Celia Cruz Archives - Hispanic Mama

Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day where we celebrate and encourage the publication of multicultural children’s books. In a period where our country is divided with hate speech, it is essential for our kids to have access to books that promote diversity.

5 Reasons We Need Multicultural Children’s Books

i am saying 5 reasons, but there are actually millions of great reasons why we need more available multicultural children’s books! It is important that children all over the world see themselves and their cultures within the pages of a book, and have the opportunity to read about other children from other cultures and traditions.

Multicultural books also are magic, they instill in children a deeper appreciation for diversity, promote tolerance and breaks stereotypes. Perfect!

I think that books that promote multiculturalism are great resources for parents to raise world citizens that are compassionate, confident and respectful. (And the world definetely needs more individuals who can show kindness to others.)

Multicultural books can take us to far away places whenever we want from the comforts of our home. Whenever we are planning to travel to a new place, I love how a book can easily help my children to get a glimpse of the place that we will be visiting.

And another reason why we should read multicultural books: they are FUN!!

Our Favorite Multicultural Children’s Books

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My children’s favorite author is Monica Brown. Her bilingual books are engaging, educational and colorful. I especially love how My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz. The story is heart melting and captivating! Plus, it brings up great opportunities to teach your children about important social issues.

I hope I can find more children’s books about South America. I want my children to learn more about the place and the people that I love. I’d especially want to see more books about the indigenous people from the Amazon that will celebrate and raise awareness of that beautiful area. Maybe I should start writing one??? 🙂

Below find a few of our favorite multicultural children’s books that my kids enjoy reading!

Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo

Rene Has Two Last Names / Rene tiene dos apellidos

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx

What Can You Do With a Rebozo?/¿Qué puedes hacer con un rebozo?

What Is Your Favorite Multicultural Children’s Book?

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Learn about Celia Cruz with our favorite bilingual books and resources.

Last night we read a bilingual biography series of significant man and women of Latin America. The books of this series are great to introduce important components and people of the Latino culture to our children.

Our favorite book of the series was My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz, written by Monica Brown and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This book talks about the Cuban-born singer known as “La Reina de la Salsa” (The Queen of Salsa Music).

Celia Cruz’s music was well-known in all Latin-America for being vibrant, happy and kind of magic, because everyone agreed that her songs make you want to dance. Celia even said: “when people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don’t want them thinking about when there’s not any money, or when there’s fighting at home. My message is always felicidad – happiness“

The book does a great job describing her charisma and fun personality seen on stage and in her flamboyant attire. But the story of her life also brought many first-time questions from my girl about issues like racism and important events like the Cuban revolution.

After we read our colorful book, I invited my daughter to listen to my favorite song from Celia Cruz, “La vida es un carnaval,” a fun and vibrant song, just like Celia was!

I love how the lyrics of that particular song are a great reminder that life is a carnival and we need to find joy regardless of the hard things.

“Ay, no hay que llorar
(No hay que llorar)
Que la vida es un carnaval
Que es más bello vivir cantando
Ooo ay, no hay que llorar
(No hay que llorar)
Que la vida es una carnaval
Y las penas se van cantando”