Creating a bilingual children’s library? It can be difficult to find well-written books in both Spanish and English, so here I’ve done the research for you.
Following is a list of bilingual books/books available in both Spanish and English designed for the next stage: older toddlers and young children (very young Pre-K through 1st grade). These books are classics for a bilingual classroom or bilingual home. Although some are simple teaching books, such as Perro Grande, Perro Pequeño, others provide more of an actual story-with-a-plot. All are bilingual or are easily available in both English or Spanish. (With 2 exceptions, which are included only because they’re so good you should keep watch for them at used book sales.) You can use this list as a starting place whether you’re a parent, teacher, or children’s librarian.
If you notice that several important authors have been excluded, check for them on last week’s list of bilingual board books, geared toward babies and young toddlers.
Note to parents: look for these books in your local library before buying if you’re trying to save money! I spent several years working as a children’s librarian, and I loved it when parents took advantage of our resources!
Bilingual Children’s Library for Older Toddlers/Young Children
These books are either slightly longer in content and thus suited for the longer attention spans of older toddlers, or are simply a paperback version better for use for children past the drooling-and-grabbing stage. They’re appropriate for a bilingual classroom or your bilingual home.
It can be difficult to find bilingual books for older toddlers and young children. Therefore, some of these books are separate Spanish/English editions, and you can choose which you want, based on resources you already have (such as your local library). Usually I find that I need to buy the Spanish edition, but the English one is in my library. Whenever possible, though, I have listed true bilingual editions.
Fun Reads
- Perro Grande, Perro Pequeño – A book of contrasts, useful when teaching opposites to young children. (Or when learning the correct words together.) It is available in hardcover, but not as a board book for babies.
2. La Mariquita Malhumorada / The Grouchy Ladybug The English version of this beloved Eric Carle book can often be found in your local library.
3. A Rebotar! (Bounce!) My mom-in-law found this delightful book in Spanish at a teacher’s garage sale. You may have to buy it used or at an educator’s booksale. The English edition of this book by Doreen Cronin is Bounce! In either language, it’s a very easy and fun read aloud for toddlers.
4. Clic, Clac, Muu: Vacas Escritoras A humorous story by Doreen Cronin that may be more fun for you than your child, this book provides fun illustrations to make the smallest preschooler happy. (The English version is: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, also usually available in libraries.)
5. Curious George Visits the Aquarium/Jorge el curioso… Many of the Curious George series of books have been translated into Spanish, including this bilingual book about an aquarium visit.
A few more from the Curious George series for your bilingual children’s library:
6. Jorge el curioso (The monkey who started it all!)
7. Jorge el curioso y los bomberos/Curious George and the Firefighters
8. Curious George: A Treasury (bilingual edition) The great thing about this book, other than having 8 stories for your little monkey-lovers, is that it’s fully bilingual. No running around finding other versions in your desired language.
From the beloved Dr. Seuss, the following books in Spanish of which you can easily find inexpensive English versions:
9. El Gato ensombrerado (Cat in the Hat) The bilingual version is available HERE.
10. Huevos verdes con jamón (Green Eggs and Ham)
10. Un Pez, Dos Peces, Pez Rojo, Pez Azul (One Fish, Two Fish is a surprisingly long read for a little person, so you may have to read it in installments! The English version is easily found in most libraries in the United States, or you can buy it here.)
More Beloved English Children’s Books
11. Ve, Perro. Ve!/ Go, Dog. Go! This book by P.D. Eastman is as beloved as his Are You My Mother?/ Eres Tú Mi Mama?
12. El Pez Arco Iris / The Rainbow Fish This favorite book about sharing, by Marcus Pfister, is now available in a bilingual version.
13. The Velveteen Rabbit/El Conejo de Terciopelo What makes a more sugary-sweet story than a deserving toy coming to life? 🙂
14. Corduroy I’ve linked to the Spanish edition, since the English one is readily available in most U.S. public 
libraries with children’s sections.
15. Sílbale a Willie Ezra Jack Keats wrote this book along with many other beloved stories. The English version is called Whistle for Willie. My little boy enjoys the pictures in this one. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any Keats books in bilingual format. You’ll also enjoy his prizewinning book:
16. A Snowy Day. In Spanish, it’s Un Día de Nieve.
17. La casa adormecida / The Napping House The illustrations are my favorite part about this beloved book (the colors change when the household wakes up). Children will enjoy the rhythm of the words.
European Fairy Tales
Many traditional European fairy tales have been presented in bilingual versions, such as 18. Cenicienta / Cinderella,
19. The Ugly Duckling/El Patito Feo,
20. The Three Billy Goats Gruff: Los Tres Chivitos,
21. The Princess and the Pea: La Princesa y el Guisante,
22. The Three Little Pigs: Los Tres Cerditos and
23. Little Red Riding Hood/Caperucita Roja. I love that these old stories actually have a plot, although they’re still short enough to read to small children! If you want to browse Amazon’s collection of bilingual European fairy tales, go to this page: Bilingual Fairy Tales
Since not every story took place in Europe, it’s important to include stories from other cultures in your bilingual children’s library:
Multicultural Stories and Nursery Rhymes
24. La Sorpresa de Nandi is a fun, easy read with colorful, beautiful illustrations of a Kenyan village and landscape. It makes me smile every time I read it aloud to my little man. The English version is Handa’s Surprise. Unfortunately, I was unable to find it in a bilingual edition.
25. Quinito, Day and Night / Quinito, día y noche This vibrant book of opposites and quiet family life is the perfect example of a well-done bilingual book for young children.
26. Algo de nada (by Phoebe Gilman) In English, it’s Something from Nothing. In either language, it’s a beautiful story about the relationship between grandson and grandfather, and about making do with what you have.
27. Abiyoyo Like with A Rebotar, you might have to look for the Spanish edition of this book at used book sales for teachers. (I own the Spanish version, so I promise it exists!) This story-song by Pete Seeger is a bit long for a toddler, but children in kindergarten/first grade will enjoy the vibrant illustrations. And I can sometimes get J to sit through a reading. (Potty training book!) If you can’t find the book but would love to hear it in Spanish, there’s a wonderful public reading of the big book presented by the city of Tijuana. You can watch it on YouTube.
28. Once Upon a Time/Habia una vez: Traditional Latin American Tales/Cuentos tradicionales latinoamericanos – This book is on my wishlist still!
29. ¡Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes I love how these traditional nursery rhymes were translated into English. They are not translated word-for-word but rather with an ear for rhythm and rhyme. Baby J and I enjoy this book, especially the sections we can sing. (If you bought any of the music from our Resources list, you’ll find the written version of some of those nursery songs in this book.) I would definitely include this book in any list for a bilingual children’s library, whether at school or in the home.
Bible Stories
My favorite bedtime Bible storybook for young children is:
30. Biblia para niños, Historias de Jesús… / The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name, by Sally Lloyd Jones (illustrated by Jago). The fun illustrations help keep a child’s attention, while each Bible story points to Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament. I especially loved the retelling of the story of Leah, Jacob’s wife. I had never before heard it told in a way that showed its connections to Christ the Redeemer and Rescuer.
Trying to make a Spanish/English bilingual home for your child? You’ll enjoy our bilingual series:
- Our Bilingual Baby (about raising a child in a bilingual home even when both parents are native speakers of the same language, such as English)
- Resources I Use to Make a Bilingual Home for Our Child
- 21 Bilingual Board Books for Your Baby (Spanish/English)
Enjoy the adventure of reading and promoting literacy in two languages!
Let us know in the comment section below the titles of your favorite bilingual books for children! Languages other than Spanish are welcomed, of course!
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