These recommendations come from my own reading.

A Box Full of Kittens by Sonia Manzano and illustrated by Matt Phelan 

“Ruthie, a girl who loves Superman and kittens, is asked to keep her aunt Juanita company. Aunt Juanita is about to have a baby and it’s hard for her to climb the stairs—and she’s hungry. Ruthie, intent on being a superhero, fetches sweet treats—first a cherry piraquero (snow cone) and then a coquito (coconut ices). On Ruthie’s third errand, the owner of the neighborhood deli shows her some kittens. Ruthie is so entranced that she barely realizes her aunt is in labor and misses the chance to really help. (Picture book. 3-6)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It a Library Near You on WorldCat

As previously mentioned in my prominent author list, author Sonia Manzano played Maria on Sesame Street before going on to her career as an author. Illustrator Matt Phelan has also written an award-winning early reader series, Plum.

Just a minute: a trickster tale and counting book by Yuyi Morales

“When skeletal Señor Calavera appears at the door, Grandma Beetle bids him wait while she sweeps ONE house (“UNO”), makes TWO pots of tea (“DOS”), grinds THREE pounds of corn for tortillas (“TRES”), and so on, culminating in a festive birthday party at which Señor Calavera finds himself guest number TEN (“DIEZ”). As Grandma, round and brown, with sparkles in her eyes and gray hair both, bustles about, the expression on Señor Calavera’s sugar-skull face grows more and more hilariously impatient—but by party’s end, he’s departed, leaving a thank-you note promising to be back for Grandma Beetle’s next birthday. (Picture book. 6-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

I previously featured another Yuyi Morales book, Bright Star. This one would be a charming edition to any counting discussion. 

My papi has a motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña 

“A unicorn-decorated purple helmet can’t hide the grin of the young girl tightly gripping the waist of her carpenter father, who’s hunched over his blazing motorcycle as a comet tail of sawdust streams behind them. Basking in her father’s wordless expression of love, she watches the flash of colors zip by as familiar landmarks blend into one another. Changes loom all around them, from the abandoned raspado (snow cone) shop to the housing construction displacing old citrus groves. Yet love fills in the spaces between nostalgia and the daily excitement of a rich life shared with neighbors and family. (Picture book. 7-11)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

Last year, the Latinx KidLit Book Festival celebrated the ten-year anniversary of Quintero’s YA novel, Gabi, a Girl in Pieces. If you want to experience some Quintero magic for a younger crowd, this book is great. I’ve also added her more recent picture book Mamá’s Panza to my to-be-read list. 

Where wonder grows by Xelena González and illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia 

“A group of dreamers follows Grandma to her special garden. They spread a plush blanket upon the ground and gather the “magic rocks and relics from nature.” The young dreamers sit and wonder as Grandma holds the rocks in her hands, calling on the fiery wisdom of the ancestors molded into testaments of time. What about “the ones with super powers?” ask the dreamers. Grandma takes a crystal—shot through with shades of plum and streaks of cerulean—and speaks of curanderas who harness the healing powers of “quartz of all kinds.” Next, consider the might of coral reefs and shells, deep in the depths where water smooths even the most stubborn rock. Grandma and her dreamers then ponder the meteorites in their hands, envisioning the arcs that these starry fragments undertook to arrive on Earth.Simply dazzling. (rock facts) (Picture book. 5-10)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

If you enjoy this book, the Kirkus reviews it has a soul-sister book in All Around Us.

Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo  and illustrated by Eliza Kinkz 

“Hooray, it’s Saturday! Jesús can help his gardener father with the family business. Jesús is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Papá, is “also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!” Jesús gets ready as Mamá reminds them “to drink lots of agua.” Piling into their trusty van with its supplies and intoxicating smell of gasoline, oil, and “yesterday’s cut grass,” Jesús and Papá head out. First stop: the Saldañas’ house, where Jesús gives water to some thirsty old cats, Papá, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Papá tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego’s super big house with its tiny dog, Jesús hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop Número Tres, the magical water-jug clock is out of water. Time to go home? But there are still 11 more houses to go. Oh no! Where did Jesús go wrong? (Picture book. 4-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

In putting together this list, I was excited to learn that there’s a sequel to this book: Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas. In addition, I’ve already added illustrator’s Eliza Kinkz’s new book Mistaco to my to-be-read list. If you want to see more of Kinkz’s work, check out her classroom workshop on drawing from the Latinx KidLit Book Festival. 

Carmela full of wishes by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson 

“When readers meet 7-year-old Carmela, she is scootering past workers in fields, excited to tag along with her older brother on her birthday. It’s fun for her, but it’s also necessary: Their mother works in housekeeping for a fancy hotel, and their father was a day laborer who is no longer home. As they run errands, Carmela plays the annoying little sister, but when she falls off her scooter and loses a dandelion wish she was counting on, her brother takes her to a place where her wish is carried further than she could have imagined. (Picture book. 3-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat
There was a time when de la Peña’s and Robinson’s Last Stop on Market Street book was everywhere. It’s a great book. I think Carmela Full of Wishes is even better.