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    You are here: Home / Books / 13 Bilingual Children's Books: English-Spanish

     

    13 Bilingual Children's Books: English-Spanish

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    There are so many great English-Spanish bilingual children's books being published today! It wasn't so easy to find good choices when my kids were little. This list of bilingual picture books includes books that have English and Spanish text side by side as well as books that are written in English as the primary language but with Spanish words deftly woven into the text.

    List of Bilingual children's books

    We all know about the research that shows the earlier kids are exposed to a second language the better! What I love about these dual language books is that even people with no Spanish experience can read them, and parents with a rudimentary understanding of Spanish will have no trouble at all, especially since Spanish is written so phonetically!

    It is never to early or too late to expose your kids to a second (or third!) language. Books with both English and Spanish text will help them get started on the road to fluency. Or, at the very least, increase their cross-cultural awareness.

    Really, there is no good reason not to read bilingual books to your kids!

    This book list is divided into sections by age: babies and toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children.

    Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

    Spanish-English Books Ages 0-3

    Global Babies bilingual book for toddlers

    Global Babies/Bebes del mundo

    from The Global Fund for Children

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Babies LOVE to stare at other baby faces! Now they (and you!) can look at adorable faces from around the world while hearing simple, sweet and loving text in Spanish and English. This is a wonderful first bilingual book for babies.


    Besos for Baby

    Besos for Baby

    by Jen Arena

    Amazon | Indiebound

    A sweet little board with repetitive and rhyming text. Primarily in English with a few Spanish words. You will want to plant many besos on your baby as you read!


    Pio Peep Spanish nursery rhymes

    ¡Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes 

    by ed., by Alma Flor Alma, F. Isabel Campoy and Alice Shurtle

    Amazon | Indiebound

    This bilingual collection of nursery rhymes is not to be missed. Each traditional rhyme is presented in both Spanish and English. If you are not fluent, but had a little bit of high school Spanish, try reading aloud the Spanish version, your babe will love the sound of the word flow and rhythm and hearing another language is great for the brain!


    Arrorro mi nino spanish lullaby

    Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games

    by Lulu Delacre

    Amazon | Indiebound

    This is a good bilingual resource, even for parents with no Spanish language experience. Short songs and interactive games (think: Pat-a-cake, and "To Market, to Market") will encourage caregivers to spend special one on one time with their children.


    How are you como estas

    How Are You? / ¿Cómo estás?

    by Angela Dominguez

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Playful illustrations of two giraffes accompany dual language text in which the new friends inquire about to each other's feelings and get to know each other. One of the most fun bilingual books for todders!


    Ages 3-5

    Maria Had a Little Llama in spanish and english

    Maria Had a Little Llama/María Tenía una Llamita

    by Angela Dominguez

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Kids love to hear new takes on familiar stories and rhymes. This classic nursery rhyme has a Peruvian twist and is a great bilingual picture book for preschoolers!


    Gracias book

    Gracias\Thanks

    by Pat Mora

    Amazon | Indiebound

    In this joyful book, a biracial boy narrates all the things he is thankful for, from the expected to the surprising. The illustrations include a range of multicultural children, so kids of all colors will see themselves represented.


    What Can You Do With a paleta bilingual picture book

    What Can You Do with a Paleta / ¿Qué Puedes Hacer con una Paleta?

    by Carmen Tafolla

    Amazon | Indiebound

    A paleta is a traditional Mexican popsicle treat. This lively book about kids running to get a summer treat will spark your preschooler's imagination and maybe he or she will even offer to share a paleta with you!


    Ages 5-8

    Lizard and the sun latino bilingual folktale picture book

    The Lizard and the Sun/La Lagartija y el Sol

    By Alma Flor Alda

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Ever wonder why lizards like to laze about in the sun (hint: it's not because of their cold blood)? It all started when the sun disappeared and the lizard went in search of it. With a little help from an Aztec emperor, a woodpecker and a great feast, he is able to bring the sun back from its slumber. With lots of detail, the illustrations bring the Aztec culture to life.


    Celia book cover

    My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz

    by Monica Brown

    Amazon | Indiebound

    This lively, vibrant bilingual biography tells the story of Cuban-born Celia Cruz, an important salsa singer and performer. The narrative traces Celia's journey, starting with her love of music and through her experience as a refugee escaping the communist regime of Cuba. She brought her musical art to Miami and New York, fighting racial stereotypes and never giving up. The text evokes the rhythm of salsa music and is great fun to read.


    Iguanas in the snow bilingual poetry

    Iguanas in the Snow: And Other Winter Poems / Iguanas en la Nieve: Y Otros Poemas de Invierno

    by Francisco X. Alarcón 

    Amazon | Indiebound

    This bilingual collection of poems is part of a four book series spanning the seasonal year. Each short poem in free verse is in both Spanish and English, presenting snapshots of a diverse group of children enjoying wintery life to the fullest. Be sure to read the poetry collections for every season!


    Marisol McDonald bilingual picture book for children

    Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina

    by Monica Brown

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Red-headed half-Scottish half-Peruvian Marisol bounces off the page with great enthusiasm and loves her mismatched life. When her friend, Ollie, challenges her to “match”, Marisol finds she is unhappy with life as a conformist. This is a great story that emphasizes the importance of embracing and accepting one’s uniqueness.


    Dear Primo

    Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin

    by Duncan Tonatiuh

    Amazon | Indiebound

    Two cousins—Charlie, who is American, and Carlitos, who is Mexican—write letters to each other describing their lives in their home countries, thus inviting readers to compare and contrast the different experiences. Tonatiuh's illustrations are heavily influenced by Mixtec tradition (Mixtec was a major civilization of Mesoamerica). Primarily written in English, with some Spanish words, plus a glossary.

    More books to love:

    • Latino children's books for all ages #ownvoices
    • Multicultural books for babies and toddlers
    • Picture books about diversity
    « Spring Coloring Pages
    Children's Books about Divorce and Separation »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alexis says

      November 16, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks for this. I would love to know if they are actually all bilingual books. I have seen a lot of blogs saying there are bilingual books but it is only in the one language and not both together. That being said you would love the bilingual books by @lingobabies

      Reply
    2. Brent Van says

      July 10, 2021 at 2:23 am

      Here's one of my favorite bilingual books. It's the chapter La tortuga gigante from the book Cuentos de las selva. It isn't normally a bilinugal book, but this version has a good inline translation.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJtrrxxtMZQ

      Reply

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