Latin America is a region composed of over 30 countries and dependent territories. The region is home to many different cultures and practices, so the artistic styles including visual art, music, dance, and literature are all uniquely different depending on which area you go! 

Visual Art The common thread linking Latin American art is a shared cultural history combining Native American, European and African influence. Colonialism from the Spanish and Portuguese also incited the rise of Christianity in Latin America. The religious symbolism can still be seen in certain Latin architecture and art. Learn More Here!

Dance You probably know more than you think about Latin American dances. The mambo and the infamous conga line (always a fun party dance!) hail from Cuba. With the introduction of the guitar from Spain, new music and subsequently new dances were created to match the instrumentation. Learn More about Cuban Dance

Music Latin American music is so popular now that you can recognize it when you hear it. Just reading the song titles La Bamba and La Cucuracha probably have you humming the tunes! Latin American music is varied and expressive. While indigenous people played music with their own instruments such as the tun in Mayan culture and the maracas from many regions, European stringed instruments have become popular. Read More! The toe-tapping, finger-snapping beats of Latin music can be traced all the way back to the 1600’s. 

Literature Latin America has a rich history of oral storytelling. Myths and songs were spread verbally until colonization introduced a written language. Find Out More There are many Latinx authors who share their wonderful and beautiful with us through writing! 

HERE’S OUR PICK FOR INTRODUCING YOUR KIDDO TO ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT LATINA MUSICIANS. PERFECT FOR HATCH READERS (PICTURE BOOKS).

The Life of Selena / La vida de Selena by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, Citlali Reyes (Illustrator)

Selena’s career started at a young age when she became lead singer in her family’s band, Selena Y Los Dinos. She went on to become an award-winning artist with albums like Amor Prohibido and Selena Live, and earned the title “Queen of Tejano Music.” Your little one will learn that Selena’s favorite food was pizza and that the most important people in the world to her were her familia and fans. (Lil’ Libros)

IF YOU’D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LATIN AMERICAN DANCES, CHECK OUT CELIA CRUZ, A DANCER THAT POPULARIZED SALSA DANCING IN LATIN AMERICA. THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR NEST JR. READERS (7 – 9 YEARS OLD).

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers, Julie Maren (Illustrator)

Everyone knows the flamboyant, larger-than-life Celia Cruz, the extraordinary salsa singer who passed away in 2003, leaving millions of fans brokenhearted. indeed, there was a magical vibrancy to the Cuban salsa singer. to hear her voice or to see her perform was to feel her life-affirming energy deep within you. relish the sizzling sights and sounds of her legacy in this glimpse into Celia’s childhood and her inspiring rise to worldwide fame and recognition as the Queen of salsa. Her inspirational life story is sure to sweeten your soul. (Penguin Young Readers Group)

NEST READERS (9-11) WOULD ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MEXICAN ARTISTS!

Frida Kahlo by Janet Boris, Walter Hopps (Editor), Deborah Schwartz (Editor)

The Art Ed Books and Kits include: paper, non_toxic paint, oil pastels, pencils, brushes, palettes, glue—whatever the artist actually uses or used. In addition, a 24_page full_color book in each kit provides a biography of the artist and discusses his or her life and career, with full_color art reproductions as well as photographs of the artist in the studio. And, an 8_page activity book provides easy_to_follow, step_by_step instructions to help children create their own masterpieces. 

Each kit is approved by the individual artist or his/her estate.

With Art Ed Books and Kits, children not only learn about great artists, they can learn to paint like them, too. Art Ed is the ideal kit for any aspiring artist!

A portion of the proceeds from Art Ed Books and Kits benefits Studio in A School.

Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907—1954) is known as much for her passionate, tumultuous life as for her arresting art. Mingling Surrealism, folk art, and autobiography, Kahlo’s art is entirely unique.

Art supplies: 5 tubes of non_toxic paint, 5 oil pastels, 10 sheets of art paper, 3 paint brushes, mixing palette, and an 8_page diary booklet (ABRAMS)

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MEXICAN AUTHOR, SANDRA CISNEROS’ WIDELY ACCLAIMED THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET IS PERFECT FOR SOAR READERS (12+).

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street is the remarkable story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she will become. Told in a series of vignettes-sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous-Sandra Cisneros’ masterpiece is a classic story of childhood and self-discovery. Few other books in our time have touched so many readers. (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group)