In this week’s edition of Throwback Thursday, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month!
From September 15 to October 15, we honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of those who trace their roots to Latin and South America. Fun fact: the holiday begins in the middle of September because in 1821, five Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - declared their independence on the 15th. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence in September, on the 16th and 18th respectively. (Although, they both declared their independence a bit earlier, in 1810.)
Here is a collection of some titles from the Scholastic Archive featuring stories by or about those from the Latinx and Hispanic communities:
Arroz con leche selected and illustrated by Lulu Delacre, 1989
Here is a colorful array of cheerful songs, games, and rhymes mined from Latin America’s extraordinarily rich heritage.
Pictured above:
¿De quién es este sombrero? by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Mary Lynn Blasutta, 1992
De quién es este sombrero? Es de una bombera.
Todo tiene nombre by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Tom Lulevitch, 1992
Todo tiene nombre. La ciudad tiene nombre.
El rancho despierta by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, 1992
Con un canto despierta el gallo.
Una camisa para Carlos by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Jon Levy Lieberman, 1992
Ven, Carlos, a comprar una camisa.
Pictured above:
Canto una canción by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Glen Davis, 1992
Con mi guitarra canto una canción del desierto.
¡Vamos al supermercado! by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Doug Cushman, 1992
Vamos al supermercado a comprar huevos…
Los ojos by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by John Hart, 1992
Hay ojos tiernos.
Mi casa by Cecilia Avalos, illustrated by Margaret Hewitt
En mi casa vivo yo.
In the Barrio by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Liliana Wilson Grez, 1994
In the barrio, I see children playing in the schoolyard.
Cocoa Ice by Diana Appelbaum, pictures by Holly Meade, 1997
On the island of Santo Domingo, the sun bakes the earth until it is hot and steamy like a roasted plantain.
Although not quite a throwback, here’s a bonus image of our first Club Leo flyer from 2001, our Spanish-language flyer by Scholastic Book Clubs:
Special thanks to Gina Asprocolas and the Scholastic librarians for their help with this series!
Raisa Masood
