Summary: In The Shark That Taught Me English, a young girl named Sofia comes to the United States from Mexico with her family and doesn’t speak a word of English. When she arrives at school, she struggles with the seemingly insurmountable language barrier. Sofia only scrapes by with the help of another Spanish-speaking student, until one day her teacher develops a simple yet ingenious method to help Sofia understand English. The shark that taught me English brings to life the linguistic experiences of generations of immigrants who struggle to learn a new language. In this book a young schoolgirl learns that even something as dangerous as a shark can bring positive change in one’s life.

Summary: The second installment in the award-winning Teo character series, Teo in Palo Verde continues the story of Teo and his family who have just moved to a completely new area in Los Angeles. Though fast to find friends and happy in his new home, Teo soon learns that others are not as fortunate. Teo’s innate curiosity and good nature lead him to reach out and do what he can to help a young girl and her grandmother. This adorable story about helping others teaches us that even the smallest token of kindness is not only greatly appreciated, but can help truly connect us to other people.

Summary: In Carlito’s Story, we are reintroduced to the Rodriguez family from Graciela’s Dream. This time we follow Carlito, the younger brother of Graciela, through his adolescent journey. Though naturally creative, Carlito is held back by the gang lifestyle that is idealized on the streets of poor neighborhoods in the big city. This book outlines one family’s attempt at rerouting a lost child with limitless potential before he goes too far down the wrong path.

Summary: Reflections of an immigrant arriving in a new land, where he finds that people all want the same thing: to have hope and make their dreams a reality. Illustrated with original evocative paintings.

Ages: 5-8, 38 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: A sweet story about the preservation of love across generations and the meaning of the Day of the Dead, a special time of bittersweet remembrance and family traditions.

Ages: 5-8, 24 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: A classic story of the relationship between mother and child from the child’s point of view. Touching with humorous illustrations.

Ages: 2-5, 18 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: The littlest ant in the world slips in the snow and seeks justice from the village judge. In the end, she learns that everything is connected to everything else and that we are all responsible for each other. A beautifully illustrated book colored in a warm Southwestern palette.

Ages: 5-8, 36 pages, 10” x 8”

Summary: Inspired by the true stories of farm workers who became winemakers in the Napa Valley region of California, Vines of the Earth is a story about the satisfaction of dreaming and fulfilling big dreams.

Ages: 5-8, 26 color pages, 8” x 10”

Summary: Once upon a time, there was a jaguar that lived in the jungle. She had many beautiful spots on her body. Learn to count her spots one by one!

Ages: 2-5, 20 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: A little girl admires her big sister and dreams of being just like her. Eye-catching, whimsical illustrations.

Ages: 2-7, 18 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: Aimed at middle-school Latino students who need to start thinking about college, the book, depicts the struggle of one young girl as she tries to convince her parents to support her college-going goal.

Ages 12-18 53 black and white pages (53 in English and 53 in Spanish, 4" x 6"

Summary: Family stories are the life blood of families. They help us remember our early years and tell us something about how we became who we are. In Family Stories, ten gifted artists tell their most memorable story from their childhood and then illustrate it. The result is a rich cultural treasure trove of story and image.

Ages: 5-8, 28 color pages, 8"x 10"

Summary: A story of filial love and devotion in the face of poverty, Teo and The Brick is also a glimpse, from the vantage point of a six-year-old, of a long gone time in Los Angeles history.

Ages 5-8 28 color pages, 8” x 10”