Favorite Spanish Books for Young Children
Do you and a child dear to you have similar taste in books?
By favorite, I mean favorite books of young children with whom I have shared books. These books are also in Spanish or in both English and Spanish for bilingual youngsters. Many of these books, such as La nevera de Maddi, include read-alouds online. I especially credit Dr. Alma Flor Ada, my doctoral advisor, who kindled my passion for writing about multi-cultural literature.
La nevera de Maddi (Maddi's Fridge, Spanish Edition shared in Storyline video at beginning of this post) by Lois Brandt (Author), Vin Vogel (Illustrator).
The books that I have shared with young children dear to me usually include one or more of the following features:
Illustrations that appeal to the child and me
Interactive sound, usually classical music
Rhyme and/or rhythm
Humor
Values
Mind-expanding topic
Lakeshore’s Board Book Collection highlights three of the books that I mention in this post, in both English and Spanish.
The public library is a great place to find books for young children. Following are some of our favorites in Spanish:
La llama llama rojo pijama (Llama, Llama, Red Pajama Paperback, June 13, 2017. Spanish Edition by Anna Dewdney (Author, Illustrator)
Buenas Noches, Luna (Goodnight Moon) by Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by Clement Hurd.
Buenas Noches, Luna 1 2 3 : Un Libro (Goodnight Moon 1 2 3 A Counting Book/Board Book) by Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by Clement Hurd
La oruga muy hambrienta (The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle)
La pequeña locomotora que sí pudo (The Little Engine that Could). Spanish Edition by Watty Piper (Author). Original illustrators: George and Doris Hauman. Translated into Spanish by Alma Flor Ada.
El Cuento de Ferdinando (The Story of Ferdinand, in Spanish) by Muneo Leaf (Author), Robert Lawson (Illustrator)
Oso pardo, oso pardo, ¿qué ves ahí? ( Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Spanish Edition by Bill Martin Jr. (Author), Eric Carle (Illustrator), Teresa Mlawer (Translator)
El habla de animalesn (Animal Talk: Mexican Folk Art Animal Souds) First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art Board book, Picture by Cynthia Weill (Author), Rubi Fuentes (Artist), Efrain Broa (Artist)
¿Eres Mi Mama? (Are You My Mama?) by P.D. Eastman (Author)
Celebrate Mardi Gras with Joaquin, Harlequin
This book is part of a series by Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy on the most important holidays and festivities celebrated in the United States. The first illustrated part of each book in the series is a realistic fiction story. The second part, illustrated with photographs, explains the history and significance of the holiday or celebration. Two CDS include the readings of the 12 stories in English, and two CDS include the reading of th 12 stories in Spanish.
Something To Think About
What are your child’s favorite books?
Why are these books his/her favorite?
What are your favorite books for young children?
Why are these books your favorite?
Do your child and you have similar taste in books?
Why or why not?