Preschool-Grade 3 | Grades 4-12 | Other Lists | Home
This bibliography includes books that have been published
in
the last five years and are available at the
Natrona County Public Library.
Amado, E. (1999) Barrilete: a Kite for the Day of the Dead Toronto,
Canada: Groundwood.
Juan and his brothers make a large, round tissue kite in memory of their Abuelo
(Grandfather). They fly the kites in the cemetery on the Day of the Dead. Illustrated
with photographs of the kites and boys by Joya Hairs. Level: 2-6
Banks, K. (2000) The Night Worker NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Alex wants to go to work with his father. Papa takes him one night and he describes
all the things he sees. Georg Hallensleben used unblended acrylics to create the look
of shapes in the dark. Level: P-2
Bertrand, D.G. (2000) The Last Doll/ La Ultima Muneca Houston, TX: Pinata.
Sarita, a doll, is the special gift given to Teresa at her quinceanera by her godfather.
The book is an excellent description of this special celebration. Each page has the text
in Spanish and English. Illustrated by Anthony Accardo with detailed watercolor paintings.
Level: 2-6
Bertrand, D.G. (2001) Uncle Chente’s Picnic/ El Picnic de Tio Chente Houston, TX:
Piñata.
Everyone in the family is excited because Uncle Chente is coming for their July 4th picnic.
It pours and the electricity goes out, but they tell family stories and have fun together.
Each page has the text in Spanish and English. Illustrated with colored pencils in pastel
shades by Pauline Rodriguez Howard. Level: 2-6
Chavarria-Chairez, B. (2000) Magda’s Tortillas/ Las tortillas de Magda
Houston, TX: Piñata.
For her birthday, Magda will be taught by Abuela, her grandmother, how to make tortillas.
She wants hers to be round, but they are many different shapes. The other children love
what she has made. The story is told in English and Spanish. Illustrated with bright
acrylics by Anne Vega. Level: K-6
de Anda, D. (2001) Dancing Miranda/ Baila, Miranda, Baila Houston, TX: Pinata.
Miranda loves to ballet dance. She is getting ready for a performance when she overhears her
Mother talking about her childhood in leg braces. Miranda feels bad until her Mother tells
her what joy she feels when she sees Miranda dance. Each page has text in Spanish and English.
Illustrated by Lamberto Alvarez using bright poster paints in large backgrounds. Level: 2-6
dePaola, T. (1999) The Night of Las Posadas NY: G.P. Putnam.
Sister Angie's Christmas Eve Las Posadas procession is almost ruined, until mysterious
friends help her. The story describes this Spanish tradition and how it is celebrated
in the US. Illustrated with bold acrylics. Level: P-3
Dorros, A. (2002) When the Pigs Took Over NY: Dutton.
Don Carlos, the older brother, always wants “more”. More food, snails, birds, pigs until
the village is overrun. Alonzo, the younger brother, who only wants music, must save the town.
More is not always better. There is a glossary of Spanish words used in the story. The bright
pastels by Diane Greenseid create sharp images. Level: P-2 grades
Freschet, G. (2001) Beto and the Bone Dance NY: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Beto searches all day for something special from him to put on his Abuela's alter on the
Day of the Dead. Bold pastels show the things that are involved in the Day of the Dead celebration.
Level: 2-6
Hayes, J. (2000) Estrellita de Oro/Little Gold Star NY: Cinco Puntos Press.
This Mexican Cinderella story is told in Spanish & English. Illustrated by Gloria Osuna &
Lucia Angela Perez, using bright acrylics to give the feel of Mexico. Level: K-4
Herrera, J.F. (2002) Grandma and Me at the Flea/ Los Meros Meros Remateros San
Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
Every Sunday Juanito helps his grandma sell old clothing at the flea market. The market is
a place for helping, sharing and creating community. Each page has text in Spanish and English.
Illustrated with bright acrylic pictures by Anita DeLucio-Brock. Level: 1-6
Johnson, T. (2001) Uncle Rain Cloud Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Carlos’ Tio Tomas is always mad because he doesn’t know English and Carlos has to
translate for him; but he tells wonderful stories in Spanish. They work out a deal
where Carlos teaches Tomas English, and Tomas teaches Carlos stories in Spanish.
Illustrated with a rough texture acrylic look by Fabricio VandenBroeck. Level: 1-6
Madrigal, A. (2000) Blanca's Feather Flagstaff, AZ, Rising Moon.
Rosalio can't find her hen, Blanca; so instead takes her feather to have it blessed
by the priest. Everyone laughs at her. Illustrated by Gerardo Suzan with earth-toned,
crackled paint that looks like old oil paintings. Level: K-2
Stevens, J.R. (1999) Carlos and the Carnival Flagstaff, AZ: Rising Moon.
Carlos goes to the carnival with his friend, Gloria. He tries to spend his money wisely.
The story is told in Spanish and English with a recipe for sopaipillas at the end.
Illustrated with colorful oils by Jeanne Arnold. Level: 1-6
Stevens, J.R. (2001) Carlos Digs to China Flagstaff, AZ: Rising Moon.
Carlos goes to a Chinese restaurant with his class and decides to dig to China.
Everyone is interested, until he makes a wrong turn. The story is in Spanish and English
and has a recipe for sweet rice at the end. Jeanne Arnold used bright oil paintings.
Level: 2-6
Preschool-Grade 3 | Grades 4-12 |
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Alvarez, J. (2001) How Tia Lola Came to Visit Stay NY: Knopf.
Miguel is embarrassed because his colorful Tia Lola from the Dominican Republic
can only speak Spanish. But she does tell wonderful stories, and he learns to love her.
Level: 4-8, 147p.
Bertrand, D.G. (1999) Trino's Choice Houston, TX: Pinata.
Trino is very poor, and thinks he can help his mother by stealing for a gang.
A girl he likes helps him make a better choice. Level: 7-12, 124p.
Bertrand, D.G. (2001) Trino's Time Houston, TX: Pinata.
Trino loses two friends and is helped to feel better by a Tejano hero he finds
in history class. Level: 7-12, 171p.
Ryan, P.M. (2000) Esperanza Rising NY: Scholastic.
Esperanza is a wealthy Mexican, until her father is killed. She and her mother flee to
California, where they become field workers to survive. An excellently-written story
based on family history about changes and being poor in America. Level: 6-12, 262p.
Veciana-Suarez, A. (2002) Flight to Freedom NY: Orchard.
Yara Garcia and her family flee from Havana to Miami in 1967. They have relatives, but no
English, so finding jobs is difficult. Their father joins the militants and their mother
tries to be less traditional. Level: 5-12, 213p.
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This page was updated January, 2004.
