Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15. First established under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to highlight the voices and lived experiences of Hispanic/Latine individuals.
Honor 2025's theme, "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future," by exploring some of the suggested materials below and by participating in our Youth Services department's scavenger hunt!
Get Book Recommendations
We have many books, ranging from picture books to non-fiction to graphic novels and chapter books, that reflect the wide-ranging past and present experiences of Hispanic/Latine individuals. Some of the new titles we're loving right now include:
Little rebels ask questions. They use language to shape the world, and when no words are right, they make up new ones. They imagine, trust their intuition, and aren’t ashamed to change their minds.
Hopeful Heroes: More Poems About Amazing Latinos by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Juliet Menéndez
Prepare to be inspired by this empowering collection of poetry that tells a larger story about fortitude and community across Hispanic history. From environmental activists such as Christina Figueres to record breaking athletes like Pelé, each role model featured is a legend in their own right.
Within this beautifully illustrated book, you can meet 52 heroes such as astronaut Ellen Ochoa, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, as well as fearless changemakers, scientists, writers, political leaders and more. You can discover one new figure to explore each week, each with empowering stories to inspire children, vividly told by award-winning storyteller Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and brought to life by illustrator Sol Cotti's artwork.
For more titles, explore our librarian-curated "Book River" here.
Participate in Wilmette Public Library's Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt
If you've visited the Youth Services department before, you've likely seen one of our wildly-popular scavenger hunts in action! Join us all month for our newest hunt for titles that feature books for all ages by Hispanic/Latine creators.
Explore Online Resources
There are lots of wonderful (and free!) online resources for learning more about Hispanic Heritage Month. A few of our favorites are:
Part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection of museums, the National Museum of the American Latino has curated a variety of resources for Hispanic Heritage Month that include basic information about the month and special, virtual exhibitions such as "Thriving in Diversity: Latinas and Latinos with Disabilities".
Particularly valuable for educators and homeschoolers, the NEA's Hispanic Heritage Month resources include lesson plans, printables, booklists, music, and more.
For history buffs, the National Archive's Hispanic Heritage Month special topics page includes a wide variety of historical records, photographs, online exhibits, and videos related to Hispanic/Latine-American history.