While this pandemic has still put a halt on many activities, families can continue to explore, travel and learn together by reading books.
It’s never too soon to read. Reading increases creativity, imagination, improves memory and provides a better understanding of the world around you. Exploring topics of every kind including reading about one’s personal heritage is an exciting prospect. Reading positive stories that are relatable can be vital to instilling pride and confidence, especially in young children.
For Latino Heritage Month, the following book titles for young readers have been recommended by the San Fernando public library:
Picture books for 2-5 year olds
· My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
· Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market by Raul the Third
· Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
· Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina
· Doña Flor by Pat Mora
· Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Thong
· Rudas: Niños Horrendous Hermanitas by Yuyi Morales
· Just In Case by Yuyi Morales
· Marta Big and Small by Jen Arena
· La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya
· All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle
· Yo Soy Muslim by Mark Gonzales
Non fiction – True stories, facts, statistics for school age children:
· Becoming Kid Quixote : a true story of belonging in America by Sarah Sierra
· Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Denise
· Areli is a Dreamer by Areli Morales
· La Madre Goose by Susan Middleton Elya
· Marco’s Cinco de Mayo by Lisa Bullard
· Dia de los Muertos by Roseanne Thong
· Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
· Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle
· Sonia Sotomayor by Kathleen Krull
· Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle
· The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Alma Ada Flor
· Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan Felipe Herrera
Fiction for school-aged children:
· Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
· Mercy Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
· Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
· The First Rule of Punk by Cèlia Perez
· Sofia Martinez series by Jacqueline Jules
· Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina
· Yes! We Are Latinos by Alma Ada Flor
· Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
· Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Mejia
· Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
· Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
The San Fernando public library is located at 217 N. Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340. Customers can borrow books, movies, laptops, and nature exploration kits. There are currently two programs available for young people to participate in — The Children Book Club & Teen Book Club. Participants check out a book, complete the entry form and participate in an opportunity drawing to win a prize. For more information about upcoming events available and booklists go to: https://lacountylibrary.org/booklist-details/949/