Books with Latino Characters

Last updated: June 30, 2026

From fun and fanciful picture books to historical fiction, fantasy, biography, romance, science fiction, and coming-of-age tales, these books show Latino and Latina characters in various national and cultural contexts. They're great reads during Hispanic Heritage Month and any time of year. For more Latino stories, you can also check out our Bilingual Books list and our Spanish-language content on Common Sense Latino.

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¡Felicidades!: A Celebration with Shapes Book Cover: Three young Mexican children play at a birthday party

BOOK

¡Felicidades!: A Celebration with Shapes

age 2+

Fun bilingual birthday book is a celebration of shapes.

Duncan Tonatiuh Picture Book (2024)

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border Poster Image

BOOK

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

age 3+

Heartwarming Christmas story set at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mitali Perkins Picture Book (2019)

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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music Poster Image

BOOK

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

age 3+

Gorgeous, magical story of a girl with music in her heart.

Margarita Engle Picture Book (2015)

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Book cover: Latina girl blows out candles at birthday party

BOOK

El cumpleaños de mi hermana Dulce/ My Sister Dulce's Birthday

age 3+

Sweet birthday tale shows Mexican traditions, piñata.

Erika Said Picture Book (2022)

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Gustavo, the Shy Ghost Poster Image

BOOK

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: The World of Gustavo, Book 1

age 3+

A ghostly sweet tale of courage and friendship.

Flavia Z. Drago Picture Book (2020)

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I Am La Chiva! book cover: Vintage bus bursts with people, food, plants, and animals with Andes Mountains in background

BOOK

I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes

age 3+

Energetic, rhyming tale of colorful bus' trip in the Andes.

Karol Hernández Picture Book (2024)

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Mama's Panza book cover: Brown-skined mother with black hair holds her toddler son in her arms

BOOK

Mamá's Panza

age 3+

Body-positive story about a boy's love for mom's belly.

Isabel Quintero Picture Book (2024)

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Nosotros Means Us: A Bilingual Story Poster Image

BOOK

Nosotros Means Us: A Bilingual Story

age 3+

A heartfelt ode to the bond between mother and child.

Paloma Valdivia Picture Book (2021)

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Skeletina and the Greedy Tooth Fairy book cover: 2 girls ride giant horsefly, old woman carries a bag, followed by many mice

BOOK

Skeletina and the Greedy Tooth Fairy

age 3+

Fun story about honesty and bravery set in dreamland.

Susie Jaramillo Picture Book (2023)

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Cartoonish skeleton girl on a swing with ghosts

BOOK

Skeletina and the In-Between World

age 3+

Kind story of dealing with worries has great illustrations.

Susie Jaramillo Picture Book (2022)

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Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire book cover: Vlad with rosy cheeks, black cloak lined with glittery pink fabric; mannequin in skirt and jacket behind him

BOOK

Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire: The World of Gustavo, Book 3

age 3+

A colorful tale of self-acceptance and creative expression.

Flavia Z. Drago Picture Book (2024)

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A Flicker of Hope book cover: Illustration of Mexican dad and daughter hold hands, monarch butterflies fly all around

BOOK

A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration

age 4+

Lovely, parallel stories of migration, monarch butterflies.

Cynthia Harmony Picture Book (2023)

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A Maleta Full of Treasures book cover: Abuela and granddaughter sit on pillow and explore the treasures inside her suitcase

BOOK

A Maleta Full of Treasures

age 4+

Heartwarming tale, sweet reunion, love that knows no miles.

Natalia Sylvester Picture Book (2024)

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A Song of Frutas Poster Image

BOOK

A Song of Frutas

age 4+

Poetic street vendor tale highlights connection to roots.

Margarita Engle Picture Book (2021)

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Abuelita's Gift book cover: Julieta and Abuela, both in white flowing dresses, dance together

BOOK

Abuelita's Gift: A Día de Muertos Story

age 4+

A beautiful tale of remembrance, Mexican culture.

Mariana Ríos Ramírez Picture Book (2024)

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All the Way to Havana Poster Image

BOOK

All the Way to Havana

age 4+

Celebration of Cuban family and ingenuity has gorgeous art.

Margarita Engle Picture Book (2017)

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Crack Goes the Cascarón book cover: Young boy jumps midair as Latino family laughs amidst confetti shower

BOOK

Crack Goes the Cascarón

age 4+

Whimsical story celebrates family and cultural traditions.

Sara Andrea Fajardo Picture Book (2025)

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Desert Song book cover: Home in the Texas desert

BOOK

Desert Song

age 4+

Lush, musical celebration of family, nature, and memory.

Laekan Zea Kemp Picture Book (2024)

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Five Words That Are Mine book cover: Mexican-American girl with hair in two braids carries her skateboard on her shoulders

BOOK

Five Words That Are Mine

age 4+

Skater girl's triumphant journey to self-discovery.

Melissa Seron Richardson Picture Book (2024)

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Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña Poster Image

BOOK

Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña

age 4+

Colorful bilingual book about the Galápagos Islands.

Marsha Diane Arnold Picture Book (2018)

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