It's important to me as a Latina mom and American citizen that my multicultural daughter grows up learning about her native country, The United States of America.  While we celebrate our Hispanic heritage and European heritage, we make sure to honor and celebrate our American culture and country as well.  With 4th of July just around the corner, these are our favorite books that honor America in English and Spanish.

Books in English and Spanish that Celebrate America

1. Olivia Forms a Band or in Spanish  Olivia Forma una Banda 

By far, my daughter's top pick about Independence Day.  This is a must have book.  We have read this book countless times in both English and Spanish.  It is a very entertaining and funny book.  Olivia books are so much fun and in Spanish will help your child stay motivated and engaged in Spanish.

Concept:

Everyone's favorite Caldecott Honor-winning porcine diva is back and with fanfare! There are going to be fireworks tonight, and Olivia can hardly wait to hear the band. But when she finds out that there isn't going to be a band, she can't understand why not. How can there be fireworks without a band?! And so Olivia sets to putting a band together herself...all by herself. Using pots, pans, her brother's toys, and even her father's suspenders, Olivia forms a band spectacular enough to startle any audience. Lavishly brought to life in Ian Falconer's signature style, and introducing an eye-catching shade of blue, here is Olivia doing what Olivia does best -- making noise.

Book Info:

Page Number: 50 Pages

Type of Books: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD

Language: Spanish

Reading Age: 3 to 8 years old

2. F for Flag

This is a great and simple book to teach kids about the flag, why we honor it, and it's history.  Perfect for preschool aged kids.  My daughter enjoyed it.  I like that it shows diversity and reminds us that America is for everyone. 

Concept:

June 14 is Flag Day, but with so many American flags proudly displayed, every day seems   like Flag Day. Perfect for reading together with a young child, F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family.

Book Info:

Page Number: 24 Pages

Type of Books: Paperback

Language: English

Reading Age: 3 to 5 years old

 

3. What Does It Mean to Be American?

Another great and diverse book.  This gets that conversation started as to what it means to be American.  It shows diversity, talks about our freedoms and rights and at the end of the book gives examples of different accomplished Americans and what they did to contribute to society.  Unfortunately, this one is not available in Spanish.

Concept:

This patriotic picture book is perfect for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Election Day, or any day you want to share with your child what it means to be an American. After all, Fourth of July isn't the only time to celebrate what makes America special!

While politics seem to divide our country into the two opposing teams of red and blue, one truth remains: we are all Americans. But what does that mean?

Gold Moonbeam Award Winner!

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist!

Foreword Reviews INDIES Finalist!

This continuation of the popular, award-winning What Does It Mean to Be...? series provides a nonpartisan point of view perfect for any and all Americans who are proud of who they are―and where they come from, regardless of their political views.

 

Book Info:

Page Number: 40 Pages

Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

Language: English

Reading Age: 4 to 8 years old

 

4. Paloma Wants to be Lady Freedom

I love this book.  It is a Spanglish book that honors patriotic immigrants.  It reminded me of my father and the day we became American citizens, how proud he was and how he encouraged us to always be patriotic.  In this book, a little girl misses out on a birthday party to go to Washington D.C because her father has become an American citizen and what she discovers while she was there.  This one is a keeper!

Concept:

Today we spend so much time talking about diversity and what makes us different that we're forgetting to tell our children stories about what unites us as Americans. We have so many beautiful and important things in common—our history, our love of freedom, and our pursuit of the American Dream.

Rachel Campos-Duffy is a mother of nine and contributor on the Fox News network where she gives her honest take on politics, culture, and parenting.

Inspired by her immigrant mother's patriotism and the excitement of her own daughter's first visit to Washington, D.C., Rachel shares a story near and dear to her heart. It's a tale that takes the reader on a little girl's adventure inside the U.S. Capitol. While lost inside the magnificent building, Paloma becomes enchanted with the statue of Lady Freedom, learns about her immigrant father's dreams, and discovers her own courage and love for America."

"Paloma's journey leaves her heart filled with love for family, freedom, and America—our home. It's my prayer that her story will do the same for your child or grandchild."  —Rachel Campos-Duffy

Book Info:

Page Number: 40 Pages

Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover

Language: English

Reading Age: 3 to 8 years old

5. America : A Patriotic Primer

Overall this is a great general book about America to have.  Victoria, my daughter  loved learning about the different things about America.  A fun A -Z book to add to your library.

Concept:

America: A Patriotic Primer is a succinct history of the United States, an ABC of the principles on which this country was founded, and a book for children and families to pore over, discuss, and cherish.

A is for America,

the land that we love.

B is for the Birthday

of this country of ours....

To choose the twenty-six people and ideas that comprise the book, Lynne Cheney has drawn on a lifetime of learning about the American past, and on the inspiration that comes from witnessing recent history firsthand. Illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser imbues Mrs. Cheney's words with childlike joy through her exuberant drawings. Together they have created a patriotic primer, a book that teaches history by celebrating the diversity, tenacity, and faith of the American people.

This A to Z of America frames the story -- and the miracle -- of our country.

Book Info:

Page Number: 40 Pages

Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

Language: English

Reading Age: 6 years old and up

 

6. All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel

This is such a cute book about an immigrant story and how generation past generation each generation changed but the heart of their family didn't.  Although it is an Italian family, this is a story about many immigrant families that come to America and find strength in their family and community.  It's also a great conversation starter, where did our family come from?

Concept:

“This immigration story is universal.” —School Library Journal, Starred

Dan Yaccarino’s great-grandfather arrived at Ellis Island with a small shovel and his parents’ good advice: “Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family.” With simple text and warm, colorful illustrations, Yaccarino recounts how the little shovel was passed down through four generations of this Italian-American family—along with the good advice.

It’s a story that will have kids asking their parents and grandparents: Where did we come from? How did our family make the journey all the way to America?

 

Book Info:

Page Number: 40 Pages

Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

Language: English

Reading Age: 5 to 9 years old

 

7. The 50 States

Kids will love this book...um I love this book.  It is colorful and has so many details about each state.  It's also a great book if you're homeschooling your kids.  This one is definitely a good one to own and the have an activity book that goes along with it.

Concept:

In 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps, explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming and the nation’s capital to discover more than 2,000 facts that celebrate the people, cities, nature, and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. You'll also get an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.

Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe…bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky…The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues…be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty, and diversity of the United States in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.

On each wonderful map, find:

A welcome box with a short introduction to the state

Key facts, including the capital; state bird, flower, and tree; and statehood order

State icons celebrating the state’s people, places, and history

Six inspiring people who have a connection to the state

Region spotlight bubbles to allow you to discover more about one particular place

A moments to remember box with a list of significant dates and their events in the state’s history

Each state’s map also contains information about which states it neighbors, its bodies of water and borders, as well as where it is situated in the country. Did you know that while Hawaii shares its border with no one, both Missouri and Tennessee border eight other states? Many state parks, battlefields, national forests, and reservations are also included to inspire you to respect and explore the great outdoors.

So pack your bags and say later ‘gator…the great States await!

Also available from the 50 States series:  50 Cities of the U.S.A., The 50 States: Activity Book, The 50 States: Fun Facts, 50 Trailblazers of the 50 States, and I Spy the 50 States.

Book Info:

Page Number: 112 Pages

Type of Books: Hardcover

Language: English

Reading Age: 8 to 11 years old

 

8. Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States or in Spanish Nuestra América: 30 latinas/latinos inspiradores que han forjado la historia de Los Estados Unidos  

This is a great book for Latino and multicultural families to own and have as a coffee table book :) Its not a book to sit and read at once but one for the family to reference time and time again.  It features so many notable contributing Latinos.  It's also available in Spanish, which I love.

Concept:

Celebrate 30 influential Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs in U.S. history with Nuestra América, a fully-illustrated anthology from the Smithsonian Latino Center.

Nuestra América highlights the inspiring stories of thirty Latina/o/xs throughout history and their incredible contributions to the cultural, social, and political character of the United States.

The stories in this book cover each figure's cultural background, childhood, and the challenges and opportunities they met in pursuit of their goals. A glossary of terms and discussion question-filled reading guide, created by the Smithsonian Latino Center, encourage further research and exploration. Twenty-three of the stories featured in this anthology will also be included in the future Molina Family Latino Gallery, the first national gallery dedicated to Latina/o/xs at the Smithsonian.

This book is a must-have for teachers looking to create a more inclusive curriculum, Latina/o/x youth who need to see themselves represented as an important part of the American story, and all parents who want their kids to have a better understanding of American history. Featuring beautiful portraits by Gloria Félix, this is a book that children (and adults) will page through and learn from again and again.

Nuestra América profiles the following notable figures:

Sylvia Acevedo, Luis Álvarez, Pura Belpré, Martha E. Bernal, Julia de Burgos, César Chávez, Sandra Cisneros, Roberto Clemente, Celia Cruz, Olga E. Custodio, Óscar de la Renta, Jaime Escalante, Macario García, Emma González, Laurie Hernández, Juan Felipe Herrera, Dolores Huerta, Jennifer Lopez, Xiuhtezcatl Martínez, Sylvia Méndez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, C. David Molina, Rita Moreno, Ellen Ochoa, Jorge Ramos, Sylvia Rivera, María Elena Salinas, Sonia Sotomayor, Dara Torres, and Robert Unanue.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found books that your family can enjoy to celebrate America whether it's the Fourth of July, Flag Day, or any day in English and Spanish.  

If you're planning or currently raising your child to be connected to their Latino roots or to be bilingual, be sure to sign up for our newsletter for a free E-book, tips and recommendations on raising bilingual and bilcultural kids and some family gear.  You can also tune in to our community of moms on The Latina Mom Legacy podcast where we empower you to connect, create, and carry on your Hispanic heritage.

Thanks for stopping by :)