Need a Mother’s Day Gift? These Books by Latina Authors Say It Best
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 11. How are you going to celebrate?
I enjoy breakfast in bed. Some years, I prioritize self-care and get a massage, facial, and/or get my hair done. Other years, I spend it at home relaxing with my kiddos. But one tradition that has stood the test of time is reading picture books that center loving mothers.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of expressing gratitude towards the incredible mothers in our lives. Picture books offer a beautiful medium to convey messages. They can be of love, appreciation, or the unique bond between a mother and child. Whether through touching illustrations, heartfelt storytelling, or valuable life lessons, these books can create lasting memories. And strengthen the mother-child relationship.
For example, my mom was a busy single mom. She did not get to read to me before bed every night because she worked and went to school. But she carved out time to read to me on Mother’s Day. She started this tradition that I now practice with my daughters.
I hope you enjoy this list of 15 books written by Latina/o/e authors to kickstart your Mother’s Day celebrations. Make sure you request them from your local library, and if you love these books as much as I do, buy them for a Mom you love who needs to be reminded how amazing she is.
Picture Books Perfect For Mother-Child Read-Aloud
Your Mama by NoNieqa Ramos and Jacqueline Alcántara
A sweet twist on the age-old “yo mama” joke, celebrating fierce moms everywhere with playful lyricism and gorgeous illustrations. “Yo’’ mama so sweet, she could be a bakery. She dresses so fine, she could have a clothing line. And, even when you mess up, she’s so forgiving, she lets you keep on living.” Heartwarming and richly imagined, it honors the love, hard work, and dedication of mamas everywhere.
Mamá’s Panza by Isabel Quintero and Iliana Galvez
A body-positive picture book about a young boy’s love for his mother and her belly: everyone has a panza—it can be big and round, soft and small, or somewhere in between. But his favorite panza is his Mamá’s. Her panza was his first home; it cradled and held him. When he feels shy and needs a place to hide or wants somewhere to rest during a bedtime story, Mamá’s panza is always there.
Me & Mama By Cozbi A. Cabrera
Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest days. On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon, the clouds are wearing shadows, and the wind paints the window with water beads, I want to be everywhere Mama is. With lyrical prose and a tender touch, it is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together.
Mamiachi & Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band by Jolene and Dakota Gutiérrez, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Rosa is ready to take the stage with her mami and their all-female mariachi band—if her nerves would let her! As they suit up in their dazzling charras, Rosa wonders: What if the audience doesn’t like me? With encouragement from her “mamiachi” and madrinas, Rosa finds the courage to let the music guide her. This vibrant celebration of sisterhood and community provides an interesting perspective on the rise of female mariachis, with rich back matter exploring the history and heart of this beloved Mexican art form.
The Bronx Is My Home by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and Kim Holt
Welcome to The Bronx, New York! Discover the history, landscape, cuisines, cultures, and activities unique to the Bronx in this picture book celebrating hometown pride. From sunrise to sunset, Santiago and Mami enjoy fresh cannolis on Arthur Avenue, smelling the salty sea air of Pelham Bay, petting horses at the Bronx Equestrian Center, and roaring at lions at the Bronx Zoo. This energetic and joyful family story offers a journey through and a love letter to The Bronx, while also honoring Bronx heroes.
Middle Grade Books
By the time our kiddos begin to read middle grade books, the protagonist is supposed to have tremendous agency, and the parent (and in this case, the mother) plays less of an active role. The main character must solve the problem and strive for what they want with little help from adults. Nevertheless, there are books with a loving mother who provides wisdom and loving guidance so their child can become the best version of themselves.
Hands by Torrey Maldonado
From the author of What Lane? and Tight comes a fast-paced story about a boy who needs to decide how he will take control of his future. When Trev’s threatening stepdad returns, he turns to boxing to protect his mother and sisters, despite warnings from those who see his artistic talent as his true path forward. But advice about “someday” doesn’t help him survive today. Trev must decide how to use his hands—to fight, create, or carve out a new future entirely.
On These Magic Shores by Yamile Mendez
Twelve-year-old Minerva Soledad Miranda has big dreams—but even bigger responsibilities, like caring for her younger sisters while her mom works two jobs. Unexpectedly, Mamá doesn’t come home. Did ICE snap up Mamá? Will they be sent to foster homes or holding centers for migrant kids? Even though they are worried about their Mama, they must keep her disappearance a secret. As everything falls apart, mysterious signs of magic and unexpected help appear. With courage, hope, and a touch of magic, Minerva discovers the strength to face the hardest choice of her life.
Doodles from the Boogie Down by Stephanie Rodriguez
In this heartfelt coming-of-age graphic novel, Dominican American eighth grader Steph dreams of becoming an artist, but her strict mom has other plans. While her friends prepare for high school entrance exams, Steph secretly sets her sights on LaGuardia High School for the Arts. Caught between her creative ambitions and her family’s expectations, she starts keeping secrets to chase her dream. Set in the Bronx in the early 2000s, Doodles from the Boogie Down captures the highs and lows of growing up, friendship, and finding your voice.
Adult Books for Mamás
Women Surrounded by Water by Patricia Coral
In this memoir, Patricia Coral reflects on growing up in Puerto Rico surrounded by strong women, unfulfilled dreams, and the weight of the patriarchy on the unfree island. After marrying young and facing a turbulent relationship, Coral makes the difficult decision to leave, only for Hurricane Maria to pull her heart back home. Blending personal and natural disasters, she explores love, beauty, family, language, loss, and self-discovery, which are made possible only when we choose what to leave behind.
Tías and Primas by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez
In Tías and Primas, Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez reflects on the complex, vibrant women (blood relatives or chosen family) who shaped her life—from the outspoken tía to the prized prima to the quietly resilient matriarch. Drawing on her Nicaraguan roots, she unpacks how generational trauma, colonization, and sexism ripple through Latinx families. This powerful follow-up to For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts is both a personal reckoning and a tribute to the women who raise us. It’s a love letter to Latinas navigating identity, family, and healing.
¡Viva Latina! by Sandra Velasquez and illustrated by Sandra Lucia Diaz
¡Viva Latina! is a vibrant celebration of Latina power, sisterhood, and resilience, featuring stories and quotes from 50 trailblazing women across history, business, politics, and the arts.
From Ana Flores and Vanessa Santos Fein of #WeAllGrow Latina to author and actor Angel Aviles, this collection offers inspiration for every stage of life. Rich with personal reflections, cultural wisdom, and stunning illustrations by Latina artist Sandra Lucia Diaz, the book honors heritage while empowering readers to defy expectations and embrace their full potential. With sidebars on Latin folklore and traditions, ¡Viva Latina! is both a beautiful keepsake and a powerful call to action.
Mamá Didn’t Raise a Pendeja by Carolina Acosta and Aralis Mejia
Mamá Didn’t Raise a Pendeja is a bold, no-fluff self-help book packed with blunt, hilarious, and brutally honest “anti-affirmations” rooted in Latina wisdom. Created by first-gen Latinas Carolina Acosta and Aralis Mejia, it channels the tough love of abuelitas, mamás, and tías to offer real talk on everything from love to career moves. With sass and sincerity, it delivers life lessons meant to ground you, push you, and crack you up. Perfect for anyone craving straight-up advice with cultural pride and zero sugarcoating.
Self Care for Latinas by Raquel Reichard
Self-Care for Latinas offers over 100 practical exercises designed to help Latinas prioritize mental health, manage stress, and embrace joy. From processing microaggressions to navigating burnout, this guide empowers women to put themselves first in a world that often asks them to shrink. Rooted in cultural understanding and radical self-love, it’s a toolkit for healing and resilience. It’s time to reclaim your well-being—because your life and joy matter.
