 1 with the introduction of the song and the music videos. There is so much culture to be found in a music video. Especially when the goal is learning more about diverse countries and people, I find the videos to be important. The first round always takes me longer, so make sure you allow for about 10 minutes of class the 1st 2 weeks or 10 matchups.

In later rounds, depending on how much time you have, you can either move faster, or you can dig deeper.

If you run out of time, later rounds could consist of you posting a Google Form with videos included for students to watch and vote on their own time or for homework.

If you want to dig deeper pick one of the song activity ideas to do each of the following rounds. For example, if the song has a zumba dance that goes with it, project and dance along. Once you get to the final 4 or championship, hype it up by learning about the artist, or enjoying food from that country. Or New Music Question Cards to support an interpersonal activity or assessment.

Optional Handout - Sra Penaranda created a student handout for students to fill out about each song. You can get it here for free.

If you use my bracket, please share pictures and tag me on social media so I can see who is winning!

How do I get the newest Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket?

Want more details on how to use the Hispanic Heritage Music bracket? Watch this video &/or the Youtube video below about what to do with a song & music brackets.

Want more music? Free Music Slides

Sign up below & they will be emailed to you

This post was originally published on 9.6.17 by Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas and was most recently updated 8.28.23.

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Inside: Hispanic Heritage Month Music Madness. A music bracket for Spanish class to mix up the fall and celebrate the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Why Music for Hispanic Heritage Month? You all know I have been posting about using authentic music in Spanish class for years.

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Analyze the data shown in this infographic

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Reading Passages, Interviews, and Writing Prompts

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Reading Passages, Interviews, and Writing Prompts

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Learn about three famous Latino Americans and how they overcame obstacles. Includes reading passages, interviews, and writing prompts

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Latino Americans Share Their Experiences | PBS LearningMedia

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Students examine the challenges that three Latino Americans faced and overcame as they achieved success in their careers. This interactive lesson introduces students to playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor Judy Reyes, and astronaut José Hernández through interviews from MARIA HINOJOSA: ONE-ON-ONE.

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Test your knowledge of famous Latino and Latin
American authors, musicians, artists, leaders, scientists,
and athletes who have made important contributions

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10 question quiz with Hispanic Heritage Month trivia