12 Latinx Picture Books Coming Out in 2022 Your Kids Will Love
It’s shaping up to be quite an exciting year for Latinx authors and Latinx literature
Photos: Candlewick Press; NorthSouthBooks; Knopf Books
It’s shaping up to be quite an exciting year for Latinx authors and Latinx literature. We were thrilled to discover that there are so many Latinx children’s books are coming out in 2022. There are multiple titles by Latinx authors for every age group from preschoolers to high schoolers, coming out this year, that we just can’t wait to get our hands. So here, we’re going to start out by sharing 12 Latinx picture books for kids, including the latest by NoNieqa Ramos, Joe Cepeda and Ruth Behar.
The list is far from exhaustive but this is a sample of some of the uplifting and powerful stories you can add to the bookshelf for your chiquitos. What we love about these particular Latinx kids books is that the characters are all Latinx and that the books tell stories about our culture and history in ways that are fun and approachable for young children. wp_*posts
Where Wonder Grows by Xelena González
Photo: Lee & Low Books
Release Date: January 4, 2022
This gorgeous picture book taps into aspects of Latinx spirituality as passed down from a grandmother to her granddaughters. Where Wonder Grows by Xelena González is about two little girls who like to visit their grandmother’s garden and explore her treasures, each of which she says is “alive with wisdom.” From crystals and meteorites to seashells and magical rocks, each item inspires the girls in different ways, and helps them to learn more about their families and cultural traditions.wp_*posts
Tia Fortuna’s New Home by Ruth Behar
Photo: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 25, 2022
Written by award-winning Jewish-Cuban children’s book author, Ruth Behar, Tía Fortuna’s New Home, is an ode to both of the author’s heritages. The story is about a young girl who spends the day with her elderly tía to help her move from her long-time home in Miami. In the process she ends up learning a tremendous amount about her family’s history, traditions and cultures, all while strengthening her bond with her beloved Tía Fortuna.wp_*posts
Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos
Photo: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Release Date: February 15, 2022
We are such huge fans of author NoNieqa’s work, and her latest picture book, Beauty Woke, gives us all the feels. It tackles the topics of immigration, racism, and bigotry in a way that is approachable and empowering for Latinx kids. In the story, a young Puerto Rican girl grows up shielded by her family and community, but when she gets older and learns about the injustices in the world, she is distraught. Her community rallies around her to remind her to always be proud of who she is: a powerful descendant of Taínos and Africans.wp_*posts
With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Photo: Penguin Random House
Release Date: March 8, 2022
With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez truly brings to light the immigration experience for children. It’s told from the perspective of a little girl who moves from her home in Central America to the United States, leaving behind everything she knows and loves. While she can get used to a lot of things, there’s one thing she can’t: not having her abuela nearby. One day, when she gets a special package in the mail, she realizes that no matter the distance her abuela is still with her.wp_*posts
Climb On! by Baptiste Paul
Photo: NorthSouth Books
Release Date: March 8, 2022
Written by Caribbean American author Baptiste Paul and Illustrated by Latinx artist, Jacqueline Alcántara, Climb On! is a unique story that actually shows the bond between a father and daughter, which isn’t something we often see in children’s media. The story follows a father and daughter as they embark on a hike to the “tippy top” of a mountain, making many cool discoveries together along the way. Kids will love finding all the cool creatures in the book’s vibrant illustrations.wp_*posts
Sometimes, All I Need is Me by Juliana Perdomo
Photo: Candlewick Press
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Sometimes, All I Need is Me written and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo is a sweet and utterly comforting book about a young girl who loves the safety of her warm and cozy home. She’s learning how to use what she has inside of herself to give her comfort and peace when she’s away from home or even scared at night in her own room. It’s a book about self-care, self-assurance, peace, and courage that every little one can learn from.wp_*posts
Rafa Counts on Papá by Joe Cepeda
Photo: Little Brown and Company
Release Date: May 3, 2022
Rafa Counts on Papá by acclaimed children’s book author Joe Cepeda comes out just in time for Father’s Day. It’s the sweetest story about a little boy and his papá, and all the things they love to do together. The book is educational in that it’s a counting book perfect for young children, but it also beautifully showcases the love and connection of Latinx families and the special role of Latinx dads.
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Mi Ciudad Sings by Cynthia Harmony
Photo: Penguin Random House
Release Date: June 14, 2022
Mi Ciudad Sings by Cynthia Harmony follows a young girl as she takes her daily walk through the city with her dog only this time it’s not like every other day. She experiences an earthquake that terrifies her community and watches it come together and recover in the aftermath. It’s a lovely and inspiring story about fear, bravery, and hope in the face of turmoil in a book with illustrations that truly capture its setting.wp_*posts
Lola Out Loud by Jennifer Torres
Photo: Hatchette Book Group
Release Date: August 9, 2022
Lola Out Loud by Jennifer Torres is a picture book inspired by the childhood of the iconic labor rights activist, Dolores Huerta. It’s meant to inspire children to always speak out against injustices and use their voices for good, just like little “Lolita Siete Lenguas,” as her grandpa calls her. We absolutely love that this book gives young children a bit of a history lesson while teaching them an important moral concept.wp_*posts
Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Photo: Penguin Random House
Release Date: August 9, 2022
Written and illustrated by Adriana Hernández-Bergstrom, Abuelita and I Make Flan is a sweet story about family, forgiveness, and problem solving. When Anita breaks her grandma’s special flan plate, she’s worried grandma will be upset with her, but when it’s time to serve the flan, she figures out the perfect solution. This book also features a glossary of Spanish terms and a delicious and authentic recipe for Cuban flan.wp_*posts
The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González
Photo: Macmillan Publishers
Release Date: August 23, 2022
The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González is a picture book about the rebuilding of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria back in 2017. In it the main character watches as her community works together to restore their homes and land, and when she begins to hear the sounds of the coquies—the little tree frogs native to the island—she knows that they are succeeding, and learns just how strong and resilient her people are.wp_*posts
If Your Babysitter is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira
Photo: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: August 23, 2022
A bilingual, Latinx Halloween book? Yes, please! If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja, is an adorable picture book perfect for preschoolers and early elementary age children who love sorta-spooky stories. It’s about a little girl who meets her babysitter and immediately suspects she might actually be a witch! The little one taps into some of her own magical powers to make sure she’s not the bruja babysitter’s next victim.
