Learning your native language can be attained through speaking, writing, and, most importantly, reading. Reading gives you a chance to understand language in a different way and learn new words that you may have never learned before. Language is a big part of the stories that we all know and love, and can grow as we grow. It can also be a great way to introduce you to a new language you may want to start learning.
Bilingual children’s books offer a chance to learn a new language in a setting that facilitates an easy transition and helps them learn a few key words. These books cover just about everything and can foster language development and cultural appreciation. Offer yourself or your child a chance to experience and develop a new language through an immersion-style learning. As exciting as it sounds, it can be overwhelming when choosing where to start, but with this list of bilingual children’s books, you can be sure to be put at ease.
I Am, Yo Soy (Spanish-English) by Gabriela Orozco Belt, Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Begin your journey into bilingual books, I Am, Yo Soy by Gabriela Orozco Belt and Mirelle Ortega is the perfect book for you. I Am, Yo Soy is a Spanish-English picture book that shares the beauty of being a part of two cultures. With its lyrical text and vibrant pictures, the book is a celebration of Hispanic American identity. Belt and Ortega honor all the big and small ways of embracing both heritages and showcase how they are the key to people being who they are. Each line of the text is accompanied by the other language, so you can easily follow along with the story, reading both languages. This book is an excellent exploration of the American way of life and Hispanic cultures, making it a great first book for bilingual readers.
We Are All Connected: Caring for each other & the earth / Todos Estamos Conectados (Spanish-English) by Gabi Garcia, Illustrated by Natalia Jimenez Osorio
Looking for a vibrant bilingual book to read, We Are All Connected: Caring for each other & the earth / Todos Estamos Conectados by Gabi Garcia, illustrated by Natalia Jimenez Osorio, should be your next read. This book is a colorful rhyming book that celebrates empathy, cultural understanding, and respect. Garcia and Osorio’s book teaches kids, through Spanish and English, to celebrate differences and work together to make the world a better place. We Are All Connected: Caring for each other & the earth / Todos Estamos Conectados combines a heartfelt message and vibrant illustrations to showcase the beautiful diversity of the world and the power of coming together. This picture book conveys a valuable message while also teaching Spanish, making it a great addition to a bookshelf for kids to read.
I Wish You Happiness / Je te souhaite du bonheur (French-English) by Michael Wong, Illustrated by Ann Baratashvili, and Translated by George Willms
If you want to experience a timeless classic book that has been transformed to include another language, then you should read I Wish You Happiness / Je te souhaite du bonheur by Michael Wong, illustrated by Ann Baratashvili, and translated by George Willms. This book is a charming book that empowers children to get all the wonderful wishes that they deserve. It is filled to the brim with inspirational wishes and beautiful illustrations that empower children to be the best they can be. I Wish You Happiness / Je te souhaite du bonheur is the perfect way to allow kids to be immersed in both French and English, and be warm and enjoyable for them. Wong and Baratashvili deliver a heartwarming and wonderful story that reinforces positivity and the power of wishes. Discover how you can change the way your child reads and provide them with wishes they never knew they could dream of.
Am I small?/ lo sono piccola (Italian-English) by Philipp Winterberg, illustrated by Nadja Wichmann, and translated by Emanuela Usai, Francesca Parenti, Sandra Hamer, David Hamer
Part of a series with over 200 different languages and dialects, Am I small?/ lo sono piccola by Philipp Winterberg, illustrated by Nadja Wichmann and translated by Emanuela Usai, Francesca Parenti, Sandra Hamer, and David Hamer, is a great bilingual read. This book is a picture book with a 1:1 translation by human translators that keeps the power of the storyline throughout every book. Winterberg tells the story in simple and engaging words and imaginative pictures, making it easy to learn the new language and keep up with the story. It is an effective teaching tool, teaching children perspective, and a great way to pick up Italian in small doses. Am I small?/ lo sono piccola is an engaging and meaningful story that makes it a great way to explore another language. Try this book out at story time and learn a little bit of Italian in an engaging and amusing way.
Who Lives in the Wood? / Wer Wohnt Im Wald? (German-English) by chatty parrot
Learn German through a memorable and engaging story in Who Lives in the Wood? / Wer Wohnt Im Wald? by chatty parrot. This book is a bilingual story that teaches children German while featuring different woodland animals. With short, simple sentences and every sentence with its own translation and illustration, this book is perfect for beginners. When you make it to the end of it all, there is a bonus board game and a chart with all the woodland animals and their names. Who Lives in the Wood? / Wer Wohnt Im Wald? is a cute and engaging book that is a perfect stepping stone into learning German for children. With beautiful illustrations and an exciting storyline, this book starts the journey to learning conversational German.
Where is My Little Dog? (Mandarin Chinese- English) by Ingo Blum, Illustrated by Antonio Pahetti
Reading and engaging is the perfect way to get into a new language, and with the book Where is My Little Dog? (Mandarin Chinese & English) by Ingo Blum, illustrated by Antonio Pahetti, it can all be in one book. This book is a bilingual book that teaches kids Mandarin Chinese while reading and actively coloring in the book. While reading the book, children will learn different places, objects, and simple questions and answers, all in English and in Chinese. The story is simple enough for early age learning and can be a perfect book for reading aloud with others or alone. Blum and Pahetti create a story full of illustrations that are creative and original, and also provide extra pages for coloring and drawing to make readers feel a part of the story. This dual-language book is perfect for teaching children new foreign words and expanding their horizons from an early age.
Fly, Little Bird / Voa, Passarinho (Portuguese-English) by Ingo Blum, Illustrated by Liubov Gorbova and Translated by Tiago Gomes
In the same way, Fly, Little Bird / Voa, Passarinho (Portuguese-English) by Ingo Blum, illustrated by Liubov Gorbova and translated by Tiago Gomes, comes with coloring and storytelling, creating an engaging story to read. This book has each line in both English and Portuguese and is simple for early age learning. It is a great starting point for children to understand another language and for parents to discuss their child’s fears. With cute illustrations, this book is a must-have for children to teach them to deal with thoughts of doubt and worry. At the end of the story, you can become a part of the experience by coloring in some of the characters or even drawing your own. In an easy-to-read style and line-by-line translation, Fly, Little Bird / Voa, Passarinho makes learning Portuguese more of a desire rather than a chore.
A Sea of Stars (Greek-English) by Elisavet Arkolaki, Illustrated by Vivi Markatos
To round out the list, A Sea of Stars (Greek-English) by Elisavet Arkolaki, illustrated by Vivi Markatos, is a combination of all great bilingual stories and sets readers on their own path of inspiration in learning a new language. In this bedtime story, children will have a chance to learn Greek and, at the same time, learn English. A Sea of Stars was set up for those who want to learn either language while promoting an empathic and gentle storyline. With beautiful illustrations, an easy-to-follow format, and clear text, kids can get a unique experience in fostering their own creativity. This book is a part of a series that takes on a different main character and relationship to focus on, creating a unique message every time to have the ability to connect with its readers. If you ever wanted to learn a little Greek inside of a gentle and empowering book, then this book is the one to read.
So take a chance and add something new to your child’s bedtime stories. Switch to a new language and observe a new culture and their experiences. No matter which one you choose, you are bound to experience a new world of adventure and learn a few words that you can take with you on your new journey in learning a new language. Do a new language each night or even just focus on one language, and you’ll be bound to create a new reading routine you won’t want to miss.
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