Whether youre part of a bilingual family, living in a country not your own, or wanting to give your kid a head start on learning another language, these bilingual childrens books will help you bring Spanish, French, Mandarin, and more into your life.
Bilingual Spanish/English Board Books
Alrededor Del Mundo Con Cantinflas by Patty Rodriguez, Ariana Stein, and Citlali Reyes
Introduce your littles to their first English and Spanish words while you travel around the world including by train through the U.S. and in a hot air balloon through France.
This book is one of the few from the Lil Libros series, worth investigating for more great bilingual board books.
Cerca Close by Juan Felipe HerreraandBlanca Gmez
This book will help your child understand the notion of things being near to each other and people, too.
Good Morning Buenos Das byMeritxell Mart andXavier Salom
This pop-up book narrates what a morning can look like: dad shaves, the rooster crows, people drink coffee.
Good Night Buenas Noches byMeritxell Mart and Xavier Salom
In the companion volume, sliding tabs illustrate everyone and everything going to sleep: the cat, the trees, babys house.
La Oruga Muy Hambrienta The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Theres a reason this kids classic about a caterpillar eating his way through the world and becoming a butterfly has sold 12 million copies worldwide. Its delightful!
What Am I? byDiane de AndaandSara Sanchez
This lift-the-flap book used rhymes to introduce new Spanish words with a transport theme.
Bilingual Spanish/English Picture Books
Arroz con leche: Canciones y Ritmos Populares de Amrica Latina by Lulu Delacre
A collection of traditional songs from Latin America, with an English translation included alongside the original words.
Canta Conmigo/Sing With Me byJos-Luis OrozcoandSara Palacios
This collection of songs includes preschool classics like The Wheels on the Busand Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in both English and Spanish.
La Manta de Maya Mayas Blanket by Monica Brown andDavid Diaz
A delightful book about making memories and keepsakes and preserving them through the generations.
Marisol McDonald Doesnt Match by Monica Brown and Sara Palacios
This book is great for any kids of mixed heritage to be able to put their feelings into words and know they are not alone. Marisol celebrates her differences and so can the child reading her story.
Mart y sus versos por la libertad/Marts Song for Freedomby Emma Otheguy and Adriana Dominguez
A biography in verse of Jos Mart, who fought, among other things, for the abolition of slavery, political independence for Cuba.
Una Sorpresa Para Teresita/A Surprise for TeresitabyVirginia Snchez-KorrolandCarolyn Dee Flores
Teresita turns 7 today in a Puerto Rican neighbourhood of New York City and her To Ramn is going to bring her a surprise.
A Bilingual Spanish/English Book for Elementary School Kids
Calling the Doves/El canto de las palomas byJuan Felipe Herrera and Elly Simmons
Booklist has said of this inspirational memoir that its a welcome alternative to the usually bleak portrayal of the migrant farmworker experiencean inspirational self-portrait of a loving Latino family.
Bilingual Kids Books in French
Animals in French and English by Oui Love Books
Whether in the ocean, in the Arctic, or on a farm, meet dozens of animals in their natural habitats, with labels in both languages.
Ma journe de neige/My Snow Day byAlly Nathaniel and Milena Radeva
Three siblings all learn to work together to build a snow-woman, and learn about family, creativity and teamwork in the process.
Le Chat au Chapeau/The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss
The Dr Seuss classic is available in both French and Spanish.
O est le bb/Peekaboo baby bySujatha Lalgudi
Designed for kids learning French as a foreign language, this book features a baby on each page, and the reader must find the partly hidden eyes, ears, or nose.
Bonus tip: for more bilingual French/English books, head to a Canadian online bookstore.
Bilingual Kids Books in Mandarin and Cantonese
First Words in Chinese byJane C Thai
This book is full of animals and everyday objects to help children build their vocabulary.
Minas Scavenger Hunt by Katrina Liu and Rosalia Destarisa
Learn everyday words with Mina and her dog as they unearth clues to find hidden treasures. If you enjoy this one, you might also want to check outMinas First Day of School.
Jet Celebrates the New YearThis book will help your child pick up some common counting and measuring words while learning about Lunar New Year.
Bilingual Kids Book Available in Several Languages
The Kindergarteners Handbook by Dayna MartinandA.R. Roumanis
This book will help teach letters, numbers, colours, shapes, time, seasons, weather, and more 19 basic concepts in all so that your child can be ready for first grade. Versions exist in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Mandarin.
Want even more suggestions for bilingual childrens books? Check out these posts!