Mi gente, summer is here, so check out these books to spark your creativity!
While I love a good vacay or poolside paleta moment, I’m also a big fan of slow, soulful days at home—crafting, reading, and refreshing my space and spirit. So I gathered up seven juicy books (plus one fabulous card deck!) that feel like sunshine for your soul and glitter for your brain.
Whether with family or solo time for you, you’ll find mucho motivation!
Eight books to spark your creativity and spirit this summer
Let’s dive in! Check out my list and let me know which is your fave!
My First Bilingual Library: A Spanish-English Vocabulary Board Book Set of Colors, Numbers, Animals, ABCs, and More (Sí Sabo Kids)
If you’re raising tiny bilinguals (or you’re a Nana Chica like me), this board book set is a must-have. It covers all the basics—colors, numbers, animals, and more—in a way that’s cute, clear, and culturally rich. These books make learning feel like playtime. I keep a set in the family room for when my grand baby visits. We read them together each week!
Mamá Didn’t Raise a Pendeja: A Book of Anti-Affirmations Inspired by Tough Latinas
This book cracked me up and pumped me up. It’s filled with raw, funny, and painfully honest “anti-affirmations” that serve up tough love, Latina-style. Think: No sugar-coating, just real talk that hits you right in the corazón (and the ego). It’s like your favorite tía who always tells it like it is – except on artfully designed pages.
This is your hot summer read when you need motivation with a side of sass.
Big Thrift Energy: The Art and Thrill of Finding Vintage Treasures—Plus Tips for Making Old Feel New
This book brings main character energy to the world of thrifting! Author Virginia Chamlee doesn’t just talk about shopping secondhand—she turns it into a full-blown treasure hunt. She shares tips on how to spot high-value finds, refresh funky pieces, and infuse your space with personality. If you love storytelling with your style, this is your new summer BFF. Plus, it’ll totally inspire you to hit up those estate sales and flea markets with a fresh perspective. I’m taking these awesome ideas and giving them a chica twist for mi casita.
The New Art of Paper Flowers: The Complete Guide to Crafting Gorgeous Crepe Paper Flowers
Talk about a forever bloom! Tiffanie Turner teaches you how to make paper flowers that look so real, your guests will try to sniff them. You get the gist…This book is more than a craft guide—it’s a lesson in patience, joy, and creative self-expression. Perfect for chill summer nights when you want to unwind and just make something simple and beautiful.
The Artist’s Drawing Book: Learn How to Draw, Sketch, Shade, and More with Easy Lessons and Practice Pages
Want to sharpen your sketching skills or finally fill that dusty sketchbook? This is the book to get you going. It walks you through the basics of drawing in a friendly, approachable way—no art degree required. Each lesson feels like a pep talk and practice sesh rolled into one. I loved how it made me feel like a kid again, doodling just for fun. Bring it along on road trips or spend an afternoon sketching at your favorite café.
Los Street Vendors: Bilingual Book Set about Shapes, Colors, and Fruits (Sí Sabo Kids)
This board book set is a whole fiesta in a box! Inspired by iconic street vendors, it helps kiddos learn colors, shapes, and fruits in both English and Spanish. I love how it turns everyday cultura into teachable moments. The illustrations pop with color and joy, making it a sweet way to bond with your little ones—or gift to your favorite new mamá.
The Happy Homebody: A Field Guide to the Great Indoors
LOVE!!!! Calling all cozy queens! This gem celebrates staying in and soaking up all the little joys of your own space. The pages are packed with journaling prompts, self-care ideas, and cozy doodles that make you feel hugged by your own home. Perfect for those lazy Sundays when you want to recharge your spirit and your creativity—no work clothes required.
The Endless Art Challenge Card Deck: 90 Creativity Prompt Cards (25,000+ Combos!)
Okay, this deck? Pure magic in a box! It’s not a book, but it totally earns a spot on this list. Megan Roy and Blue Star Press created this powerhouse of prompts that’ll keep your creativity flowing all summer long. With over 25,000 possible combos (yes, you read that right!), you’ll never run out of fresh ideas for drawing, painting, or mixed media fun. I’ve pulled a card when I felt stuck and—boom!—new art direction, unlocked. It’s like having a creative coach in your back pocket.
So there you go, chicas! Stock up on these books (and that fabulous deck), grab your glitter pens, light a candle, and get ready to fill your summer with inspiration, laughter, and lots of colorful pages. Which one are you adding to your reading list first?
Thanks for checking out my post about books to spark your creativity and spirit, I hope they come in handy!
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