Read Globally: 17 Beautiful Books That Introduce Mexican Culture & History to Kids
by Devon A. Corneal
Mexico shares a 1,933-mile border with the United States and the flow of people between our two countries has given rise to a glorious interplay of language, food, and tradition. These stories from and inspired by our southern neighbor highlight the incredible and myriad facets of Mexican culture. From picture books to middle grade novels, we’ve found wonderful tales of Mexican traditions that we hope your entire family will enjoy.
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Picture Books
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What Can You Do With a Paleta?/¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta?
Available from:I’ve never had a paleta, but after reading this story, I really, really, really want one of these frozen fruity Mexican popsicles. One of the joys of learning about other cultures is appreciating the myriad flavors of traditional dishes (including, of course, desserts!), and I’m definitely putting one of these on my must-try list.
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Adela’s Mariachi Band
Available from:Adela loves her family’s mariachi band and wants to be a part of it. However, her attempts at playing the various instruments fall flat. Thankfully, she thinks of another way to participate in the band. This funny and colorful celebration of Mexican music features plenty of instrument sounds and Spanish words.
RELATED: Picture Books That Celebrate Hispanic & Latine Heritage
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Diego
Available from:This biography of the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera is told in both Spanish and English, exposing young readers to the beauty not only of Rivera’s art but also of his native tongue.
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Yum, Yum, Mexico!
Available from:Explore the cuisine of Mexico from A to Z with this delicious board book! Rhyming text and pronunciation guides make for a delightful reading experience, while the colorful illustrations will keep little ones mesmerized.
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I am Frida Kahlo
Available from:Introduce your little reader to Mexico’s most prominent artist in this picture book biography. Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, vibrant colors, and unique paintings made her a household name. Readers will learn about this fascinating artist and how she shared her art with the world.
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The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote
Available from:This story is a classic trickster tale of sneaky Rabbit and the tricks he plays on unsuspecting Coyote. A fun story that also explains why coyotes howl at the moon.
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A Flicker of Hope
Available from:Monarch butterflies migrate from their home in Mexico every summer and travel north. One year, Lucía’s father follows the butterflies north to look for work. While he is gone, Lucía diligently waits and watches for him to follow the butterflies back home at the end of the summer.
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Mi Ciudad Sings
Available from:Follow a young girl and her dog through Mexico City’s streets as they take in the sights, sounds, and smells. When a natural disaster shakes the city to its core, the girl witnesses the people come together to rebuild. This beautiful story is about community and human connection when we need it most.
RELATED: Must-Read Children's & YA Books by Latine Authors
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Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena
Available from:Magic and tasty treats come together in this festive Christmas story. Esperanza is a spun sugar ornament that comes to life and throws a holiday party in the bakery. But when the Nochebeuena cake gets destroyed, Esperanza and the rest of the bakery must work together to set things right.
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The Piñata That the Farm Maiden Hung
Available from:A farm maiden enlists the help of everyone on the farm to create a piñata for a surprise birthday party. Written in rhyme, this story follows the same pattern as “The House That Jack Built.” It’s a fun, rollicking read that introduces Spanish vocabulary and culture to young readers.
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Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life
Available from:Celebrate the Day of the Dead with this Little Golden Book about the Mexican holiday. Learn how people welcome their ancestors back by offering food, flowers, and memories. Read this book with your little ones to introduce them to the holiday or to get them excited about the festivities.
RELATED: Día de los Muertos Books for Kids
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Abuelita’s Gift
Available from:Día de los Muertos is quickly approaching, and Julieta can’t wait to welcome her grandmother back. If only she could find the right gift! As time runs out, Julieta grows increasingly worried about finding a meaningful gift. As Julieta thinks back on her memories with her grandmother, she comes up with a beautiful, heartfelt gift that her grandmother will love. This heartwarming story celebrates family and the memories that live on after loved ones die.
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Middle Grade
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Mexikid
Available from:In this funny and heartwarming graphic novel memoir, readers get a unique glimpse into the Martín family as Pedro, his eight brothers and sisters, and his parents travel to Mexico to bring their Abuelito home to California. The importance of family, intergenerational relationships, and the rich history of our elders takes center stage in this book that bestselling author Victoria Jamieson calls “one of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it.”
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The First Rule of Punk
Available from:Being different is hard no matter who you are, but things are not looking good for Malú on her first day of school. She’s made a popular girl mad and her punk style violates the school’s dress code. Malú doesn’t know how she’ll survive the year, until she finds a group of friends as unique as she is and who are willing to fight to be themselves.
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Return to Sender
Available from:In this touching story, two families forced together in crisis forge new and unexpected bonds of friendship and respect. When Tyler’s family hires migrant Mexican workers, including Mari’s dad, to help save their farm, two very different cultures come together to change everyone involved.
RELATED: 9 Books for Tweens That Weave Spanish Into Their Narratives
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Who Was Frida Kahlo?
Available from:Although Frida Kahlo struggled with physical ailments for most of her life, her art was an explosion of color, refusing to be constrained. Known for her sizable eyebrows and extraordinary love for her native Mexico, Kahlo is an artist for the ages.
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What the Moon Saw
Available from:Clara has lived her entire life in the United States. She’s never visited Mexico, where her father was born, until now. Clara’s grandparents have invited her to spend the summer with them, and Clara is about to discover just how different their rural home is, and how much there is to learn from her family and heritage.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024.