Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
To help Cleveland teachers bring the rich culture of Hispanic American history into your classroom now and throughout the year, Cleveland Schools Book Fund offers a variety of Hispanic authors and themed books, including many bilingual books. We recommend the following titles, which are available for a home library building, so each of your students can receive a paperback copy of their own. Click here for details about how to receive free copies of these books for your PreK – 4 grade Cleveland Metropolitan School District students.
A book of seasons (Bilingual) / El libro de las estaciones
By Alice Y Marten Provensen
Recommended Grade Level: PreK – 3
Invite your students to notice the changes happening this time of year through easy-to-read descriptions of the continuously changing seasons. Each page is accompanied by illustrations of fun and familiar activities that children can readily understand. Simple Spanish sentences are followed by English sentences on the same page.
Abuela
By Arthur Dorros
Recommended Grade Level: PreK – 2
Come join Rosalba and her grandmother, her Abuela, on a magical journey as they fly over the streets, sights, and people of New York City, which sparkles below. The story is narrated in English and sprinkled with Spanish phrases as Abuela points out places that they explore together. The exhilaration in Rosalba’s and Abuela’s story is magnified by the loving bond that only a grandmother and granddaughter can share.
Biblioburro
By Jeanette Winter
Recommended Grade Level: 1 – 4
A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter. Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books that there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages
The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred
By Samantha Vamos
Recommended Grade Level: K – 3
This is the story of how the farm maiden and all the farm animals worked together to make the rice pudding that they serve at the fiesta. With the familiarity of “The House That Jack Built,” this story bubbles and builds just like the ingredients of the arroz con leche that everyone enjoys.
Frida
By Jonah Winter
Recommended Grade Level: PreK – 3
When her mother was worn out from caring for her five sisters, her father gave her lessons in brushwork and color. When polio kept her bedridden for nine months, drawing saved her from boredom. When a bus accident left her in unimaginable agony, her paintings expressed her pain and depression – and eventually, her joys and her love. Over and over again, Frida Kahlo turned the challenges of her life into art.