Little Faces in The Mirror of a Book

I’ve come con las manos abiertas [with open hands] to ask you un gran favor. Please buy a Latino children’s book to read your children, your nietos o sobrinos—and no, it doesn’t have to be my children’s book (though it would be nice).


If you read this article in The New York Times, you will understand why I’m asking you—no, begging you, amigas, to help me and my fellow Latina bloggers send a loud ¡grito! to those big New York-based publishers: Latino children’s books are not just a good investment, but the right thing to do.

They say that we do not buy books for our children.

Much less read to them.

How can we convince them that it simply not the case?

We open up our wallets and buy a book.

A book to read to our little ones at night antes que se van a dormir.

And introduce them to a story-friend who looks just like them.

And acts like them.

Someone who talks the way they do.

Who laughs at the same things.

Whose family is just like theirs.

And whose dreams are their dreams, too.

They might eat tamales.

Or prefer habichuelas.

Arroz con pollo just might be their thing.

And even a pupusa or two.

Let them see their reflection through the magic mirror of a book.

So go buy one!

Adios, chiquita. And thank you!

Three of My Favorite Latino Children’s Books

This LA-born girl has a real soft spot for the children of migrant farm workers. That NY Times article called them stereotypical characters. I call them real children, whose hard-working parents harvest almost every single fruit and vegetable we put into our mouths. Here are some books that tell of their experience. Please click on the titles to buy.

The Circuit

By Francisco Jiménez

Domitila—A Cinderella Tale From The Mexican Tradition

Adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn

and last and most certainly least,

The Pumpkin Moon Empanadas

By Clementina Llanes

(shameless plug!)

Check out the links below and find out how you can support Latino Children's Literature:

Latina Bloggers Respond: Void in Latino Children Literature (click here)

Yes, Latinos Do Buy Books: 3 Things You Can Do To Make a Difference (click here)

Where is the Latino Children's Literature? (click here)

Latina Bloggers React: Not Enough Hispanic Authors, Books Due to Publishing Industry (click here)

An Open Letter to an Elementary School Librarian (click here)

To Boost Reading Skills Latino Children Need More Than Books They Identify With (click here)

Latina Bloggers React: We Need More (click here)