Children's Books about Guatemala

I love books!

So do my kids! :)

Some years back when we decided to adopt from Guatemala we began to create a "guatemalan bookshelf" with books about Guatemala for our cildren. I love to read these books to my children - both adopted and bio. They also enjoy them.

I thought I would share a list of books that our family has collected. These are great books that we have purchased online - both used and new. I have personally read each one of these books and find them worthy selections for any home library.

Also - please feel free to share any books you have found for your children about Guatemala! I am always on the "lookout" for new titles!

Happy Reading!

Gloria
mom to 5 guatemalan blessings

The Maya: Secrets of Ancient Cultures by Arlette N. Braman
Activities and Crafts from a Mysterious Land.
Make a Maya pyramid. Mix up Chili and chocolate, create a macaw headress.
This book has lots of activities and projects for children that will show them how the Maya lived.
Great for school age children!

The Most Beautiful Place in the World by Ann Cameron
This is a touching story for older school age children.
Juan is a young boy in Guatemala. His life is less than ideal.
He is abadoned by his birth mother and raised by his grandmother.
His dream is to go to school and learn to read.
Serious subject matter for mature children and youth.

The Corn Grows Ripe by Dorothy Rhoads
Tigre is a young mayan boy whose father is injured.
The family struggles to plant the corn. Tigre finds himself having
to grow up very quickly in order to help his family. Suitable for
Older Children or youth.

Abuela's Weave by Omar S. Castaneda
My all time favorite story book about Guatemala for my children!
This is a beautiful story of a young girl who along with her grandmother weaves beautiful
weavings and goes to Guatemala City to sell her goods. Beautiful story and illustrations!
Our family's favorite!!!

Mayan Weaving: A Living Tradition; A Crafts of the World Series book by Ann Stalcup
This is a colorful book with real photos of the maya engaged in the various steps of producing their
beautiful weavings. Real photos used of maya women and children.
Great book to teach children about the tradition of weaving.
Simple explanations for children.

Hands of the Maya: Villagers at Work and Play by Rachel Crandell
This book depicts with color photographs the everyday life of Maya Villagers.
Great book to introduce young children to the Maya heritage.
This is a book I read to my younger age children.

Mario's Mayan Journey by Michelle McCunney
Mario is a Mexican boy who falls asleep and has a dream that he and friends visit
and explore the land of the ancient Maya.
Illustrated book for children.

My Pig Amarillo by Satomi Ichikawa
Pablo, an indegenous boy in Guateamala is given a pet pig by his
granfather. This is the story of his relationship with this pig.
Sweet story for your children. Illustrated.

Guatemala, Countries of the World Series by Michael Dahl.
Simple book for children that shares info on life in Guatemala from holidays to
school and animals. Color photographs.

Guatemala ABC's: A Book About The People and Places of Guatemala by Marcie Aboff
Colofully illustrated book for young children about Guatemala. Each letter of the alphabet represents
something in Guatemala. "H" is for Holy Week..... " C" is for Cofee, etc.
Delightful book for young children learning their ABC's.

Mama and Papa Have a Store by Amelia Lau Carling
The author shares her expierences as a young child growing up in Guatemala City.
Colorfully illustrated. This is a delightful story for children!

Six Months in the Same Boots by Claire Boggs
Six months in the same boots is a true story about 2 boys boys waiting to be adopted .
It is somewhat of a sad story - but an honest depiction I think of what is really like for many orphaned children in Guatemala. Illustrations are lacking - but the story makes up for it.
My boys love for me to read this story!

Poor Marta by Claire Boggs
Another true story of a little girl that is abadoned and goes thru much trials before she finally finds
a loving and safe harbor in a children's home. The story again is sad - but I feel a very true depiction of what children endure in Guatemala. Illustrations are lacking but the story is wonderful and ends on a positive note.
Another one of my children's favorites.

Guatemala is My Home: A My Home Country Series book by Patricia Lantier- Sampon
Another simple story book for school aged children with color photos about life in Guatemala for Maria.
Maria is a maya girl that lives along the shores of Lake Atitlan.

A Family From Guatemala by Julia Waterlow
Expierence life in a Guatemalan village through the eyes of the Calabays.
Color photos - suitable for school age children.

Sawdust Carpets by Amelia Laua Carling
Another family favorite! Ms. Carling shares her story of her life as a young girl in Guatemala and her family's expierence with Holy Week festivities in La Antigua, Guatemala.
Colorfully illustrated.

A Guatemalan Family at Michael Malone
This book is about the Mendez Family and what they went thru to leave
Guatemala and come to the United States. Color photos included.
Suitable for school age children. Shares some info about the Civil War in Guatemala.

Secrets in Stone: All About Maya Hieroglyphs by Laurie Coulter
This is a family favorite of my older children! This book shares info about the lost language of the
ancient maya. This is an info packed great book for older kids!

A Life of Their Own : An Indian Family in Latin America by Aylette Jenness and Lisa Kroeber
I found this book on amazon - a used book. It was a wonderful book to read to my older children.
Black and white color photos. The authors spent months living in Guatemala with a maya family and shared
in their everday activities. This book chronicles their expierences. It is excellent! I recommend this book for older children and youth. Excellent!!

An Album of Maya Architecture by Tatiana Proskouriakoff
This is a beautiful book with black and white illustrations of each of the different
maya buildings and temple. There is a brief explanation with each drawing.
Excellent for youth and older children who are interested in learning more about the mayan
architecture.

Tikal; The Center of the Maya World by Elizabeth Mann
Excellent book for older kids about Tikal.
Coloful illustrations.Descriptions and illustrations about the life of the Maya in
Ancient Tikal. My oldest son loves this book!

Posted by Gloria at August 5, 2006 09:20 PM | TrackBack