In the Beyond Borders series, young authors from the Latin American Youth Center used their own lived experiences to write bilingual children’s books centering immigrant families as the inaugural titles. Written by immigrant and first-generation youth for immigrant youth, these stories explore the immigrant experience from their perspective. Told in Spanish and English, these illustrated bilingual books make great language learning tools for readers ages 4-9.
“It’s really important that we are the ones telling our stories. We have agency. We don’t need someone else to tell our stories—we can do it ourselves.”
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When we pass the pen to young people, what stories emerge? Find out in Shout Mouse Press’s latest series, Beyond Borders, featuring bilingual children’s books centering the stories of immigrant youth by immigrant youth.
The 2021 series is authored by program participants of the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC, representing eight countries around the world.
Books in this Series
Authors: Yenner Rengifo Chaverra, Mich Hernandez, Jonatan Castillo-Turcios
Illustrator: Yurieli Otero-Asmar
This bilingual story uses whimsy and adventure to explore a challenging subject — migrating by foot to the United States.
Este cuento bilingüe usa la fantasía y la aventura para explorar un tema difícil: la migración a pie hacia Estados Unidos.
Meet Guz, our outgoing Central American protagonist, who transforms an immigration journey into an adventure in this compelling bilingual book, told in Spanish and English. Shortly after leaving home, Guz is separated from their loved ones. With the help of a friendly Torogoz, Goz, they navigate hunger, wild animals, and the strange terrain before reconnecting with their family and continuing the journey. This colorful book, told through the eyes of a young child, shares part of a frightening story that isn’t often depicted in children’s books while making it accessible to young readers.
Conoce a Guz, nuestro extrovertido protagonista centroamericano, que transforma un viaje de migración en una aventura en este cautivador libro bilingüe –contado en español e inglés. Al poco tiempo de abandonar su hogar, Guz se separa accidentalmente de sus seres queridos. Con la ayuda de Goz, un amistoso pajarito torogoz, juntos enfrentan el hambre, animales silvestres y un terreno desconocido, antes de reconectarse con la familia y continuar el viaje. Esta pintoresca historia, contada a través de los ojos de un niño, presenta un aspecto de una experiencia aterradora que no suele contarse en los libros infantiles, de una manera que resulta accesible para los pequeños lectores.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-65-9
Age: 4-9
Page Count: 40
Publication Date: Oct 2023
Authors: Luisa Orellana-Castillo, Brizel Martinez Cruz, Camila Melany De la Luz Villegas
Illustrator: Romeo Montero
Amidst changes in a gentrifying neighborhood, a young girl must overcome her fears in order to fight for her community and her aunt’s memory in this heart-warming bilingual children’s book.
En medio de los cambios que atraviesa un vecindario en proceso de gentrificación, una niña debe superar sus miedos para poder luchar por su comunidad y por la memoria de su tía en este conmovedor libro infantil bilingüe.
Written by first-generation Latinx teens, this bilingual book – told in Spanish and English – follows Belinda, a young girl of Mexican and Salvadoran heritage who once loved to sing. But ever since her aunt’s death, Belinda has been afraid to use her voice. When a new owner decides to paint over the mural that was created to honor her aunt, Belinda rallies the entire community together to stop it. Can Belinda lead her community and lift her voice to save Tía’s mural? From the shy reader to the young activist, this endearing story uplifts our future leaders.
Esta historia bilingüe –contada en español e inglés—, escrita por adolescentes latinos de primera generación, narra la historia de Belinda, una niña de ascendencia mexicana y salvadoreña a quien le fascinaba cantar. Desde la muerte de su tía, Belinda siente temor a usar su voz. Cuando un nuevo propietario decide tapar con pintura un mural que se creó en honor a su tía, Belinda congrega a toda la comunidad para detenerlo. ¿Podrá Belinda liderar a su comunidad y elevar su voz para salvar el mural de su tía? Esta adorable historia alienta a nuestros futuros líderes, desde los lectores tímidos hasta los pequeños activistas.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-64-2
Age: 4-9
Page Count: 40
Publication Date: Oct 2023
Authors: Sol Mundo, Jonathan Lopez, Yasmina Konate
Illustrator: Hee So
A young boy from an immigrant Salvadoran family learns a valuable lesson about money, work, and the sacrifices that his family have made so that he can go to school.
Un niño de una familia inmigrante salvadoreña aprende una valiosa lección sobre el dinero, el trabajo y los sacrificios que ha hecho su familia para que él pueda ir a la escuela.
For all the kids who see their family working hard, this uplifting bilingual story – told in Spanish and English – shows how important it is that they have a chance at a better life. Fernando, a young first-generationimmigrant, realizes how hard his Salvadoran family works for the community every day and he wants to help. Follow his adventures around Washington, DC as he tries to surprise his family with a contribution to their “rainy day jar.” But when his ideas don’t work out, Fernando learns that there are other ways for him to make his family proud. Through humor and charming details, this book highlights some of the ways immigrant families show love for each other.
A todos los niños que ven los esfuerzos de su familia, esta inspiradora historia —contada en español e inglés— les muestra la importancia de que tengan la oportunidad de gozar de una mejor vida. Fernando, un inmigrante de primera generación, se da cuenta de lo duro que su familia salvadoreña trabaja a diario por la comunidad, y decide ayudar. Sigue las aventuras que vive en Washington, D. C. en su intento de sorprender a su familia con una contribución para el bote de “los días lluviosos”. Sus ideas no funcionan, pero Fernando aprende que hay otras cosas que puede hacer para que su familia se sienta orgullosa de él. A través del humor y detalles encantadores, este libro resalta algunas de las maneras en que las familias inmigrantes se demuestran su amor.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-63-5
Age: 4-9
Page Count: 40
Publication Date: Oct 2023
Authors: Tseganesh Chala, Joy Ugwu
Illustrator: Joy Ingram
In Joy-Grace and the Dress Dilemma, authors Joy and Tseganesh wanted to write a book about the challenges--and the beauty!--of having a multicultural identity. Joy-Grace is a fashionista, and this week is her school’s culture day. She wants to bring in a garment to reflect her background, but there’s only one problem: her family is from Nigeria, Jamaica, AND Ethiopia! Will Joy-Grace be able to find the perfect dress to celebrate all of who she is in time for culture day?
En Joy-Grace y el dilema del vestido, las autoras Joy y Tseganesh quisieron escribir un libro sobre las dificultades —y la belleza— de tener una identidad multicultural. Joy-Grace es una fashionista, y esta semana es el día de la cultura en su escuela. Quiere llevar un vestido que refleje sus raíces, pero solo hay un problema: su familia es de Nigeria, Jamaica y Etiopía. ¿Podrá Joy-Grace encontrar el vestido perfecto a tiempo para celebrar todas sus culturas?
ISBN: 978-1-950807-39-0
Age: 4-9
Lexile: AD570L
Page Count: 40
Published: Fall 2021
Authors: Andy Pina, Antonia Marisol Garcia, Pedro Reyes, Yunior Jose Garcia
Illustrator: Ian L. Springer
In Jasmín Pictures Home, Andy, Marisol, Pedro and Yunior wanted to write a book that explores what it’s like to be different in a new country. In this book, a group of friends are the only kids in their school who are not from the same town. These four best friends are all immigrants --from four different countries!--and they all speak Spanish. Though they bond over their shared language and their shared love of soccer, it’s not always easy being different from everyone else. The newest arrival, Jasmin, is having the hardest time and she spends all her time drawing. Hector, Manolito, and Jorge don’t like seeing Jasmin struggle. Can they work together to help Jasmin see the beauty in being different?
En Jasmín ilustra su hogar, Andy, Marisol, Pedro y Yunior quisieron escribir un libro que explorara cómo es ser diferente en un país nuevo. En este libro, un grupo de amigos son los únicos en la escuela que no son del mismo pueblo. Estos cuatro mejores amigos son inmigrantes —de cuatro diferentes países— y todos hablan español. Aunque forman lazos a través de su idioma compartido y su amor hacia el fútbol, no siempre es fácil ser diferente a los demás. A la recién llegada, Jasmín, es a quien más le cuesta, y pasa todo su tiempo dibujando. A Héctor, Manolito, y Jorge no les gusta ver a Jasmín sufrir tanto. ¿Podrán trabajar juntos para ayudar a Jasmín a ver la belleza de ser diferente?
ISBN: 978-1-950807-41-3
Age: 4-9
Lexile: AD580L
Page Count: 40
Published: Fall 2021
Authors: Deyssy Mosso, Yenner Rengifo Chaverra
Illustrator: Fatima Seck
In Perla’s Magical Goodbye, Deyssy and Yenner wanted to write a book that reflects the experience of leaving home to move to another country. Perla has been friends with Pablo and Genesis for as long as they can remember. But now that Perla is moving away from her hometown of San Unicornio to the US, she is sad about leaving them. After making a wish at the town’s unicorn fountain, Perla and her friends are visited by a magical creature who helps them spend one last beautiful day together. How can Perla and her friends learn to hold onto these magical memories and say goodbye?
En El adiós mágico de Perla, Deyssy y Yenner quisieron escribir un libro que reflejara la experiencia de dejar su hogar y mudarse a otro país. Perla ha estado con sus amigos Pablo y Génesis desde que tiene memoria. Pero ahora que Perla se va a mudar de su pueblo natal, San Unicornio, hacia los EE. UU., está triste por dejarlos. Después de pedir un deseo en la fuente del unicornio del pueblo, Perla y sus amigos son visitados por una criatura mágica que los ayuda a compartir un último y hermoso día juntos. ¿Cómo aprenderán Perla y sus amigos a preservar estas memorias mágicas y decir adiós?
ISBN: 978-1-950807-40-6
Age: 4-9
Lexile: AD550L
Page Count: 40
Published: Fall 2021
Authors: Mario Serrano, Jamileth Brito
Illustrator: Yurieli Otero-Asmar
In Searching for Sancocho, Jamileth and Mario wanted to write a book that celebrated the deep connection of family recipes and honored their lost loved ones. Aurora misses her abuela, who recently passed away. Neighbors and friends in D.C. keep bringing dishes to the house to help her family mourn, but all Aurora wants is Abuela's famous sancocho. After finding a magic pink bike that flies her all the way to the Dominican Republic, Aurora visits all Abuela’s old favorite places in hopes of finding the recipe. Will Aurora be able to find the secret ingredient and keep Abuela’s famous sancocho alive?
En En busca del sancocho, Jamileth y Mario quisieron escribir un libro que celebrara la conexión íntima de las recetas familiares y honrara a los seres queridos que han perdido. Aurora extraña a su abuela, la cual falleció recientemente. Sus vecinos y amigos en D.C. llevan comida a la casa para ayudar a su familia a pasar el luto, pero lo único que quiere Aurora es el famoso sancocho de Abuela. Después de encontrar una bicicleta rosada mágica que la vuela hasta la República Dominicana, Aurora visita todos los lugares favoritos de Abuela con la esperanza de encontrar la receta. ¿Podrá encontrar Aurora el ingrediente secreto y mantener vivo el famoso sancocho de Abuela?
ISBN: 978-1-950807-38-3
Age: 4-9
Lexile: AD530L
Page Count: 40
Published: Fall 2021
Authors of the Beyond Borders Series
I am a high school student in Washington, DC and a first-generation Mexican-American. I have a big family: four brothers, one sister, four amazing parents—my mom and step-dad and my dad and step-mom—three cats, and a husky. I like music and sports.
I am 17 years old and a junior in high school. I am a native Washingtonian, but my family is from New Guinea and Mali.
I am 18 years old and currently a freshman in college. Both of my parents are from El Salvador, with my mom from San Miguel and my dad from La Union.
I am 22 years old and was born and raised in El Salvador until age 13. I graduated high school in Washington, DC in 2019 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics in May 2023, just as we were finishing this book!
My name is Mich and I am 16 years old. I’m originally from San Salvador, El Salvador. I like to read, listen to music, and dance.
My name is Jonatan and I am 16 years old. I was born in El Salvador, but currently live in Washington, DC.
I am a 15-year-old girl from Washington, DC, currently in the 9th grade. My mother is from El Salvador, and my father is from Bolivia.
I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I am also a first-generation American with Mexican parents, a little sister, and an adorable little dog.
Pedro, originally from Mexico, wrote Jasmín Pictures Home while he studied at Cardozo High School.
Mario wrote Searching for Sancocho while a senior at DC International School. He is originally from El Salvador.
Jamileth wrote Searching for Sancocho while studying at Roosevelt High School. She is originally from the Dominican Republic.
Andy wrote Jasmín Pictures Home while studying at Roosevelt High School; he is originally from the Dominican Republic.
My name is Deyssy (she/her). When I wrote my books I was a student at the University of the District of Columbia. I am majoring in Social Work and expect to graduate in May 2023. When I am not writing or in classes, I am interning at So Others Might Eat (SOME), working at a local restaurant, or painting! Once I graduate from UDC, I would like to attend law school and enter a full-time job where I can keep helping vulnerable communities. I want to let my readers know that no matter how hard or difficult times can be, there is always a light of hope encouraging you to not give up. As human beings, we are fighters.
Joy is a 23-year-old Nigerian American from the small suburb of Lithonia, GA, just outside of Atlanta.
Yenner wrote Perla’s Magical Goodbye while attending DC International High School. He is originally from Colombia.
Tseganesh wrote Joy-Grace and the Dress Dilemma as a senior at Theodore Roosevelt High School. She is Ethiopian and moved to the United States when she was 16.
Recognition for the Beyond Borders Series
“Jasmín Pictures Home affirms that every country, culture, and person is unique, special, and deserves to be celebrated.”
LAYC authors of the Beyond Borders series were recently interviewed by WAMU/DCist about their experience writing children's books centering immigrant stories -- and their story aired on national radio!
Authors of the Beyond Borders series were interviewed and featured on Apple Newsroom. “Today at Apple Creative Studios amplifies young artists’ voices”
When we pass the pen to young people, what stories emerge? Find out in Shout Mouse Press’s latest series, Beyond Borders, featuring bilingual children’s books centering the stories of immigrant families.
The 2023 series is authored by program participants of the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC, representing six countries around the world.