Kids’ Books in Spanish: More Variety and Authenticity Abound by Jessica Levine Sep 19, 2023 | Filed in Reviews+ 0 As the demand for kids’ books in Spanish continues to grow with the U.S. Latinx population, publishers are both building and diversifying their Spanish-language lists. 'Demand is always higher than supply for Spanish books in the U.S.',

 says Silvia Matute, president of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial.

Historically, most Spanish-language originals came out of Spain. But in the U.S. Latinx population, people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban, Dominican, Guatemalan, Colombian, and Honduran origin all outnumber Spaniards. Catalina Holguín, founder of Colombia-based MakeMake, points out that it’s important that Latinx children have access to books from authors whose origins are as diverse as their own.

'Books written in the original language by different Latin American authors can provide readers with stories that actually represent the feelings and concerns of a community,' Matute says. 'They use words and turns of phrase that represent the way Spanish is actually spoken by native speakers [in that region]. And reading beautifully illustrated and designed books that were originally produced in Latin American countries can enhance a sense of pride and self-worth that is important to cultivate in Spanish-speaking communities.'

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