Latino children's literature

Thematically, Latino children’s literature often touches upon many topics including identity and immigration and follow the styles of oral traditions, folklore, and memoirs, oftentimes incorporating Spanish vernacular or phrases.

During this time period, Spanish-language newspapers circulated throughout the United States with the inclusion of different stories and poems[3] Another notable contribution to this subgenre's beginnings, is one made by Father Felix Varela, who published a Spanish magazine which included religious texts for children.

More prominently, in 1898, a magazine entitled La Edad de Oro or The Golden Age, was published and written by Cuban poet José Marti for children in the Americas.

[1] Later in the century during the 1960s to early 1970s, Latino children's literature became popular alongside the Chicano movement, which embodied social issues, peace, and education.

[8][1] However, the amount of Latino children books actually published stayed very low, which Ruth Quiroa argues in Diversity in Youth Literature was a result of conservative politics in the 1980s.

[8] Latino children's literature gained additional recognition during the 1990s when author Alma Flor Ada launched a book series that explored these messages of identity.

[7] Latino children’s literature encompasses a diverse array of stylistic choices such as the usage of metaphors, similes expressed through riddles, proverbs/sayings, tongue twisters, and nursery rhymes.

[7] In order to bring authenticity to the text authors will sometimes include Spanish or Chicano vernacular and phrases, or offer a completely bilingual version of a story, a stylistic choice that is very specific to this body of literature.

[20] In addition to magical realism, memoirs are part of the Latino body of work that is incorporated into children’s literature, with Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street being a prime example of this.