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Bilingual Spanish Picture Books

Top 10 Bilingual Spanish Picture Books

Posted on June 11, 2016March 23, 2025 by Pragmatic Mom

Please welcome illustrator Wendy Martin today with her Top 10 favorite Spanish bilingual picture books! I’m especially excited about bilingual Spanish picture books as a way to learn Spanish. This works equally well for kids and teens who are taking Spanish at school! I have another bilingual Spanish picture book list as well if you are looking for more titles.

——-

The Story Circle by Diane Gonzales Bertrand, illustrated by Wendy Martin

The Story Circle is a book about how some elementary school children cope when a terrible flood ruins all their storybooks. During circle time, their wise teacher tells them they can have fun without books by making up their own stories. She starts off with one of her own, which excites all the children into shouting out theirs. She then helps them to write the stories down and then to add pictures to the words, creating new books to put on the empty shelves in the classroom. [bilingual picture book, ages 2 and up]

Top 10 Bilingual Picture Books & GIVEAWAY

I’m so excited to bring to you my brand new book, The Story Circle by Diane Gonzales Bertrand. I’m the illustrator.  I was especially thrilled to be a part of this book because of its bilingual nature. There are so few uplifting storybooks for young children that are bilingual. Here are some of my favorites.

Top 10 Bilingual Picture Books & GIVEAWAY

Top 10 Bilingual Picture Books

1. Canta, Rana, Canta/Sing, Froggie, Sing a traditional folksong illustrated by Carolyn Dee Flores

Based on a traditional folk song that has been sung by parents and children in Spanish-speaking countries for generations, Canta, Rana, Canta / Sing, Froggie, Sing is a charming tale in which a lone frog is joined by larger and larger creatures much like the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly stories in English literature. The bright large imagery only adds to the bouncy funny tale. [bilingual picture book, ages 2 and up]

2. Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios

“My name is Marisol McDonald, and I don’t match. At least, that’s what everyone tells me.” Marisol is of mixed heritage, just like me. Also, just like me, her favorite outfits are stripes and dot combinations. Marisol won’t let the neigh-sayers make her conform to what they think she should be but revels in her uniqueness. [bilingual picture book, ages 4 and up]

3. Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia by Laura Lacamara

While Dalia slept, her hair grew and grew. By the time the rooster crowed, her hair had grown straight up to the sky, tall and thick as a Cuban royal palm tree.  As a child with thick curly hair, I would have loved to have a book to celebrate this feature. Dalia decorates her hair with and the natural elements of the Cuban countryside. Yeah for unruly locks! [bilingual picture book, ages 4 and up]


4. What Can You Do with a Paleta / ¿Qué Puedes Hacer con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Magaly Morales

Discover the joys of a paleta—the traditional Mexican popsicle treat sold from the wagon with the tinkling bell that brings children running from every direction. It’s so nice to see Hispanic American culture portrayed in such an accessible way to both native English and native Spanish speakers. Every American child can relate to the summer joy of a treat from the ice cream man. [bilingual picture book, ages 3 and up]

5. A Spoon for Every Bite / Cada Bocado con Nueva Cuchara by Joe Hayes, illustrated by Rebecca Leer

A delightful story based on the folk tale play on words about using a tortilla as a spoon. Pretty funny to see the clever, poor man outwit the vain, rich man. [bilingual picture book, ages 6 and up]

6. Rene Has Two Last Names / Rene tiene dos apellidos by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Fabiola Graullera Ramirez

René, a new student from El Salvador, doesn’t understand why his second last name is missing from his desk’s name label. Adding it results in a name so long that his classmates make fun of it by comparing it to that of a dinosaur. It’s wonderful to see a positive viewpoint on resolving the difficulties of having cultural differences from your peers. René uses a class project to show his classmates why his extra-long name is very important to him, and why he doesn’t want to shorten it to fit in. [bilingual picture book, ages 5 and up]


7. Floating on Mama’s Song/Flotando en la canción de mama by Laura Lacamara, illustrated by Yuyi Morales

Anita’s mama loves to sing. Her singing is so beautiful that everyone around her floats in the air, even the family dog. But one day Mama stops singing. Can Anita bring back her mother’s happiness? A story about a family that crosses 3 generations. Even without the story, I’d love to pour over the pages of this book to drink in the glorious artwork. [bilingual picture book, ages 4 and up]


8. The Day of the Dead / El Día de los Muertos by Bob Barner

Follow two kids on the Day of the Dead/El Dia de Los Muertodren as they celebrate their ancestors on this vibrant holiday. They offer marigolds, sugar skulls, and special bread, and make delicious foods. By spreading marigold petals, they guide the dead home to join the festivities. Finally, after singing and dancing, it’s time for bed. It’s so nice to have a book that celebrates the true meaning of this holiday in an accessible way for little children. [bilingual picture book, ages 4 and up]


9. The Gullywasher / El chaparron torencial by Joyce Rossi

Leticia’s grandfather, who was a vaquero as a young man, provides fanciful explanations for how he got his wrinkles, white hair, round belly, and stooped frame. This is another book I love just for the luscious art. Abuelito tells tall tales of how he became an old man. It’s funny, charming and heartwarming. [bilingual picture book, ages 5 and up]


10. Soap, Soap, Soap / Jabon, Jabon, Jabon by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Hugo’s mom sends him to the bodega for soap. He takes the long way around and ends up very dirty. This book is a fun adventure and a happy tale. The art is bright and bold.  [bilingual picture book, ages 5 and up]

 

The Story Circle GIVEAWAY

To win a copy of The Story Circle, please fill out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find my book, “The Story Circle” on Amazon or at the publisher’s website.

Top 10 Bilingual Picture Books & GIVEAWAY
A transplanted New Yorker now living in Missouri, Wendy Martin has been working as an illustrator for 25+ years.

Her love affair with art and illustration began at an early age. She never wanted to do anything else.

So, she followed my heart and earned a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, then continued my art education at the School of Visual Arts, earning a B.F.A. in Graphic Design. These disciplines can still be seen in her work as a children’s book illustrator and fantasy artist in the strong lines, textures, and detailed patterns.

See additional art and find out more about her at wendymartinillustration.com.

I’m part of The Story Circle blog tour. Here are the rest of the stops:


Top 10 Bilingual Picture Books & GIVEAWAY

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

Top 10 Bilingual Spanish Picture Books

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

For more ideas on how to teach kids Spanish, please check out my Pinterest board:

p.s. Related posts:

Top 10: Bilingual Spanish Picture Books

Top 10 Bilingual Spanish Picture Books & #GIVEAWAY

Bilingual Kids? Use books for more fun with Languages!

Teach Toddlers Spanish with Lil Libros

Bilingual Diversity Picture Book of the Day GIVEAWAY

Use Songs to Teach Kids Spanish

Simon Says in Spanish

Lucha Libre Children’s Books

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Teaching Kids Spanish on Pinterest.

 

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32 thoughts on “Top 10 Bilingual Spanish Picture Books”

  1. Wendy Martin says:
    June 11, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Thank you so much for having me stop by your blog today.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      The pleasure was all mine (and my readers). Thanks so much Wendy!!!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Oliger says:
    June 11, 2016 at 11:53 am

    I love Family Pictures by Carmen Lomas Garza.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Hi Jennifer,
      Thanks for your great book rec! I’m creating a bilingual Spanish picture book list myself so I will check out Family Pictures! Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Lowanda J says:
    June 13, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    I love this giveaway and would love to add them to my collection at work. I’m a school counselor.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Lowanda,
      Thanks for entering!

      Reply
  4. Lowanda J says:
    June 13, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    I have read bilingual books with my children and I like Margaret and Margarita.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Lowanda,
      Thanks for your great book recommendation! I’ll check it out!

      Reply
  5. Renee Alam says:
    June 13, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    I haven’t read any bilingual books to my child since I don’t speak more than one language but I think it’s important to expose children to different languages at an early age.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:10 pm

      Hi Renee,
      I hope your kids like them; you don’t have to read the Spanish part. Even looking at the Spanish words is a way to expose your kids to a new language.

      Reply
  6. Patricia Tilton says:
    June 13, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    I love your shares. There a couple I haven’t read and will check out!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      Hi Patricia,
      Thanks so much for your kind words! I have a few to read myself on this list!

      Reply
  7. Michelle says:
    June 15, 2016 at 11:11 am

    We haven’t been reading bilingual books much, but both of my girls will start taking Spanish next year, so I have a feeling we will be adding more titles like these to our reading list.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Hi Michelle,
      I hope they like bilingual Spanish picture books. I’m trying to get my Spanish learners to read them too.

      Reply
  8. maria gianferrari says:
    June 16, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Gracias/Thanks for all of the recommendations, Wendy!

    Reply
    1. Wendy Martin says:
      July 11, 2016 at 5:28 pm

      Holá Maria,

      ¡De nada!

      Chow!

      Reply
      1. Pragmatic Mom says:
        July 11, 2016 at 9:42 pm

        Thanks so much for your great post Wendy!

        Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 7:15 pm

      Thanks Wendy!

      Reply
  9. Stephanie says:
    June 21, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    What a beautiful list of books. I will look for them the next time I’m at the library so that I can share them with my students. I am sure they will love that they are bilingual and that they will be learning a 4th language in most cases.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      Hi Stephanie,
      Wow! 4th language?!! Are you teaching at an International School?

      Reply
      1. Stephanie Ranger says:
        July 15, 2016 at 1:57 am

        No, I teach in Ottawa, Canada; however all but one of my students speak another first language at home, and then at school we teach both French and English, therefore students are typically exposed to three languages per day!

        Reply
        1. Pragmatic Mom says:
          August 6, 2016 at 6:32 pm

          Hi Stephanie,
          That’s great exposure to foreign languages. I bet your students pick up Spanish really quickly since they know French!

          Reply
  10. Sarah says:
    July 2, 2016 at 9:03 am

    I use bilingual books daily at home, these are great finds, thank you!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      I’m so glad you like this list Sarah!

      Reply
  11. Gayle H Swift says:
    July 2, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Several omf these are new to me and they look like gems. Thanks for this post!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 11, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you so much for coming by Gayle!!

      Reply
  12. Tiffiny says:
    July 21, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    I have bookmarked this page since I am continuously looking for quality Spanish bilingual picture books to use with my daughter. I’m hoping my library will have some of these.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 6, 2016 at 7:03 pm

      Hi Tiffany,
      Glad this was helpful for you! I’m starting to see more and more bilingual Spanish books so I’ll keep posting on them. They can vary in quality!

      Reply
  13. Katie Logonauts says:
    September 18, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    Great list, and The Story Circle sounds so charming. As a teacher, I can definitely relate to the everyone-yelling-ideas-at-once! #diversekidlit

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      September 23, 2016 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks so much Katie! The Story Circle sounds like a great book for a classroom read aloud!

      Reply
  14. Samaira says:
    August 10, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Wow …Such beautiful pictures in the books will help our art students learning at our Institute.Thank you for the share…

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 10, 2017 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks so much Samaira!

      Reply

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