Teaching your child Spanish is one of the best gifts you can give them. When you start your bilingual Spanish journey, you may not know where or how to begin. Books are excellent tools to help you in this process and can make the journey feel less daunting. From introducing basic vocabulary and engaging stories to proper grammar use, books will become like a best friend in your child's bilingual development.
The best approach when using books as you raise a bilingual child is to balance between fun and engaging books and educational ones. You want to avoid presenting the language as a subject or chore. Whenever possible, find ways to make language learning part of play and connection; this approach will help your child be more receptive.
Most of the books listed have been incredibly supportive in my own Spanish language journey with my daughter. I am happy to share my thoughts with you. Remember, every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The key is to not give up, keep trying different things, and see what resonates with your child. I'm also including a special recommendation from me to help you on your path to raising a bilingual child que hable español! I encourage you to bookmark this page for reference so you can refer back to it in the future as your child grows or print this free bookmark we've created for you to reference.
Best Books to Teach Your Child Spanish
1. Cali's Books Spanish Nursery Rhymes Sound Book for Babies, Toddlers 1-3, 2-4 Girl and Boy
For babies and toddlers, Cali's Books Spanish Nursery Rhymes musical board book is a perfect way to introduce them to Spanish through familiar nursery songs. I love sound books so that baby can start hearing the Spanish sounds, and if mom is a bit unsure with her Spanish, this can be of support. It features an interactive button that babies can press to hear the songs. As a bonus, I like that the nursery rhymes are written out so that the book can grow with your child.
Why we love it:
Cali's Books Spanish Nursery Rhymes sound board book is perfect for developing early language skills and fine motor skills. As a board book, it's sturdy for those active babies and toddlers.
Book Info:
- Page Number: 16 Pages
- Type: Board Book
- Language: Spanish
- Reading Age: 1 to 4 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
Cali's Books Count - Nursery Rhymes Music Book for Toddlers 1-3
2. Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras (English and Spanish Edition)
This Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras book introduces the essence of Mexican Lotería while offering simple words in English and Spanish, graphically styled like a "carta." It's a playful and culturally rich way to learn new vocabulary and also makes a wonderful baby shower regalo.
Lil' Libros is one of my favorite Latine brands. While we didn't use them when my daughter was a baby (they weren't available), we now love the many additions that help little ones and toddlers begin to foster their bilingual skills.
Why we love it:
Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras and its connection to the Lotería game provides a cultural bonding opportunity from early on. It's also a great way to introduce culture and Spanish learning.
Book Info:
- Page Number: 22 Pages
- Type: Board Book
- Language: English & Spanish
- Reading Age: Baby to 4 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
Loteria: More First Words / Más primeras palabras: A Bilingual Picture Book
3. First 100 Words Bilingual: Primeras 100 palabras - Spanish-English Bilingual
When you want to expand your child's Spanish vocabulary and perhaps yours too, I find books like Primeras 100 Palabras to be invaluable. It's a great tool that grows with your child. In our home, I continue to use books like this and flashcards to increase my daughter's vocabulary. Featuring actual photographs rather than illustrations, it provides kids a realistic visual connection for each word.
Why we love it:
Primeras 100 Palabras features 100 photographs of items like food, animals, and toys that children can relate to. Because it features both English and Spanish words, it is a great tool for simultaneous bilinguals who are acquiring both languages at the same time.
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
My First Spanish Word Board Book/Mi Primer Libro de Palabras en Espanol
4. My First English - Español Learning Library (Mi Primera English - Español Learning Library)
With a similar concept to Primeras 100 Palabras, My First English - Español Learning Library features 10 mini board books with photographs containing words in English and Spanish. The books featured are: abc (alfabeto), Spanish alphabet, numbers (números), farm animals & pets (animales de la granja y mascotas), colors (colores), wild animals (animales salvajes), shapes (figuras), birds (aves), fruits (frutas), and vegetables (vegetales).
Why We Love It:
My First English - Español Learning Library (Mi Primera English - Español Learning Library) features small books perfect for little hands and on-the-go Spanish learning.
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
Over 150 English-Spanish First Words Bilingual Lift-a-Flap Board Book
5. Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Starter Spanish Workbook for Kids—PreK-Grade 1 Colors, Shapes, Alphabet, Numbers, Seasons, Weather, Sight Words Practice
Filled with activities and practice, Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Starter Spanish Workbook for Kids was incredibly helpful when my daughter was in preschool. It's a fantastic companion to what your child may be learning in preschool, helping them get started on writing and practicing basics like colors, numbers, shapes, and other fundamentals.
Why We Love It:
Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Starter Spanish Workbook for Kids is a workbook you can pull the sheets out of, so there's no need to be extra careful. There are also a variety of activities to keep your child engaged.
Book Info:
Page Number: 416 Pages
Type of Book: Paperback
Language: English
Reading Age: 3 to 6 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
Wipe Clean: Bilingual Workbook Ready for School / Cuaderno de trabajo listos para la escuela
6. Spanish-English Picture Dictionary
The Spanish-English Picture Dictionary is a great resource for building your child's Spanish vocabulary. Filled with 350 bright and colorful illustrations organized by subjects, I use this book as a learning supplement, focusing on 1 or 2 pages at a time. Repetition is essential in language learning, so don't worry if you spend several days on a single page. It's a valuable addition to any home library and will grow with your child.
Why we love it:
The Spanish-English Picture Dictionary is like having multiple flashcards in book format, with items grouped together to help kids categorize and understand terms better. The illustrations are also fun.
Book Info:
Page Number: 48 Pages
Type of Book: Paperback
Language: English
Reading Age: 5 to 9 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
Rosetta Stone Spanish Picture Dictionary
7. Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Spanish Workbook for Kids
The Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Spanish Workbook for Kids (Grades 1-3) is a great follow-up to the beginner's Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Starter Spanish Workbook for Kids. This workbook offers fun activities for kids and is perfect for children who are ready for more structured learning.
Why we love it:
The Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Spanish Workbook for Kids (Grades 1-3) covers a variety of subjects to keep kids engaged. As with the other workbook, you can tear out the pages, allowing your kids to work on one or a few pages at a time.
Book Info:
Page Number: 416 Pages
Type of Book: Paperback, Spiral-bound
Language: English and Spanish
Reading Age: 6 to 8 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
The Spanish Workbook for Grades 1, 2, and 3
8. My First Bilingual Little Readers: Level A: 25 Reproducible Mini-Books in English and Spanish That Give Kids a Great Start in Reading
My First Bilingual Little Readers is a hands-on activity book for kids to create their own mini books. They can color the images, cut the pages out, and read the mini stories. This is a perfect activity book for kids that prefer hands-on learning. The mini books are also great for on-the-go Spanish learning.
Why we love it:
My First Bilingual Little Readers is different from many other books and provides kids with a unique approach to language learning.
Book Info:
Page Number: 64 Pages
Type of Book: Paperback
Language: English and Spanish
Reading Age: 5 to 6 years old
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
English-Spanish First Little Readers: Guided Reading Level A
9. Nacho: Libro Inicial de Lectura
I can't express enough how much I love Nacho: Libro Inicial de Lectura. It's a bit dated, but it works! This is one of the many books used in Latin America to teach kids how to read, and it's also how I taught my daughter to read in Spanish. We still use it. It features pictures and builds upon what a child learns from one page to the next. If you get one book from this list, get this one! The key is to practice or read with them 10-15 minutes a day. This method really works. This book is only in Spanish.
Why we love it:
It's easy to use, and with repetition, your child will be reading in Spanish before you know it!
Book Info:
Page Number: 95 Pages
Type of Book: Paperback
Language: Spanish
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
10.The Spanish Workbook for Kids
is another great workbook that will keep them engaged in Spanish learning. This workbook is great even if your Spanish is not perfect, as the instructions are in English.
Why we love it:
is a practical and easy-to-follow workbook perfect for elementary learners. The spiral binding makes it easy for kids to complete the pages.
Book Info:
Page Number: 95 Pages
Type of Book: Spiral bound
Language: English and Spanish
If You Like This Board Book, You May Also Like:
BONUS. Nobody Told Me This About Raising a Bilingual Child
Nobody Told Me This About Raising a Bilingual Child is an essential guide and workbook for anyone raising a bilingual child, regardless of where they are in their journey. This book offers real-life insights, practical tips, and activity worksheets that aid in understanding the bilingual parenting journey. Written from personal experience, it includes everything that I wish someone had told me when I began this journey raising a bilingual and now multilingual child. It's a colorful and easy read and a perfect companion to your bilingual parenting. A definite must-read.
Why we love it:
Nobody Told Me This About Raising a Bilingual Child is a book written by a practical mom with parents in mind. An easy read that will not overwhelm the reader on the subject of bilingual parenting.
Book Info:
Page Number: 88 Pages
Type of Book: Hardcover or Paperback
Language: English
Final Thoughts on Best Books to Teach Your Child Spanish
Whether you're pregnant and just thinking about raising a bilingual child or have a child already in school, these books offer your growing child many opportunities to learn and practice Spanish. I encourage you to use these books in addition to storybooks that your child loves. Remember, making Spanish learning fun is essential to keep kids engaged and motivated.
If You Like This Blog Post, You May Also Like:
Children's Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage By Country
Bilingual Spanish Books to Build Confidence in Children
12 Bilingual Books in Spanish Perfect for Christmas
Kids Books About Reading and Learning in English and Spanish
Additional Resources:
Looking to foster a strong connection to your Latino roots and empower your child through bilingualism? Explore my comprehensive bilingual parenting course, Confident Bilingual Parenting: How to Raise a Bilingual Spanish Child Your Way. Gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and access to a private community, ensuring you have all the tools you need to nurture your child's language development and cultural awareness from an early age. It includes the Bilingual Resources Directory full of toys, books, media recommendations, and discounts.
For more insights and inspiration, consider tuning in to The Latina Mom Legacy Podcast, where Janny empowers parents raising bilingual kids through engaging case studies, expert interviews, and personal words of wisdom. Perhaps you would enjoy this episode, 444 Bilingual Parenting 101 - So You Want to Raise a Bilingual Child.
No matter which path you choose, rest assured that we're here to support your bilingual parenting journey in every way so you can raise a bilingual child que hable español!
Thanks for stopping by :) I'd love to hear your thoughts and any book recommendations you may have.
Janny Perez
noviembre 06, 2023
Hi Cheryl,
To be honest, I recommend Nacho or Coquito. They are formatted similarly and are the staple for Spanish-speaking Latinos in the US or across Latin America. It will help your grandchildren AND you learn to read as well as form vocabulary. It start with the simple syllable formations like "ma (mah), me (may), mi (me), mo (moe), mu (moo) with pictures that incorporate such syllables like mamá (mom) ama (love) and does the same for each letter. I recommend using google translate if you’re unsure of the translation and writing the translation underneath in Spanish for your reference. I used this book from when my daughter was 4 and taught her to read and better understand Spanish. The key is to only do 1 page at a time until all of you feel comfortable with pronunciation and vocabulary before moving on to the next, so you may spend 1-3 weeks on 1 page. That’s ok! It took us 3 years to get through the book :). Good luck!