PowellsBooks.Blog
Authors, readers, critics, media − and booksellers.

To celebrate this year's National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked our new book buyers and kids' book experts, Kim T. and Madeline S., to pull together a list of kids' books that celebrate Hispanic history and culture. On this list, you'll find suns and moons, libraries and dance halls, fantastical questions and fun birds. Great books to read this month; great books to read all year-round!!

This charmingly illustrated bilingual board book pair, from Spanish author Marti and illustrator Salomó, is a delightful bookend to baby’s day! Bright colors and pull-tabs are sure to entertain ages 0-3. — Madeline S.

Planting Stories tells the true tale of Pura Teresa Belpré who moved from Puerto Rico in 1921 to New York City, eventually took a job as a bilingual librarian’s assistant as the first Puerto Rican librarian there. Now each year, the American Library Association Awards recognizes outstanding works of children’s literature by Latinx authors and illustrators with the Pura Belpré Award. Wonderfully told by Anika Aldamuy Denise with charming illustrations by Columbian artist Paola Escobar, this picture book biography is great for ages four and up. — Kim T.

In Danza, Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of Amalia Hernández, dancer and founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. Founded in 1952, the dance company grew from 8 to 60 performers in seven years and Hernández choreographed over 60 dances which gained national recognition. Tonatiuh’s signature pre-Columbian art style is a visual treat which honors this Mexican performing arts pioneer. A perfect picture book biography for ages six and up. — Kim T.

This bilingual picture book, beautiful illustrated by Paloma Valdivia, is full-to-bursting with fantastical questions pulled from Neruda’s poem, “The Book of Questions.” Questions like “How old is November” and “Where does your rainbow end, in your soul or on the horizon?” will have anyone who reads it looking at the world with fresh eyes. Great for ages 5 and up. — Kelsey F.

Reminiscent of Award-winning author Raúl the Third’s own childhood between El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico finds Little Lobo and his friends crossing the bridge with a truck full of party supplies and, after being stuck in traffic, decide it’s the perfect place for a party! Fun and detailed illustrations with Spanish sprinkled in the text makes this a great read for ages four and up. — Kim T.

In this fantastical (and fantastic) stand-alone from award-winning author Pam Muñoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising / Esperanza Renace), Max longs to find the gatekeeper from his grandfather’s stories, who he’s sure can guide him on a journey to tomorrow, help him join the fútbol team, and find out why his mother really left when he was a baby. A heartfelt adventure for ages 9 and up, set in the fictional country of Santa Maria. Available in English and in Spanish. — Madeline S.

Portland author Aiden Thomas (Lost in the Never Woods, Cemetery Boys) is bringing all my favorite YA things in this duology opener: rich mythology, perilous competitive trials, teen drama, witty banter, found family, joyful queerness, and dazzling worldbuilding. Plus, if that wasn’t enough, there are so many fun birds. More YA books should have fun birds. — Sarah R.

For more from Aiden Thomas, you can read his original essay, "Being Seen," that we were lucky enough to publish on our blog.

This short story anthology is the perfect read for anyone ages 13+ looking for a scare! With contributions from both beloved and upcoming Latin American YA authors (including Julia Alvarez, the Moulite sisters, and Lilliam Rivera) and edited by Puerto Rican Ortiz and Argentine-American Méndez (who received a Belpré Honor in 2021 for Furia), this collection is not to be missed! — Madeline S.