This Black History Month, celebrate Afro-Latinx authors with a selection of eight of our favorite Afro-Latino books for children. Whether you're looking to show your kids authors just like them or expand their library of stories, we've got children's books from men and women of color for you to listen to together.
Lives aren't lived in just one color, and there's an entire world of intersecting cultures to explore with your kids. From short stories to longer books, from Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban heritages to Kenyan and Afro-Caribbean, there are stories of all kinds to dive into. The combination of the African diaspora and Hispanic and Latinx voices means a wealth of black Latinx stories that your kids will love.
African American, Mexican, Afro-Puerto Rican, and more, find out just what makes Afro-Latinx authors so special this Black History Month. Celebrate with your kids while learning more from voices of all kinds. The diversity that spreads from New York City to Los Angeles means that we have plenty of unique stories to share.
Whether your kid just likes to listen to books while they do something else, or they're following along with a physical copy of the picture book, *Islandborn* is beautifully written. Díaz's narration is clear and bold, easy for little ears to listen to. He brings a cozy feel to the story,
like having a story read to you by your uncle who can do all the best voices,according to *AudioFile*.
*Drum Dream Girl* is based on the amazing true story of the Chinese African Cuban drummer Millo Castro Zaldarriaga who broke Cuba's no girls drum taboo so she could play to her own beat. Author Margarita Engle tells this beautiful, inspiring story, perfectly cut down for young listeners. Adriana Sananes' dynamic, vibrant reading is backed by the beautiful drum beats of Cuban music.
Michelle Manzo tells Celia Cruz's story, with snippets of the woman's own music bringing the history to life with Spanish and English singing. Young readers may miss out on the vibrant way this story shines with music to show listeners just what Celia Cruz's life sounded like. Afro-Latina author Veronica Chambers shows her writing skills, making a history sound more like a story told around the kitchen table to a band of wide-eyed listeners. There's never a boring moment.
Carole Boston Weatherford doesn't treat history like some boring thing to be left to history class. Her brilliant writing makes Schomburg's story something interesting, and a combination of Ron Butler's strong narration and light-hearted music make Schomburg's passion seem closer than a century ago.
Inspired by queer role models in her life, author Jessica Love tells a simple story of acceptance that's so important for young listeners to hear. The combination of Latin American identity, African American identity, and wholehearted self-expression spreads an essential message of learning to be yourself. The short story is brought to life by Avi Roque and backed by energetic music that makes each second feel like it's in full color.
This haunting tale is expertly narrated by a talented cast who let the poetry flow freely with each word. Author Margarita Engle perfectly captured the feeling of struggle and the effort to be soft and healing in a world determined to cause harm. Older children and young adults will love exploring this lyrical portrait painted of historical Cuba.
Margarita Engle does it again with poetry that can enchant young listeners while telling real, historical stories of life in Cuba. The stark reality of Manzano's life is both emphasized and softened by the lyrical way she tells his story. A cast of narrators makes Manzano's life feel only inches away, full of beauty and sorrow. It's easy to step into the shoes of this young poet as he tells his story with Engle's words.
Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o makes her writing debut with this stunning exploration of colorism and the true meaning of beauty. It's a frank look at how the push for lighter skin tones affects young children, especially black girls, and how that feeling can follow black women for their entire life. With a moving message about self-esteem and self-love, *Sulwe* is a hopeful take on a problem that many young women of color face in their daily lives. With a touch of whimsy perfectly narrated by the actress herself, Nyong'o sends a message of love to all the young listeners out there, especially those with dark skin.