Read Globally: 14 Beautiful Books That Introduce Mexican Culture and History to Kids
by Devon A. Corneal
Mexico shares a 1,933-mile border with the United States and the flow of people between our two countries has given rise to a glorious interplay of language, food, and tradition. These stories from and inspired by our southern neighbor highlight the incredible and myriad facets of Mexican culture. From picture books to middle grade novels, we’ve found wonderful tales of Mexican traditions that we hope your entire family will enjoy.
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Picture Books
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Niño Wrestles the World
Girls aren’t the only ones who can be part of the world of lucha libre — Niño can take on any opponent with ease. Bring on the sisters, the Guanajuato Mummy, and even some Spanish vocabulary!
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Sopa de frijoles/Bean Soup
Mexican food has a long and delicious history — from warm tortillas to filling bean soup to vibrant guacamole. In this story, Jorge Argueta brings one of these these beloved dishes to life through poetry and easy-to-follow recipes. Argueta’s other titles include Guacamole, Arroz con leche/Rice Pudding, and Tomalitos.
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What Can You Do With a Paleta?/¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta?
Available from:I’ve never had a paleta, but after reading this story, I really, really, really want one of these frozen fruity Mexican popsicles. One of the joys of learning about other cultures is appreciating the myriad flavors of traditional dishes (including, of course, desserts!), and I’m definitely putting one of these on my must-try list.
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The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes
Great stories not only entertain, they also help make sense of the world around us. So it is with The Princess and the Warrior, which recounts the legendary love between a Princess named Izta and a warrior named Popoca, and also tells how their intense feelings created two very different volcanoes.
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Diego
Available from:This biography of the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is told in both Spanish and English, exposing young readers to the beauty not only of Rivera’s art but also of his native tongue.
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Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Skeletons and skulls often make an appearance in Mexican art, but they aren’t meant to frighten, per se. Rather, on Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), skeletons, or calaveras, can be found doing all sorts of things thanks to artist and creator José Guadalupe Posada.
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The Dead Family Díaz
I’ve always thought about the Mexican Day of the Dead from my perspective — you know, as a living person. But I’d never thought to think about things from the skeleton’s point of view. Until I read The Dead Family Diaz, that is. When Angelito gets separated from his skeleton family in the Land of the Living, his only hope is a very squishy, very alive boy.
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Just a Minute! A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
This is a classic trickster tale, with clever Grandma Beetle stalling Death’s invitation to “Come Along” with him by inventing a very long list of chores that absolutely have to get done before she can go anywhere. Kids will enjoy Grandma’s creativity and will learn to count to 10 in Spanish too!
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The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote
Available from:The trickster tale tradition continues with this story of sneaky Rabbit and the tricks he plays on unsuspecting Coyote. A fun story that also explains why coyotes howl at the moon.
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Sing, Don’t Cry
Immigrant families are often separated by great distances, so family visits are rare and cherished. When Abuelo comes to visit from Mexico, he pulls out his guitar and urges everyone, “Sing, don’t cry.” Inspired by the author’s grandfather and his visits to her as a child, Sing, Don’t Cry is a celebration of music and memory and, most important, family.
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Middle Grade
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The First Rule of Punk
Available from:Being different is hard no matter who you are, but things are not looking good for Malú on her first day of school. She’s made a popular girl mad and her punk style violates the school’s dress code. Malú doesn’t know how she’ll survive the year, until she finds a group of friends as unique as she is and who are willing to fight to be themselves.
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Return to Sender
Available from:In this touching story, two families forced together in crisis forge new and unexpected bonds of friendship and respect. When Tyler’s family hires migrant Mexican workers, including Mari’s dad, to help save their farm, two very different cultures come together to change everyone involved.
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Who Was Frida Kahlo?
Available from:Although Frida Kahlo struggled with physical ailments for most of her life, her art was an explosion of color, refusing to be constrained. Known for her sizable eyebrows and extraordinary love for her native Mexico, Kahlo is an artist for the ages.
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What the Moon Saw
Available from:Clara has lived her entire life in the United States. She’s never visited Mexico, where her father was born, until now. Clara’s grandparents have invited her to spend the summer with them, and Clara is about to discover just how different their rural home is, and how much there is to learn from her family and heritage.
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Have other favorite Mexican authors or stories? Please share them in the comments!