September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month! During this month, we celebrate the rich and influential traditions, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States.
In honor of the legacy of Hispanic and Latino Americans, and the fact that the beautiful Spanish language is so widespread in our country, we want to share some of our bilingual and Spanish titles. We love having these books for our Spanish-speaking readers, and we hope you enjoy them! ¡Esperamos que te gusta estos libros!
Spanish Titles
Martina una cucarachita muy linda: Un cuento cubano
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Michael Austin
Martina the beautiful cockroach wants to pick the right suitor to marry, but how? Abuela, her Cuban grandmother, gives her un consejo increíble, some shocking advice: put those suitors to the test with a little café cubano. One by one they fail until only the gardener Pérez, a tiny brown mouse, is left. Will he win her leg in marriage?
Un colchón de plumas para Agata
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Laura L. Seeley
Agatha owns a weaving shop in Manhattan and likes to answer the questions of children who want to know the source of her beautiful fabrics.
“Everything comes from something,” she says, “nothing comes from nothing.”
But she does not seem to think about where her brand new feather bed came from. That is, until six cranky, cold, naked geese come knocking. In a delightful O. Henry-inspired ending, Agatha arrives at a solution that benefits them all, teaching readers to understand how to use resources responsibly.
La gallinita de la pradera
by Jackie Mims Hopkins
illustrated by Henry Cole
Mary McBlicken hears a rumble and is sure a stampede’s a comin’! She sets off to warn Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan, gathering up her friends along the way. Before they can get there, though, the band of prairie critters gets tricked by a mean Coyote and trapped in his evil den. Will the friends escape in time? And where is that rumbling really coming from?
14 Vacas para América
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
This New York Times Bestseller is a true story of hope and generosity, and the gift a small Kenyan village makes to the people of America after the September 11 attacks. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope—and friendship.
Miguel y su valiente caballero: El joven Cervantes sueña a don Quijote
by Margarita Engle
illustrated by Raúl Colón
translated by Teresa Mlawer and Georgina Lázaro
This fictionalized first-person biography in verse of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra follows the early years of the child who grows up to pen Don Quixote, the first modern novel. Award-winning author Margarita Engle’s distinctive picture book depiction of the childhood of the father of the modern novel, told in a series of free verse poems, is enhanced by Raúl Colón’s stunning illustrations.
Bilingual Titles
Stripes of All Types / Rayas de todas las tallas
by Susan Stockdale
Bouncy, alliterative rhyme and gorgeous illustrations introduce readers to a wide range of striped animals. An afterword provides more information about each featured animal and where it lives, and explains the role its stripes play. Readers can test their knowledge of animal stripes with a fun matching game at the end!
Several of books in our About… Series, written by educator and author Cathryn Sill and by naturalist John Sill, are now available in both English and Spanish for young explorers who are learning a new language.
About Birds: A Guide for Children / Sobre los pájaros: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
Learn about the life of birds, from egg to flight, in this thoughtful examination of the species.
About Mammals: A Guide for Children / Sobre los mamíferos: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
So many animals are mammals! But are all animals mammals? Questions are answered and new facts discovered in the pages of this bilingual nature guide.
About Insects: A Guide for Children / Sobre los insectos: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
Creepy, crawly, spindly things are actually rather interesting when you get close enough to them. Backyard naturalists will love having this as a reference during their outdoor adventures.
About Reptiles: A Guide for Children / Sobre los reptiles: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
Take a colorful and informative first glimpse into the diverse world of reptiles with this thoughtful guide for young readers.
About Amphibians: A Guide for Children / Sobre los anfibios: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
Learn about what amphibians are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. With beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of amphibians, from frogs and toads to salamanders and more.
About Fish: A Guide for Children / Sobre los peces: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill
This beginner’s guide offers a first glimpse into the diverse natural world of fish, from an Arctic char to a Porcupine fish.
Look for these titles and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!