Eight Must-Listen Afro-Latino Audiobooks for Children

Widespread Dominican-American author Junot Díaz kicked off his journey into children's books with his debut children's story Islandborn. Protagonist Lola, who was born in the Dominican Republic but has lived in the Bronx since she was six, doesn't remember anything about the place where she was born. As she sets out to learn more about her island birthplace, she learns more about what it means to be Dominican in an American city. Díaz's rich imagination brings the immigrant experience to life. Díaz truly captures a child's view of the world, with a funny, vibrant voice that kids can relate to and follow.

Whether your kid just likes to listen to books while they do something else, or they're following along with a physical copy of the picture book, Islandborn is beautifully written. Díaz's narration is clear and bold, easy for little ears to listen to. He brings a cozy feel to the story, like having a story read to you by your uncle who can do all the best voices, according to AudioFile.

On an island in the ocean, there is music filled with drums. But no little girls or strong women whose hands bring those drums to life. Drum Dream Girl tells the story of one little girl who dared to dream of drums and how it feels to play them. She practiced in secret. She didn't tell anyone her dreams of playing. And when, one day, she was ready to show off her skills, she blew them all away. The island filled with music and girls and boys were both allowed to learn the drums.

Drum Dream Girl is based on the amazing true story of the Chinese African Cuban drummer Millo Castro Zaldarriaga who broke Cuba's no girls drum taboo so she could play to her own beat. Author Margarita Engle tells this beautiful, inspiring story, perfectly cut down for young listeners. Adriana Sananes' dynamic, vibrant reading is backed by the beautiful drum beats of Cuban music.

Perfect for older children who can listen to a longer story, Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa is a true biography that tells the story of one of Havana's most famous singers. She mastered tons of Afro-Caribbean styles to spread a whole world of music to the globe. An amazing and inspiring story for young black women looking for role models, Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa tells the story of a woman who made it big at a time when anti-blackness was an even bigger obstacle in her way.

Michelle Manzo tells Celia Cruz's story, with snippets of the woman's own music bringing the history to life with Spanish and English singing. Young readers may miss out on the vibrant way this story shines with music to show listeners just what Celia Cruz's life sounded like. Afro-Latina author Veronica Chambers shows her writing skills, making a history sound more like a story told around the kitchen table to a band of wide-eyed listeners. There's never a boring moment.

When you think of Spanish Harlem, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg should be the man that comes to mind. He was a Puerto-Rico-born historian who lived in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in the late 1800s and early 1900s, collecting stories about slave histories and the African diaspora. And Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library tells a part of his story. Young listeners can hear how this archivist's passion for history and stories led him to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora, until he had enough to start his own collection in the New York Public Library.

Carole Boston Weatherford doesn't treat history like some boring thing to be left to history class. Her brilliant writing makes Schomburg's story something interesting, and a combination of Ron Butler's strong narration and light-hearted music make Schomburg's passion seem closer than a century ago.

In New York City, in the borough of Brooklyn, in the neighborhood of Coney Island, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is a brilliantly beautiful art parade and festival. And one day, Julián is going to be a part of it. Julián Is a Mermaid tells the glorious story of a young boy who's learning about self-identity and expression and the Abuela he trusts to support his dreams. This audiobook is full of love and support from start to finish, letting young listeners know it's okay to be themselves, whatever that looks like.

Inspired by queer role models in her life, author Jessica Love tells a simple story of acceptance that's so important for young listeners to hear. The combination of Latin American identity, African American identity, and wholehearted self-expression spreads an essential message of learning to be yourself. The short story is brought to life by Avi Roque and backed by energetic music that makes each second feel like it's in full color.

Young adults looking to dive into more of the gritty history and full-life culture of Latin America, the Caribbean, and African identities will love The Surrender Tree. This collection of poems deals with Cuba's struggle for freedom, and it's a longer title that will provide a deeper understanding of Cuban identity. The rhythmic feel of poetry makes this award-winning verse novel a fascinating listen from start to finish. Beginning in 1886, when Cuba was still a part of the Spanish Empire, The Surrender Tree explores the feeling of an island nation struggling for freedom, safety, and comfort. Despite those who wish to destroy her sanctuaries, the main character, Rosa, still strives to provide healing to everyone who needs it.

This haunting tale is expertly narrated by a talented cast who let the poetry flow freely with each word. Author Margarita Engle perfectly captured the feeling of struggle and the effort to be soft and healing in a world determined to cause harm. Older children and young adults will love exploring this lyrical portrait painted of historical Cuba.

Another title for older children and young adults, The Poet Slave of Cuba is a stark look at the slave trade in Cuba, told as the poetic biography of a young house slave, Juan Francisco Manzano. Based on a real story, it exposes the everyday cruelties of life as a slave in colonial Cuba. Though his life was filled with pain, Manzano still found the hope and wonder to create his own poetry. The lyrical feel of this biography matches the feeling of a young poet, forced into a life where suffering was a constant.

Margarita Engle does it again with poetry that can enchant young listeners while telling real, historical stories of life in Cuba. The stark reality of Manzano's life is both emphasized and softened by the lyrical way she tells his story. A cast of narrators makes Manzano's life feel only inches away, full of beauty and sorrow. It's easy to step into the shoes of this young poet as he tells his story with Engle's words.

Sulwe is a young girl with dark, dark skin, darker than her family, darker than her classmates. She wishes more than anything for her skin to be a lighter color, closer to the bright beauty of her mother and sisters. But she still has the space to learn that beauty comes in many sizes, shapes... and colors.

Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o makes her writing debut with this stunning exploration of colorism and the true meaning of beauty. It's a frank look at how the push for lighter skin tones affects young children, especially black girls, and how that feeling can follow black women for their entire life. With a moving message about self-esteem and self-love, Sulwe is a hopeful take on a problem that many young women of color face in their daily lives. With a touch of whimsy perfectly narrated by the actress herself, Nyong'o sends a message of love to all the young listeners out there, especially those with dark skin.