Looking for a humorous picture book that celebrates Mexican culture while exploring family relationships? The Muéganos by Jaque Jours is a charming new read-aloud for elementary libraries.
Recommended for: PreK–Grade 3
Themes: Family, siblings, independence, Mexican culture, food, museums
Great for: Hispanic Heritage Month, family units, SEL lessons, bilingual Spanish collections (a Spanish-language edition is also available).
Muéganos are a traditional Mexican candy made by clustering small fried dough pieces together with a sweet, crunchy glaze. In this delightful story, the muéganos are an actual family living life closely stuck together.
You can read more about traditional Mexican muéganos here.
While the family enjoys always being together, one adventurous sibling begins longing for a little independence. Her biggest wish is to explore a museum in Mexico City on her own, leading to a funny and heartwarming story about balancing family closeness with personal space.
The Muéganos is an excellent choice for read-alouds that spark conversations about siblings, independence, family, and Mexican culture. The unique candy-inspired characters and vibrant setting make it especially memorable for young readers.
The Muéganos received starred reviews from School Library Journal, BookPage, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews, making it one of the standout picture book releases of the season.
New Release Spotlight recommendations are based on the publisher’s information, available preview pages, and professional reviews.
If you’re planning a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, don’t miss my collection of 40 Books for Hispanic Heritage Month. It includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult titles, plus a free editable Google Slides presentation that can be used in your library or classroom.
Planning a library display, read-alouds, or classroom activities for Hispanic Heritage Month? Browse my collection of 40 recommended books for kids, tweens, and teens, featuring picture books, middle grade, and young adult titles.
You’ll also find a free editable Google Slides presentation that’s perfect for book talks, library displays, and classroom use.
