Caribbean Booklist for Kids!
Title: All the Way to Havana!
By: Margarita Engle, Mike Curato (Illustrator)
Published: 2017
Together, a boy and his parents drive to the city of Havana, Cuba, in their old family car. Along the way, they experience the sights and sounds of the streets--neighbors talking, musicians performing, and beautiful, colorful cars putt-putting and bumpety-bumping along. In the end, though, it's their old car, Cara Cara, that the boy loves best. Age Range: 4- 8 years
Call Number: JPicture Engle.M
Title: Amoya's Big Move
By: Dahlia Richards
Published: 2018
Take a ride with Amoya as she details the day she and her family give away the last of their belongings and prepare to leave Jamaica for Chicago. The book paints a vivid picture of Jamaica as Amoya and her family journey to the airport and say their goodbyes. Age Range: 4-8 years
Call Number: Spanish J Picture Richa.D (Bilingual Book) Also, don't miss Amoya’s Accent by Dahlia Richards (2021 )Age Range: 4-8 years Call Number: Spanish J Picture Richa.D - Bilingual Book)
Title: Anna Carries Water
By: Olive Senior
Published: 2013
Anna fetches water from the spring every day, but she can't carry it on her head like her older brothers and sisters. In this charming and poetic family story set in Jamaica, author Olive Senior shows young readers the power of determination, as Anna achieves her goal and overcomes her fear. Age Range: 3 -7 years
Call Number: JPicture Senio.O
Title: Caribbean Dream
By: Rachel Isadora
Published: 1998
Here is a place where children run, splash, and sing, on an island in the Caribbean, in a world that is nothing short of magical. Rachel Isadora's glowing watercolors and lyrical, evocative text celebrate the things that make the Caribbean a very special home. Age Range: 4-7 years
Call Number: J Picture Isado.R
Title: Caribbean Islands: Facts and Figures
By: Romel Hernandez
Published: 2004
Presents information on the geography, history, economy, and people of the West Indies. Includes a chronology, recipes, project ideas, and more. The islands in the Caribbean are divided into 3 groups: The Greater Antilles (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and more), the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas. Age Range: 9 years and up
Call Number: x972.9 Herna.R
Title: Cooking the Caribbean Way
By: Cheryl Davidson Kaufman
Published: 2002
Offers an introduction to Caribbean cooking, featuring basic recipes, holiday and festival food, and a brief description of the region. Yum: Callaloo and Pepperpot Stews! Banana Fritters! Puerto Rican Asopao! Get cooking! Age Range: 7-10 years
Call Number: x641.59729 Kaufm. C
Title: Coquí in the City
By: Nomar Perez
Published: 2021
A picture book based on the author-illustrator's own experiences, about a boy who moves to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico and realizes that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he initially thought. Age Range: 3 - 7 years
Call Number: JPicture Perez.N
Title: Drum Dream Girl
By: Margarita Engle, Rafael López Illustrator
Published: 2015
Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere. Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Call Number: x786.9 Engle.M
Title: Drummer Boy of John John
By: Mark Greenwood, Frané Lessac illustrator
Published: 2012
A young boy in Trinidad wins the Carnival band competition after he discovers he can create tunes by banging on discarded metal tins and cans. A story inspired by events in the boyhood of Winston 'Spree' Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum. Includes author's note, glossary, and sources. Age Range: 5 - 10 years
Call Number: xBiog Simon.W Green.M
Title: The Field
By: Baptiste Paul
Published: 2018
“Vini! Come! The field calls!” cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pickup soccer (futbol) game. Boys and girls, young and old, players and spectators come running—bearing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport. Age Range: 4 -8 years
Call Number: JPicture Paul.B
Title: I am a Promise
By: Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce
Published: 2020
An inspiring children's picture book about the indomitable spirit of Jamaican six-time Olympic medal winner Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce. Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Call Number: xBiog Frase.S Frase.S
Title: I want to ride the Tap Tap
By: Danielle Joseph, Olivier Ganthier, illustrator
Published: 2020
I Want to Ride the Tap Tap is a day-of-the-week picture book about a family who ride the taxi-bus service--called a tap tap--in Haiti, and the fascinating people they meet along the way. Age Range: 2 - 6 years
Call Number: JPicture Josep.D
Title: Islandborn
By: Junot Diaz, Leo Espinosa (Illustrator)
Published: 2018
Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from and all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island—she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories—joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening—Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Call Number: JPicture Diaz.J
Title: Malaika's Costume
By: Nadia Hohn
Published: 2016
It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, but when the money doesn’t arrive, will Malaika still be able to dance in the parade? Age Range: 3-7 years
Call Number: JPicture Hohn.N
Title: Pura's Cuentos : how Pura Belpré reshaped libraries with her stories
By: Annette Bay Pimentel
Published: 2021
Pura’s abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows ¡Qui-qui-ri-quí! for Señor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Señor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. A lyrical, vibrant tribute to the amazing life and legacy of Pura Belpré, a lauded storyteller, librarian, and pioneer of bilingual storytimes. Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Call Number: xBiog Belpr.P Pimen.A
Title: Sugar Cane: the Caribbean Rapunzel
By: Patricia Storace
Published: 2007
"You live in a tower without a stair,
Sugar Cane, Sugar Cane, let down your hair." Stolen away from her parents on her first birthday by island sorceress Madam Fate, beautiful Sugar Cane grows up in a tower overlooking the sea. With only a pet green monkey named Callaloo for company, Sugar Cane is lonely-her only consolation is her love of music. Age Range: 6-9 years
Call Number: x396.209729 Stora.P
Title: A Song of Frutas
By: Margarita Engle
Published: 2021
From Pura Belpré Award–winning author Margarita Engle comes a lively, rhythmic picture book about a little girl visiting her grandfather who is a pregonero—a singing street vendor in Cuba—and helping him sell his frutas. Includes historical and cultural notes. Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Call Number: JPicture Engle.M
Title: Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees: Lullabies and Nursery Rhymes from West Africa and the Caribbean
By: Natalie Soussana, editor
Published: 2019
"A chorus of drums, woodwinds, strings, creoles and indigenous languages will delight the ears at bedtime." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
For this small-size picture book, musical artist Soussana compiles treasured nursery rhymes and lullabies from Caribbean and West African countries. Accompanying music is included via CD and available for download. A striking and wholehearted celebration of music and heritage. Age Range: Birth-3 years
Call Number: JUV KIT x782.42 Songs
Title: Tim Duncan: Power Forward
By: Percy Lead
Published: 2022
Tim Duncan trained to be an Olympic swimmer before beginning to play basketball at 14. Follow the star forward from his home in the Virgin Islands to the top of the NBA and beyond. Age Range: 7 - 10 years
Call Number: J 796.323092 L484 - NEW Niles Maine District Library (ordered by Evanston; not yet in)
Title: To Carnival
By: Baptiste Paul
Published: 2021
The sights, sounds and tastes of vibrant Saint Lucia come to life in this cumulative #OwnVoices tale of a girl's journey to Carnival. When a series of unexpected delays disrupts her journey to the big parade, Melba must adjust both her expectations and her route to the festivities. Who will she meet and what will she learn along the way? Age Range: 4 - 10 years
Call Number: JPicture Paul.B