Mexican Culture

A Lil' Libros Bilingual Counting Book Introduce your little one to the life of one of Mexico's most iconic painters, Frida Kahlo, while teaching them their numbers, 1 to 10, in English and Spanish. Count una casa azul (one blue house), tres flores (three flowers), and cinco retratos (five portraits).

We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers. Yuyi Morales brought her hopes, her passion, her strength, and her stories with her, when she came to the United States in 1994 with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn't come empty-handed. Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It's the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it's a promise that you can make better tomorrows. This lovingly-illustrated picture book memoir looks at the myriad gifts migrantes bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own strengths wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless. The lyrical text is complemented by sumptuously detailed illustrations, rich in symbolism. Also included are a brief autobiographical essay about Yuyi's own experience, a list of books that inspired her (and still do), and a description of the beautiful images, textures, and mementos she used to create this book. A parallel Spanish-language edition, Soñadores, is also available.

Learn all about the traditions of Día de los Muertos with this second book in the brand-new board book series Celebrate the World, which highlights special occasions and holidays across the globe. At the end of October each year, it’s time to celebrate an ancient tradition: Día de los Muertos! With vibrant illustrations by Golden Globe–winning Mexican illustrator Jorge Gutierrez, this festive board book teaches that Día de los Muertos honors ancestors and loved ones who have passed. From sugar skulls to papel picado, this is a holiday that truly commemorates the cycle of life.

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but now you're going to meet the three little javelinas (pronounced ha-ve-LEE-nas)-loveable, wild, southwestern cousins of pigs. Living in homes built out of tumbleweeds and saguaro ribs (from the fallen giant cacti), the first two javelinas are soon running from the hungry coyote, who had hoped to eat them with red chile sauce. And where do they go for shelter? Why, to their wise sister's house, made strong with adobe bricks. This clever and humorous tale is sure to delight children of all ages, especially those familiar with the Southwest. Dressed in cowboy duds and prepared for life in the rugged desert, these characters are more than any coyote bargained for.

A Lil' Libros Bilingual Book of Shapes Explore the city of Tenochtitlan along side Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor―where you’ll come across the circulo (circle) in the Aztec calendar, the triángulo (triangle) in the pyramid, the heart in the shield of an Aztec princess, and more! This book introduces your little one to shapes and their first English and Spanish words. Unable to find bilingual first concept books she could enjoy reading to her baby, Patty Rodriguez came up with the idea behind Lil' Libros.

Green is a chile pepper, spicy and hot. Green is cilantro inside our pot. In this lively picture book, children discover a world of colors all around them: red is spices and swirling skirts, yellow is masa, tortillas, and sweet corn cake. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this playful concept book will reinforce the colors found in every child's day!

Award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book and ALA/ALSC Notable Children's Book! Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations, and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths. In The Princess and the Warrior, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh retells one of Mexico’s cherished legends.

This original trickster tale, with its vivacious illustrations and dynamic read-aloud text, is at once a spirited tribute to the rich traditions of Mexican culture and a perfect introduction to counting in both English and Spanish.

Teach your baby about Oaxaca, a magical city in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, through illustrations and words that will teach them about the world in English and Spanish. Let's take a trip around the world with VÁMONOS. In this colorful new series by Lil' Libros, each book celebrates the sights, sounds, and people of a different city both in English and Spanish. With simple text by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, and colorful illustrations by Lil' Libros' very own Ana Godinez, each book will have your little ones celebrating the world, fostering empathy, and seeing that there are a million ways to live on this planet!

To the wild ones who dream of flying...this story is for you! In this new Lily Huckleberry adventure, our brave Lily meets Maria, a migrating monarch butterfly who needs help finding her way back home. Lily and Maria embark on a whimsical journey through deserts and seas, colorful markets and magical villages, meeting all kinds of charming new friends along the way.Will Lily be able to help Maria reunite with her family? Kids love Lily s colorful escapades in Mexico for its fun characters and whimsical twists and turns! Parents love the underlying message: You will never know if you can fly, unless you jump! Get this book NOW and share the magical hullabaloo with your child! No magic doubter allowed! The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Mexico is the third book of a travel series for kids that aims to: 1) show kids the beauty + diversity of the world 2) give them a brave female role model to look up to 3) foster children's imaginations 4) create a society of little explorers who are curious about the world and always ready for adventure

Clever Federico outsmarts el lobo in this fresh and funny Mexican-American take on Little Red Riding Hood. With his red hoodie on and his bicycle basket full of food, Federico is ready to visit Abuelo. But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo... Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever—and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa. Recipe included.

"There's a lot we like... especially the authentic Mexican look and tone. Vibrant art, rhyming text, detailed cultural descriptions ― plus Spanish language ― it's a great tote-bag accessory to pack for down-time at the beach" ― Nick Jr. Family Magazine Travel to Mexico and discover its many wonders, from the amazing monarch butterflies in the Highlands to a mariachi show in the village square. The rhyme and lyricism of the text is complemented by educational endnotes about the history of the country, national fiestas, and a glossary of simple Spanish vocabulary.

Generations of readers have treasured this 1960 Caldecott Medal winner and its tale of a little Mexican girl's excitement at the approach of Christmas. Ceci eagerly awaits Las Posadas, the traditional nine-day series of yuletide celebrations. This year she'll lead the candlelight procession that reenacts Mary and Joseph's trek to Bethlehem. Meanwhile, Mother takes her to the old marketplace to choose her very first piñata. Ceci is dazzled by the colorful array of options, and after making her choice has second thoughts about the fate of her piñata once the posada takes place. Graced by evocative illustrations, this international holiday classic is now available in a lovely hardcover edition. "The youngest child will be completely transported by this story," noted The Atlantic, and readers of all ages will be charmed by the child's-eye view of Mexican culture.

On Día de los Muertos, we dance, decorate, and celebrate the reunion of the living and the dead! We line the street with glowing candles, display pictures to honor the loved ones no longer with us, play fun music, and more. Learn about more The Day of the Dead traditions while also practicing counting numbers 1-10. Wiggle and waggle the plush finger puppet as the characters in the story dance around. Children will love the adorable and interactive hand puppet toy, making for an engaging story or bedtime experience.

Jovita dreamed of wearing pants! She hated the big skirts Abuela made her wear. She wanted to scale the tallest mesquite tree on her rancho, ride her horse, and feel the wind curl her face into a smile When her father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious freedom, Jovita wanted to go, too. Forbidden, she defied her father’s rules – and society’s – and found a clever way to become a trailblazing revolutionary, wearing pants! This remarkable true story about a little-known maverick Mexican heroine is brought vividly to life by her great-niece and Américas Award–winner Aida Salazar, and Eisner Award–honoree Molly Mendoza.