Books with Latino Characters

Last updated: September 13, 2026

From fun and fanciful picture books to historical fiction, fantasy, biography, romance, science fiction, and coming-of-age tales, these books show Latin American 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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I’m So Happy You’re Here book cover: Diverse kids wave from around the book shelves as a librarian stands front and center, holding a stack of books

BOOK

I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy

age 3+

Enthusiastic ode to joy and belonging at the public library.

Mychal Threets Picture Book (2026)

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Leila the Perfect Witch book cover: A smiling Leila holds a black cauldron with purple smoke rising from it; a green frog looks up at her with a smile

BOOK

Leila, the Perfect Witch: The World of Gustavo, Book 2

age 3+

A magical celebration of unique abilities and individuality.

Flavia Z. Drago 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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Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race book cover: Children of diverse skin colors stand around a large speech bubble containing the book title

BOOK

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

age 3+

Well-done picture book gives kids tools for discussing race.

Megan Madison , Jessica Ralli 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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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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Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa book cover: Balding man, flanked by pinkish flowers, examines potato up close beneath title and subtitle

BOOK

Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa

age 4+

Great art shows quest of quirky Peruvian potato scientist.

Sara Fajardo Picture Book (2025)

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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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Carmela Full of Wishes Poster Image

BOOK

Carmela Full of Wishes

age 4+

Sweet, poignant story of young girl from immigrant family.

Matt de la Peña Picture Book (2018)

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