Authors Share Cultural Pride in New Children's Books

Four authors have released new children's books that bring Hispanic and Latinx culture and history to young readers. The creators spoke with Publishers Weekly about their projects during Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month.

A Colombian Tour Guide

Sara Amini's picture book, Luisa, at Your Service!, features a six-year-old Colombian tour guide. The character is inspired by Amini's mother, who grew up in the town of Salento. "My mother was the inspiration for Luisa," Amini said. The book, illustrated by Juana Medina, aims to show that a community's value comes from its people.

Amini hopes Luisa's direct way of connecting with others inspires young readers to engage with their own communities. She believes taking ownership of where you live fosters pride and responsibility.

Celebrating Differences in Texas

Adrianna Cuevas's novel Mischief and Monsters follows a tall protagonist named Jordi. Cuevas, a middle school teacher, wants readers to see their unique traits as strengths. The story weaves in Texan mythology and themes of wildlife conservation.

Cuevas selected cryptids from Texas lore to highlight Jordi's uneasiness about his size and the importance of protecting vulnerable species.

Puerto Rican History in Verse

Anika Aldamuy Denise explores Puerto Rico's history through poetry in La Bandera: Poems of Resistance and Pride. The book uses the Puerto Rican flag as a central symbol. Denise says poetry allowed her to go beyond facts to evoke the feelings inside historical moments.

Denise believes Puerto Rico's full history is often missing from mainstream media due to its colonial status and lack of political power in the U.S. She hopes the book, published simultaneously in English and Spanish, gives all readers a more nuanced understanding.

A Bilingual Quinceañera Story

Delia Ruiz's picture book My Sister's Quinceañera/La quinceañera de mi hermana is part of a partnership between the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino and Random House. The bilingual story is told from the perspective of the birthday girl's younger sister.

Ruiz highlights the event as a family and community tradition. The book includes backmatter with cultural context and discussion questions. Ruiz, who has a sister named Erika like the character, incorporated a sibling bond she wished to celebrate.