With Thanksgiving just around the corner, families may try to teach their children about the concept of gratitude and appreciating what they have. This list of 10 books, some in both English an Spanish, offer up good, engaging artwork and stories with Latino themes that are sure to help put the “Thanks” in Thanksgiving.
Gracias (Thanks)
Author: Pat Mora
Ilustrations by John Parra
Gracias is an illustrated bilingual book about a boy who gives thanks for simple things and for the people in his life. The writing flows in English on one page and Spanish on the next.
I’m Thankful For Each Day (Doy Gracias Por Cada Dia)
Written and Illustrated by P.K Hallinan
This bilingual book is a great introduction to thankfulness it two languages.
Rubber Shoes: A Lesson in Gratitude (Los zapatos de goma: una lección de gratitude) (Bilingual)
Author: Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri
Illustrations by Lina Safar
Rubber Shoes: A Lesson in Gratitude / Los zapatos de goma: una lección de gratitud
Read a complete review of “Rubber Shoes: A Lesson in Gratitude / Los zapatos de goma: una lección de gratitude.
Magali: Una Leyenda Azteca Sobre LA Buena Fortuna (Magali: an Aztec Legend About Good Fortune)
Author: Patricia Petersen
Illustrations by Sheila Petersen
Magali: Una Leyenda Azteca Sobre LA Buena Fortuna/an Aztec Legend About Good Fortune (Cuentos En Dos Idiomas.) is a bilingual story about a goldsmith’s son who is blessed by Magali, the town wise woman. She performs the rites of passage and gives offerings to the gods in an Aztec house.
Un Regalo de Gracias: La Leyenda de la Altagracia (Spanish)
Author: Julia Alvarez
Illustrations by Beatriz Vidal
This book tells the story of Maria and the origin of the Dominican virgin of Altagracia.
Little Critter: Tan agradecido (Spanish)
Written and Illustrated by Mercer Mayer
Little Critter: Just So Thankful (Spanish edition)
This book by legendary children’s author Mayer helps to teach children the value of the immaterial. The main character, Little Critter, realizes his loving family is far more important than owing the kinds of fancy gadgets the new neighbor has.
Pavo Por La Cena De Gracias? No, Gracias! (Spanish)
Author: Alma Flor Ada
Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner? No Thanks! is reminiscent of Charlotte’s Web. The turkey hears people talking about how tasty he will be on Thanksgiving and he loses his appetite. The turkey meets a spider who sets out to save the turkey.
El primer Día de Accion de Gracias (Spanish)
Author: Amy White
Illustrations by: Karylin Siegler
This is a good Spanish book for beginning readers to learn about the history of Thanksgiving, and explains how the pilgrims got to America and overcame hardship with a little help from the locals, later showing their gratitude with a feast.
Gracias el Pavo de Thanksgiving (Spanish)
Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrations by Joe Cepeda
Miguel and Gracias, the soon-to-be-eaten Thanksgiving turkey, become friends and go everywhere together. Miguel’s grandparents and aunt help him keep his friend off the holiday dinner table.
Squanto y el Primer Dia de Accion de Gracias (Spanish)
Author: Joyce K. Kessel
Illustrations by Lisa Donze
This is the story of the first Thanksgiving and tells of Squanto, a Patuxet Indian, teaching Pilgrims how to survive.
To read more about the books, go to this recent article.
