Books for el amor and la amistad

February is the month of el amor y la amistad, love and friendship. Before presenting some recommended books for this holiday, let me share my favorite poem written by the Cuban poet, José Martí.

Versos Sencillos

Tiene el leopardo un abrigo

en su monte seco y pardo;

yo tengo más que el leopardo,

porque tengo un buen amigo.

Tiene el señor presidente

un jardín con una fuente,

y un tesoro en oro y trigo:

tengo más, tengo un amigo.

Simple Verses

The leopard has a coat

in his mountain dry and brown;

I have more than the leopard

because I have a good friend.

The highness president

has a garden with a fountain

and a treasure of gold and money,

I have more, I have a friend.

Lover Boy/Juanito el cariñoso written by Lee Merill; illustrated by Francisco Delgado: Cinco Puntos Press. Four-year-old Johnny loves to dish out kisses, and he counts them in both English and Spanish.

Friends written by Alma Flor Ada; illustrated by Barry Koch: Santillana.
The triangles, squares, rectangles and circles learn that by joining together, they can have more fun.

The Woman Who Outshone the Sun/ La mujer que brillaba mas aún que el sol, a poem from Alejandro Cruz Martinez ; illustrated by Fernando Olivera: Children’s Book Press.
This book retells the Zapotec legend of Lucia Zenteno, a beautiful woman with magical powers who is exiled from a mountain village and takes its water away in punishment.

Lupe Vargas and her super best friend / Lupe Vargas ysu super mejor amiga written by Amy Costales ; illustrated by Alexandra Artigas : Luna Rising.
After playing games, super best friends Lupe and Maritza have a disagreement and must figure out how to make up.

Friends from the other side/Amigos del otro lado written by Gloria Anzaldúa; illustrated by Consuelo Méndez: Children’s Book Press.
Having crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with his mother in search of a new life, Joaquín receives help and friendship from Prietita, a brave young Mexican American girl.


What is your favorite book about love and friendship? You can add it in the comment area.