Beautiful Spanish Picture Books for Children

The best way to encourage literacy in your children is to read aloud to them and surround them with books. I’m trying to encourage my children to learn Spanish, even though we live in an English-speaking town, so I’m building up our library of Spanish and bilingual children’s books. If you are interested in forming a Spanish/English bilingual environment for your child, you will enjoy the following list of the most beautiful Spanish picture books that we have found. These books are all remarkable for their gorgeous art. Many of them are best for children over the age of 3 because they are story-rich as well as picture-rich.

(If you’re looking for beautiful bilingual board books for younger children, check out this list.)

15 Beautiful Spanish Picture Books to Help Your Child Learn Spanish

(or to improve Spanish literacy)

First, two books by Susanna Isern, who has worked with gifted artists such as Daniel Montero Galán.

Cartas en el bosque

Susanna Isern.

This incredibly sweet translation of The Lonely Mailman features stunning and imaginative artwork showing animals exchanging letters delivered by a quiet bicyclist. (Watch for the twist in the story!) A lovely tale of friendship and thoughtfulness.
Bogo Quierelotodo

Susanna Isern.

The rich colors of the artwork alone are worth spending time in this book. (See the sample page at left.) However, the entertaining story of a creature who wants to have all the best features of everyone else is a lighthearted reminder that we are each special in our own way.
La semillita.

Eric Carle.

Eric Carle’s trademark whimsical artwork follows the story of a tiny seed that travels a long way and becomes a giant flower. This Spanish picture book is a good way to introduce the idea of seasons, growth, and some basic botany! (Many Eric Carle books have been translated, and we have a number of them, including De La Cabeza a Los Pies, which is wonderful for younger children.)
La Araña Muy Ocupada

Eric Carle.

This Carle book deserves its own place in the list, simply because it is a particularly beautiful picture book. We have the board book version, and I love its sturdy construction and the glittery spiderweb that little hands can trace as you read the story aloud.
La mariquita malhumorada

Eric Carle.

One last Eric Carle book! This grumpy ladybug tries to pick a fight with a series of animals, none of which are big enough for the battle she envisions. The pages grow as time goes by and the animals get larger.
Las huellas secretas

Julia Alvarez

Author Julia Alvarez is from the Dominican Republic and writes with grace and playfulness. This magical story about an underwater world is beautifully illustrated by Fabian Negin.
El Aullido de los Monos

Kristine L. Franklin.

This lovely book about the actions of one Costa Rican woman who brings the monkeys back to her valley is vibrantly illustrated.
Una noche oscura.

Hazel Hutchins.

A little boy, a cat, and a very dark and stormy night…the pictures in this book are dark, as expected, but include a masterful use of light. Note: The Spanish translation of this book may be difficult to find now. Check used book sales online or at libraries.
Se Venden Gorras

Esphyr Slobodkina.
This colorful, simple classic never fails to delight my little son. The repetition helps with reenforcing Spanish words, and the maddening monkeys are delightfully mischievous.
Algo de nada

Phoebe Gilman.

I love the touching story of the grandfather who can always make something from his grandson’s favorite piece of cloth, no matter how small or worn out it becomes. The illustrations are tender and detailed.
Dia de mercado

Lois Ehlert.

Ehlert’s collage-style illustrations are not classically beautiful like many of the illustrations in previously listed books. They are colorful and alive. I particularly loved that she chose to use folk art from around the world to make her compositions. My young son has always loved this book.
La luz de Lucía

Margarita del Mazo & Silvia Alvarez.

The glowing illustrations in this coming-of-age story about a firefly are magical.
La coleccionista de palabras

Sonja Wimmer

The mixture of collage and drawings in this book about a girl who loves words is beautifully compelling.
La gallinita, el Gallo y el frijol

Lada Josefa Kratky.
This book doesn’t initially grab one’s eye in the way others on this list may. However, it’s a lovely, colorful presentation of a folk tale about kindness. The people to whom the hen goes to ask for help are realistically drawn characters you feel you may have seen before reading this book!
La Señorita Runfio

Barbara Cooney.

Miss Rumphius is a beloved, beautifully illustrated (and Caldecott Award-winning) story. It tells about someone who wanted to make the world a more beautiful place. This edition is the Spanish translation.