As a first generation Latina college graduate who just recently finished paying off student debt, encouraging my daughter to dream big is at the top of my list. Finding books that open her mind to what's possible in her life is definitely something that helps. Reading consistently on a regular basis is also a part of my strategy, as reading has so many benefits. As a Latina mom raising a bilingual and potentially multilingual child in a fast paced and shifting world, I know that college education and continuing education is the only way for growth. I want to teach her that you are never too old to learn and that learning is something you do your entire life and not just in college. Here are my....
Favorite Books in English and Spanish that Promote Higher Learning in Kids
Iggy Peck, Architect (The Questioneers) or Pedro Perfecto Arquitecto
I bought this book to encourage my daughter's love of building. She can spend hours building houses, restaurants, or playgrounds with her Lego. I wanted a book that talked about architecture in a juvenile way and I came across this gem.
Concept:
A hilarious, irreverent book about doing your own thing
Meet Iggy Peck—creative, independent, and not afraid to express himself! In the spirit of David Shannon’s No, David and Rosemary Wells’s Noisy Nora, Iggy Peck will delight readers looking for irreverent, inspired fun.
Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up! With Andrea Beaty’s irresistible rhyming text and David Roberts’s puckish illustrations, this book will charm creative kids everywhere, and amuse their sometimes bewildered parents.
Book Info:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: Spanish
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
Ada Twist, Scientist (The Questioneers) or Ada Magnífica, Científica
I love that this book has a brown girl represented as a scientist. Such a powerful message to little girls that are inspired to do great things. While we don't have this one, it's part of The Questioneers collection, which is agreat one to have.
Concept:
Like her classmates, builder Iggy and inventor Rosie, scientist Ada, a character of color, has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose? Why are there hairs growing inside your nose?
When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. What would you do with a problem like this? Not afraid of failure, Ada embarks on a fact-finding mission and conducts scientific experiments, all in the name of discovery. But, this time, her experiments lead to even more stink and get her into trouble!
Book Info:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: Spanish
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
Rosie Revere, Engineer (The Questioneers) or Rosa Pionera Ingeniera
This is such a cute book. Rosie loves to come up with ideas and contraptions much to the laughter of her family, which make her almost give up. I love that it shows a moment that takes that laughter where Rosie feels made fun of into a very powerful moment, something that I needed my daughter Victoria to see as she is highly sensitive and sometimes misconstrues things.
Concept:
Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she's a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal--to fly--Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true.
But when her contraption doesn't fly but rather hovers for a moment and then crashes, Rosie deems the invention a failure. On the contrary, Aunt Rose insists that Rosie's contraption was a raging success. You can only truly fail, she explains, if you quit.
Book Info:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: Spanish
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
The Wonderful Things You Will Be or Las Maravillosas Cosas Que LLegarás a Ser
My daughter was gifted this book when she was a baby and it still one we have and read time and time again. I love reading this book and now that they have it in Spanish I love it even more.
Concept:
The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for graduations or to celebrate your loved ones this Father’s Day, and for birthdays, new babies, and other new beginnings all year long!
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, lush illustrations and a stunning gatefold that opens at the end, this is a book that families will love reading over and over.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes and makes a great gift to the ones you love for any occasion.
Book Info:
Page Number: 36 pages
Type of Books: Kindle,Hardcover, Audiobook
Language: English
Reading Ages: 3 to 7 years old
What Do You Do With an Idea?
As a designer and creator I absolutely LOVE this book. Victoria liked it but not as much as I did. It's such a beautiful book that teaches how you can nurture an idea. It doesn't tell you exactly what that idea is but it gives you a visual of an egg looking thing with legs as "the idea." I think that's why my daughter wasn't too excited because she took "the idea" very literal. That being said, if you have a creative child this may be a good one to have or just for you as a creative adult.
Concept:
A New York Times Best Seller and award-winning book, What Do You Do With an Idea? is for anyone who's ever had a big idea.
This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started.
Book Info:
Page Number: 36 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: English
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
Be Bold! Be Brave! 11 Latinas who made U.S. History (English and Spanish Edition)
I love reading about what different women have done to my daughter. It shows her that anything is possible in life. I like to read this book one woman at a time and having a conversation about that person's accomplishments as opposed to reading the entire book at once so as to not overwhelm.
Concept:
Be Bold! Be Brave! 11 Latinas who made U.S. History, Sé Audaz! Sé Valiente!: 11 Latinas que hicieron historia en los Estados Unidos is a bilingual book that highlights 11 Latinas who excelled in various fields including medicine, science, sports, art and politics. By presenting the true biographical stories of these outstanding Latinas in rhyming verses, young readers will easily follow their journey to success. Some of the women highlighted include Antonia Novello (first female Surgeon General in the U.S.), Ellen Ochoa (first Latina to go to space), Sonia Sotomayor (first Latina Supreme Court Justice,) Rita Moreno (first Latina to win an Oscar), Selena, and Pura Belpre (first Latina to incorporate and promote bilingual literacy in Public Libraries).
Book Info:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Kindle,Paperback, Audiobook,Hardcover
Language: English Spanish
The Gift That I Can Give - El Don que puedo dar. A Bilingual Book
I read this book at the bookstore and it brought me tears. This is a must have book if you are a spiritual person and believe in God. In the sweetest and most endearing way it encourages your child to be them, to nurture their being, and that they have many gifts that they can give to the world and they can start sharing them now. This is probably my favorite bilingual book in our library.
Concept:
Kids don't have to wait until they grow up to make the world a better place! Kathie Lee Gifford's book empowers children to find unique ways to make a difference in the lives of those around them.
The Gift That I Can Give Bilingual Edition is a heartwarming story that shows how all children can do something today to make a positive impact on others. From simply being kind to giving a loved one an extra-big hug to cheering for a friend, this story will inspire children with countless ways to show God's love. They'll want to read it again and again.
Book Info:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: English Spanish
Reading Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Fearless Trailblazers: 11 Latinos Who Made U.S. History
Another great book to inspire little boys to dream big. I love that they created a male version of the Be Bold Be Brave Book to encourage kids to see what is possible and what they can become when they grow up.
Concept:
Fearless Trailblazers,11 Latinos who made U.S. History, Pioneros Audaces, 11 Latinos que hicieron historia en Los Estados Unidos, is a bilingual book that highlights 11 Latinos who excelled in their professional careers and made U.S. history by accomplishing something that hadn't been done before in their respective fields which include science, sports, the arts and politics.
By presenting the true biographical stories of these outstanding Latinos in rhyming verses, young readers will easily follow their journey to success. Each persons biographical story is written in both Spanish and English to encourage and promote bilingual literacy. Some of the men highlighted include Cesar Chavez (Activist), Jose Hernandez(Astronaut), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Playwright), Jean-Michel Basquiat (Artist), Julian Castro (Politician) and more.
Book Info:
Page Number: 36 pages
Type of Books: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover
Language: English
Reading Ages: 8 to 12 years old
What will I be? for boys and What Will I be? for girls.
Representation matters and showing brown boys and girls what they can become is so important in a way that is reflective of what they look like. I love that these 2 books provide that voice and can inspire little boys and girls of color that they too can become great things and go beyond the stereotypes that plague our society.
Concept:
A positive and uplifting book for young children.
You can be anything that you set your mind on.
This lovely book showcases an array of different careers in an easy to understand way. Ideal for young children.
It is also very important for non-black children to read books with BIPOC characters. Differences should be celebrated from a young age.
Representation matters.
Book Info:
Page Number: 40 pages
Type of Books: Kindle, Paperback
Language: English
Reading Ages: 5 to 7 years old
Quinito's Neighborhood/El Vecindario de Quinito
This is a cute little book that showcases different roles in the community and shows different gender roles, like mom is a carpenter and dad is a nurse. I really like the artwork as it is very unique. I also like that it is bilingual and my daughter has an opportunity to practice her Spanish.
Concept:
Quinito’s neighborhood is made up of more than just buildings, streets, and shops — it’s made up of people he knows and loves. Each person has an important job to do, and each knows and values every member of the community. Readers meet them on this delightful neighborhood tour.
His cousin Tita, who learns how to make people laugh in clown school. His aunt, who paints murals to brighten up the streets. Rafi, who bakes bread, and Luis Manuel, who sells it. Highlighted by José Ramírez's energetic, jewel-like illustrations, Quinito's Neighborhood inspires readers to explore and appreciate their own neighborhoods.
Book Info:
Page Number: 24 pages
Type of Books: Paperback, Hardcover
Language: English
Reading Ages: 4 to 8 years old
No matter the age, let's encourage our kids to dream bigger one book at a time :)
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