Chato Y Los Amigos Pachangueros

This lively tale of a party-loving barrio cat who throws a surprise celebration for his friend Novio Boy. With a lively text, bold art, and a setting and theme with Latinx flavor, this is an ideal choice for Spanish readers.

Orson Blasts Off!

What’s a megabyte-loving kid to do when his computer breaks? BLAST OFF! Join Orson and his sidekick, Weasel, on a hair-raising adventure where they touch the North Pole…watch the eye of a storm wink…and fall through a black hole in outer space. Readers (but maybe not their parents!) will be amazed at what can happen when a creative kid is forced away from his computer screen. Raúl Colón’s picture book is filled with delicious word-play and all the fun of a comic book.

Chato Y Su Cena

cenaTo get the “ratoncitos,” little mice who have moved into the barrio, to come to come to his house, Chato the cat prepares all kinds of good food: fajitas, frijoles, salsa, enchiladas, and more. Wisely, the mice bring along a canine friend who ensures that Chato eats tortillas and not them for dinner.

La Noche Buena

Nina is visiting her grandmother in Miami for Christmas. Usually she spends it in snowy New England with her mother and her family, but this year is different. She isn’t certain what to make of a hot and humid holiday, until she learns the traditions of her father’s side of the family from her Cuban grandmother. She helps prepare for the evening and takes part in all their traditions—the intricate cooking for the feast, the dancing, the music, and the gathering of relatives and neighbors. It all comes together for a Noche Buena that Nina will never forget.   Antonio Sacre and Angela Dominguez have created a wonderful story that everyone who celebrates Christmas will enjoy. The book includes a glossary of Spanish words.

The Old Man And His Door

Who would bring the door, la puerta, to a picnic instead of the pig, el puerco? An old man who’s great at gardening but lousy at listening to his wife! “In the universal tradition of the wise-fool story, this gentle disaster tale is funny and affectionate….The combination is great for reading aloud.” — Booklist

The Great Escape from City Zoo

An anteater, an elephant, a turtle, and a flamingo break out of City Zoo and, disguised as people, try to make a life for themselves on the outside.

The Rain Train

All aboard! Take a train ride through a storm at night in a rhythmic readaloud chugging with sound words and full of striking illustrations. A pitter-pat-pat, a pitter-pat-pat, A pittery-pittery-pittery-pat. When it’s thundering down on the roof, in the lane, From the storm comes the call . . . “All aboard the Rain Train!” What child wouldn’t like to hop on a train, hand over his ticket, and set off on an exciting ride through a rainy night? Safe from the elements, a young boy listens and watches in his seat, in the dining car, and snug in his sleeper as his train whooshes past city lights, over rivers, through tunnels, and straight on to morning.