Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 through October 15 and recognizes the achievements and contributions of Latin American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. This year, we’re highlighting Latinx authors and illustrators whose work inspires and educates young readers across the Commonwealth and around the country. Join us in celebrating!
BAKE A TRES LECHES CAKE WITH AUTHOR NONIEQA RAMOS
To kick things off, watch our new video, Mack’s Corner with NoNieqa Ramos, featuring the author of 2021 Kirkus Prize finalist picture book, Your Mama, baking up a storm. You can also learn more about Your Mama, which was our 2021 Great Reads selection, by clicking here.
RECOMMENDED READING
To help you build your own reading list and discover other great titles for young readers of all ages, we reached out to a few Virginia authors and illustrators to ask them about favorite books that they’d recommend for you to explore…
Andrea Beatriz Arango, author of Iveliz Explains It All (forthcoming), recommends:
- Definitely Dominguita series by Terry Catasús Jennings
- The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
- Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz
- Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer de Leon
Angela Dominguez, author of the Stella Díaz series and I’m Hungry! / ¡Tengo Hambre!, recommends:
- Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrated by Paola Escobar
- Merci Suárez Can’t Dance and the Merci Suárez series by Meg Medina
- Your Heart, My Sky: Love in a Time of Hunger by Margarita Engle
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Terry Catasús Jennings, author of the Definitely Dominguita series and The Little House of Hope, recommends:
- Fat Chance Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
- Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp
- Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
- Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs
- Into the Tall, Tall Grass by Loriel Ryon
- Missing Okalee by Laura Ojeda Melchor
- Your Mama (illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara) and Hair Story (illustrated by Keisha Morris) by NoNieqa Ramos
- Isabel and Her Colores Go To School by Alexandra Alessandri and illustrated by Courtney Dawson
Juana Medina, author/illustrator of Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes; I Will!: A Book of Promises, and illustrator of ‘Twas the Night Before Pride, recommends:
- Bright Star by Yuyi Morales
- ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third and colors by Elaine Bay
- Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
- The Creature of Habit written by Jennifer E. Smith and illustrated by Leo Espinosa
NoNieqa Ramos, author of Your Mama, Hair Story, and Beauty Woke, recommends:
- Let’s Salsa / Bailemos Salsa (illustrated by Robert Casilla) and The Battle of the Snow Cones / La Guerra de las Raspas (illustrated by Alisha Gambino) by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
- Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers by Juliet Menéndez
- A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno by Anika Aldumay Denise and illustrated by Leo Espinosa
- Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua by Gloria Amescua and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Pelé, King of Soccer / Pelé, El Rey de Futból by Monica Brown and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
- Run, Little Chaski!: An Inka Trail Adventure by Mariana Llanos and illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson
- Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana López and illustrated by Teresa Martinez
- Bella’s Recipe for Success by Ana Siqueira and illustrated by Geraldine Rodríguez
- The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante
- The Resolutions by Mia García
- Our Shadows Have Claws edited by Amparo Ortiz (Blazewrath Games) and Yamile Saied Méndez (Furia)
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