9 Best Cinco De Mayo Books For Kids (2024)
We love to read and always buy new books for each holiday. These are the best Cinco de Mayo books for kids.
On May 5th children across the United States will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. It is a great opportunity to introduce them to this Mexican holiday with our favorite Mexican-themed books.
Some interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo include:
- It is not Mexico Independence Day (September 16th)
- The first Cinco de Mayo celebration was held in California in 1863.
- Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in Mexico.
Scroll to the end of the page for some free Cinco de Mayo printables that you can add to your books.
**There may be affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.**
Best Books about Cinco de Mayo
These are the best Cinco de Mayo books for kids.
While not all of these books are specifically about Cinco de Mayo. They are all related to Mexican culture and cuisine and would be great reads for children who are learning about the holiday.
Taco Tuesday Finger Puppet Board Book is an adorable book that features finger puppets and a rhyming story about a group of animal friends who love tacos.
This book is perfect for young children and introduces them to Mexican food and the joy of sharing meals with friends.
Recommended age rating: 1-3 years.
Cinco de Mayo (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme) is a fun and engaging book that explores the traditions and celebrations of Cinco de Mayo through rhyme and rhythm.
This book includes colorful illustrations and a glossary of Spanish terms, making it easy for young readers to learn and understand the holiday.
Recommended age rating: 3-7 years.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is a silly and entertaining book that tells the story of a little boy who throws a party for dragons and serves them tacos.
This book is not specifically about Cinco de Mayo, but it is a fun and engaging read for kids who are learning about Mexican culture and traditions.
Recommended age rating: 3-7 years.
Chicks and Salsa is a hilarious and engaging children's book. The story revolves around the farm animals of Nuthatcher Farm, who are tired of eating the same old chicken feed every day.
Mrs. Nuthatcher, the farmer's wife, notices the animals' frustration and decides to throw a fiesta for them. The animals then work together to gather ingredients and make the perfect salsa. However, when they run out of chips, they come up with a creative solution to keep the party going.
This book is a great introduction to hispanic culture and cuisine, and the illustrations are lively and colorful.
Recommended age rating: 4-8 years.
Celebrating Cinco De Mayo: Fiesta Time! is an engaging and informative book that explores the Mexican history and significance of the Cinco de Mayo holiday.
This book provides an introduction to Mexican culture, traditions, and the Cinco de Mayo celebration, and includes colorful illustrations and fun activities.
Recommended age rating: 4-8 years.
Mañana, Iguana tells the story of Iguana, who is invited to a fiesta but doesn't know how to dance. Iguana tries to learn different dances but keeps getting them mixed up.
This book introduces children to Latin American culture and the importance of perseverance and practice.
Recommended age rating: 4-8 years.
Marco's Cinco de Mayo is a charming and informative children's book that explores the traditions and history of Cinco de Mayo through the eyes of a young boy named Marco.
The book begins with Marco learning about Cinco de Mayo in his classroom and becoming curious about the holiday's origins and significance. With the help of his teacher and his family, Marco sets out to learn more about the holiday and its traditions, including the history of the Battle of Puebla and the role of Mariachi music in Mexican culture.
Throughout the book, readers follow Marco as he prepares for his school's Cinco de Mayo celebration, learning about traditional Mexican foods like tamales and guacamole, making his own papel picado decorations, and practicing with his classmates for their Mariachi bands performance.
The illustrations in the book are colorful and engaging, and the text is written in a simple, accessible style that makes it easy for children to understand.
The book also includes a glossary of Spanish words and phrases used in the text, as well as a recipe for guacamole at the end.
Overall, Marco's Cinco de Mayo is a wonderful resource for children who want to learn more about the history and traditions of Cinco de Mayo, and for parents and educators who are looking for a fun way to teach children about Mexican culture and cuisine. The book's emphasis on community, teamwork, and cultural appreciation makes it a valuable addition to any library or classroom.
Recommended age rating: 5-9 years.
Gaby's Latin American Kitchen is a cookbook for kids that features recipes inspired by Latin American cuisine.
This book includes step-by-step instructions and colorful photographs, as well as information about different ingredients and cooking techniques.
This cookbook is perfect for kids who love to cook delicious food and want to explore new flavors and different cultures.
Recommended age rating: 8-12 years.
Cinco de Mayo: The History of the Battle of Puebla, is an educational and informative book that tells the story of the historic battle that occurred on May 5, 1862, in the city of Puebla, Mexico City, Mexico.
The book begins with a brief history of Mexico, including the country's struggle for independence from Spain, and its subsequent conflicts with the United States and France. The main focus of the book, however, is on the Battle of Puebla, which was fought between the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and the French army, which was considered one of the most powerful in the world at the time.
Through vivid illustrations and engaging text, the book describes the events leading up to the battle, including the French army's invasion of Mexico and their attempts to establish a French-controlled government in the country. The book then goes on to describe the battle itself, including the tactics used by both sides and the key moments that led to the Mexican victory.
The book concludes with a discussion of the significance of the Battle of Puebla and the ways in which it has been celebrated over the years, both in Mexico and in the United States.
It is a great resource for children who are interested in history and want to learn more about the cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo. The book provides a detailed account of the battle, while also emphasizing the bravery and resilience of the Mexican people in the face of overwhelming odds.
Recommended age rating: Older students (12+)
Fun Cinco de Mayo Activities
Cinco de Mayo is a great way to teach kids about Mexican culture and history. There are many fun and educational activities you can do with your kids to celebrate the holiday.
Have a great time on the fifth of May with our fun Cinco de Mayo ideas:
- Cinco de Mayo word search
- Cinco de Mayo word scramble
- Cinco de Mayo coloring pages
- Day of the Dead bookmarks printable
- Cinco de Mayo acrostic poems
- DIY sombrero
- Make a mild salsa
- Cinco de Mayo crafts
- Grow your own chili peppers
- Learn more about Mexican heritage
Cinco de Mayo Bookmarks
When you have finished reading your new Cinco de Mayo book print out our free bookmarks to color.
These printable Cinco de Mayo bookmarks are free to print but are for personal use or classroom use only. Scroll to the bottom of this post to get the pdf file download link.
There are two pages each with three different bookmarks to color in. Each bookmark measures 2.5 x 8.5 inches.
We prefer to use pens but of course, crayons or even paints would work really well.
Download the free printable Cinco De Mayo bookmarks
Make sure you choose the correct paper size and click on the shrink to fit button. All of our free printables for kids work better when printed on cardstock (this is the one we use and love.)
Last Updated on 1 November 2023 by homeschoolof1