By Valerie Butrón & Dr. Rita Guzman
Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just a calendar event—it’s a call to honor the stories, struggles, and triumphs of our communities while empowering all children to spread their wings and celebrate the fullness of who they are. At Tumbao Bilingual Books, we believe culture and language are not accessories to learning—they are its heartbeat.
That’s why our work is anchored in the TUMBAO Method™:
- T: Teaching with heart and heritage at the center
- U: Unity through inclusive, community-rooted practices
- M: Movement as a language for learning and connection
- B: Books that reflect diverse children and authentic cultures
- A: Advocacy through representation and storytelling
- O: Opportunities that spark lifelong learning
This month, we’re proud to bring those pillars to life in ways that honor history while shaping the future.
An Invitation: Listos para el museo at NMMA
We are honored to join the National Museum of Mexican Art on Saturday, September 20th for Listos para el museo, a family-centered celebration of culture, literacy, and belonging. Events like this remind us that heritage isn’t frozen in the past—it’s living, breathing, and evolving in the hearts of today’s children.
3 Ways Families & Schools Can Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with TUMBAO
- Center Books as Mirrors and Windows
Choose bilingual books that reflect the lived experiences of Latino families while also serving as windows into other cultures. Host a bilingual read-aloud, and then invite students to share their own stories. - Move with Meaning
Dance, clap, chant, and dramatize! Movement is more than fun—it is culture expressed through rhythm. Incorporate call-and-response chants, traditional dance steps, or dramatized storytelling into classroom celebrations. - Create Circles of Belonging
Use community circles for students and families to share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. Ask: What traditions help you feel proud of who you are? Unity begins with listening.
A New Wing Unfolds: Brenda’s Debut Bilingual Novel
Another moment of joy this Hispanic Heritage Month: the release of Brenda Bonuke Bogonko’s debut bilingual middle grade novel, The Girl Who Wanted to Fly / La niña que quería volar. Through the journey of Pendo, young readers discover that heritage is both anchor and wings—that knowing where you come from empowers you to soar into who you are becoming.
Why It Matters
When we bring tumbao—that rhythm of heritage, heart, and hope—into our homes, schools, and communities, we remind every child: Your culture is power. Your story belongs here. Your voice matters.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s not only honor the past. Let’s create the future. One filled with belonging, rhythm, and wings wide open.
