15 Best Cinco de Mayo Books for Kids to Celebrate

Cinco de Mayo books for kids have become one of our favorite ways to explore Mexican culture at home.

Over the years, we’ve built a small collection that we revisit every May—some focus on the history behind the Battle of Puebla, others highlight music, food, and family celebrations.

Whether you’re introducing little ones to the holiday for the first time or adding new titles to your reading routine, these stories offer a fun and thoughtful way to learn together.

A colorful collage featuring covers of children’s books themed around Cinco de Mayo. Bold text in the center reads, “Best Cinco de Mayo Books for Kids” in large yellow and red letters. Book titles include “Marco’s Cinco de Mayo,” “Chicks and Salsa,” “Celebrating Cinco de Mayo,” “Dragons Love Tacos,” “Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen,” and more, showcasing festive illustrations with dancing, food, and celebrations. The image is from homeschoolof1.com.

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with These Fun and Festive Kids’ Books

Looking for a fun way to teach your kids about Cinco de Mayo? These picture books and early readers are packed with colorful illustrations, tasty tacos, mariachi music, and stories that celebrate Mexican culture and traditions.

Some focus directly on the holiday, while others highlight Mexican food, family, and heritage—perfect for sparking curiosity and conversation!

Cinco de Mayo (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme)

We love how this book makes learning feel like a party. The rhyming text is super fun to read aloud, and the bold, festive illustrations keep little readers totally hooked. Bonus points for the glossary—it’s a gentle way to introduce Spanish vocabulary without feeling like a lesson.

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo: Fiesta Time!

This book does a great job balancing education with celebration. The mix of storytelling and factual info keeps kids engaged while teaching them why Cinco de Mayo is meaningful. It also encourages kids to join the fun with simple activities—perfect for classroom or homeschool vibes.

Cinco De Mouse-O!

We love a good adventure, and this little mouse brings the charm! The story feels like a mini treasure hunt through a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and the detailed illustrations invite kids to look closely and spot all the fun. It's imaginative while still connecting to real traditions.

Cinco de Mayo is not a holiday

This one stands out for how boldly it clears up common misconceptions—but in a way that's still super kid-friendly. We love that it encourages kids to think critically while appreciating the history and spirit behind the day. It’s a great conversation starter that’s both funny and factual.

Marco’s Cinco de Mayo

Marco’s story hits the sweet spot between personal and educational. As he learns about the Battle of Puebla through classroom lessons and family celebrations, readers come along for the ride. We especially love the included guacamole recipe—such a fun way to keep the learning going after storytime.

Cinco de Mayo Book for Beginner Readers

This one is a gentle intro for little learners—clear, simple, and cheerful. We love how it breaks down the holiday in a way early readers can actually read on their own, which gives them a little boost of independence. Bright illustrations and a happy tone make it extra inviting.

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

This book takes a more global approach, which we love for showing kids that celebrations look different across communities. It makes the holiday feel big and connected, not just something that happens in one place. It’s great for expanding their world while keeping things festive and fun.

Finley The Flamingo Celebrates Cinco De Mayo

Finley is such a sweet character, and his joy is contagious. We love that this story uses an unexpected animal friend to explore tradition and friendship—it’s lighthearted but still introduces real elements of the holiday. Bonus: it’s especially great for younger kids who love silly characters.

Taco Tuesday Finger Puppet Board Book

Tiny hands will love this one! It’s super interactive, thanks to the finger puppet design, and the rhyming text is perfect for toddlers. While it’s not a Cinco de Mayo book exactly, we included it because it introduces little ones to the joy of tacos and shared meals—an easy bridge to bigger conversations later.

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Dragons Love Tacos

We had to include this modern classic! Kids adore the silly, snack-loving dragons, and it’s a great way to introduce Mexican food in a super fun and silly way. It’s not about Cinco de Mayo, but it captures the spirit of celebration and food-filled fun that’s perfect for the occasion.

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Cinco De Mayo Read About Holidays

We love this one for its simplicity and heart. It’s a great fit for curious early readers who are just starting to explore cultural holidays. The straightforward language and vibrant images make the meaning of Cinco de Mayo feel approachable without oversimplifying it.

Chicks and Salsa

This book is pure joy. It’s quirky, clever, and totally unforgettable—animals ditching boring feed to throw a spicy fiesta? Yes, please. While it’s not specifically about Cinco de Mayo, we included it because it sparks curiosity about Mexican cuisine in the most hilarious way.

Manana, Iguana

We love how this story blends humor with a gentle lesson on teamwork and perseverance. Iguana’s fiesta prep is full of funny missteps, but the end result is all heart. It’s a creative and charming way to highlight friendship and effort, wrapped up in colorful, fiesta-ready scenes.

Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen

This cookbook is such a standout—it makes culture tasteable. Gaby’s warmth jumps off the page, and the step-by-step recipes are fun, not fussy. We especially love how it encourages kids to get hands-on in the kitchen and try something new with their families.

Cinco de Mayo: The History of the Battle of Puebla

This one digs deeper into the “why” behind the holiday, and we really appreciate that. It's written in a way that keeps kids engaged while giving them a meaningful sense of the historical roots. It’s perfect for older elementary kids who want more than just the celebration—they want the story behind it.

Fun Activities to Enhance Your Reading

After exploring these colorful and meaningful stories, keep the celebration going with hands-on activities that highlight the culture and history behind Cinco de Mayo. These creative and educational ideas help kids connect more deeply with what they’ve read in a fun, memorable way.

Cinco de Mayo bookmarks to color: Personalize festive bookmarks with sombreros, maracas, and bright patterns.
Cinco de Mayo word search: Spot key words and build vocabulary with a holiday-themed puzzle.
Cinco de Mayo word scramble: Unscramble fun and festive terms tied to the holiday’s traditions.
Cinco de Mayo coloring sheets: Bring cultural symbols to life with crayons, markers, or paints.
Cinco de Mayo acrostic poem printables: Encourage kids to write creative poems using the letters in “Cinco de Mayo.”
Day of the Dead bookmarks printable: A thoughtful way to explore and honor another meaningful Mexican tradition.

These extras turn reading time into a full celebration, combining storytelling, creativity, and culture in one joyful experience.

Last Updated on 8 April 2025 by Clare Brown

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with These Fun and Festive Kids’ Books

Fun Activities to Enhance Your Reading

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