Teachers and parents often look for ways to share Hispanic traditions, legends, and culture with their children. This selection of classic picture books brings to life the festive celebrations surrounding Cinco de Mayo by taking a personal look into the lives of Mexican-American families who celebrate the holiday. For more seasonal stories readers can check out picture books concerning the traditions and customs of Las Posadas, Three Kings Day, Carnaval, and The Day of the Dead at the end of this article.
The Mexican-American Celebration of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s surprising defeat of the powerful French Army at the Battle of Pueblo on May the fifth, 1862. The most festive observances of the holiday are actually found among Mexicans living in the United States.
Picture Books Portraying Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate! It’s Cinco de Mayo by Janice Levy depicts a family taking part in the holiday festivities. Papa plays with the mariachi band, Mama Marches in the festive parade, Grandmother cooks a special meal, and Grandfather tells the patriotic story behind the celebration. He proudly shares how the Mexican army, which was little more than a troop of ill-equipped farmers and Indians, stood their ground and defeated the larger French army with all its guns and artillery.
Viva Mexico!: The Story of Benito Juarez and Cinco de Mayo by Argentina Palacios is an illustrated biography of Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian. With dedication and devotion to his country, Benito rose from poverty to fight against the French occupation of his home and become Mexico’s first president.
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico by Diane Hoyt Goldsmith and illustrated by Lawrence Migdale is a photo essay documenting how Rosa, a Mexican-American girl from California, celebrates Cinco de mayo with her family each year.
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday filled with historical and cultural significance for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. The festive parades, parties, and dances of this holiday are just one example of the colorful celebrations and fascinating traditions practiced in Latin American Countries across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Readers who enjoyed these picture books pertaining to the Mexican-American holiday of Cinco de Mayo, are sure to also enjoy other classic children’s books portraying the celebration of the uniquely Latin American holiday, The Day of the Dead, the Latin American celebration of Carnaval, and Hispanic Christmas customs for Three Kings Day and Las Posadas.
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