With our series Discovering Guatemala with Kids in full gear we visited the library to check out some books. Below is a list of children’s books about Guatemala and its culture that you’ll love.
Enjoy these favorite childrens books about Guatemala:
- Art
- Bus
- Coffee
- Day of the Dead
- Ethnicity
- Flag
- Guatemala City
- Holy Week
- Ice cream
- Jade
- Kinich Ahau
- Lake Atitlan
- Mayan Civilization
- Nahual
- Orchid
- Peace
- Quetzal
- Rain forest
- Soccer, Tortilla
- Unity
- Volcanoes
- Weaving
- Xelaju
- Yucca
- Zacapa
Weaving is an intrical part of the Guatemalan culture and in this story Ixchel uses her creativity and ingenuity to weave with repurposed plastic bags.
A story of the bond between an Abuela and her granddaughter, and how the traditional Mayan weaving is passed on to her. Together, they plan to sell their creations at the market. However, Abuela’s facial birthmark may deter potential customers, leaving Esperanza to navigate the busy city streets and find buyers on her own.
A charming board book on one of Guatemala’s most famous city, Antigua.
The Chocolate Tree: A Mayan Folktale (On My Own Folklore)
How the Peacock Got Its Feathers: Based on a Mayan Tale (Latin American Tales and Myths)
My child loves, loves this picture book! It’s a folktale on honesty, and selflessness based upon a Mayan tale about how the peacock got his beautiful colored feathers. The rain god wants to choose a new ruler who is selfless, and cares for the needs of his fellow birds before his own. However, the peahen pays no attention but still wants to rule. She steals the Chaac’s headdress, but the peacock knows that the headdress does not belong to her. Not being fooled by her, the peacock tells the Chaac and he decides to give all the peacocks beautiful feathers, and making the peacock the new ruler.
This post contains affiliate links if you click on the link, and if you make a purchase I will receive a small monetary compensation. Thank you!
Teaching about Guatemala? Check out this country unit study in English and Spanish:
Guatemala: Additional Resources
Guatemalan Barrilete for the Day of the Dead
Celebrate Guatemala’s and Mexico’s Fiestas Patrias with Two Colorful Rice Crafts
Authentic Guatemalan Dresses for Girls; Trajes de Chichi
Kid Made Guatemalan Worry Dolls: Muñeca Quitapenas
Guatemala ABC’s and Mayan Tales Children’s Book
Discovering Guatemala with Kids Series: Chichcastenango de Santo Tomás
Note: This post was originally published in 2015 and I updated it September 2024 to include new books.
I’m adding this to our Diversity Resource book list at the MCBD website. I need to find more books about different countries in Latin America so I am glad to discover your great post via the Multicultural Children’s Book Day linky! Thank you!