Alas, for us adults, the best time to learn a new language is in childhood. Kids’ brains are little sponges, soaking up every new tidbit of information that comes their way. In fact, 90% of brain growth occurs by the age of five. Kids who are read to at least three times a week are twice as likely to score in the top percentiles on reading tests when they enter elementary school. Consider capitalizing on the importance of reading and the sponginess of those young brains by spending part of your story times reading a book in another language.
Whether you and your child are already multilingual or if you are looking to learn a new language, there is no better way to practice than by reading together. These classic books are tried and true favorites of many children. The familiar pictures and plotlines of books by beloved authors such as Eric Carle, Maurice Sendak and Mo Willems will help reinforce foreign language knowledge while delighting both of you.
La Paloma Encuentra un Perro Caliente!/Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! (Spanish)
By: Mo Willems and F. Isabel Campoy
Pigeon’s back! And he’s found “un perro caliente!” But a hungry (and very sly) duckling enters
the scene and wants a bite of the hot dog. Who will be the more clever bird?
For the first time, Mo Willems’s “New York Times” best-selling The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! is available in Spanish for a new group of kids to fall in love with. (Publisher’s Marketing)
Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo, Que Ves Ahi? (Spanish)
By: Bill Martin, Jr and Teresa Mlawer
The beloved classic in a Spanish language edition, now available in board book format.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a classic of children’s literature. Bill Martin’s rhythmic text speaks directly to young children, and Eric Carle’s gorgeous illustrations hold children enraptured reading after reading.
With this Spanish translation, now in a sturdy board book format, Spanish-speaking and bilingual children will be able to share the magic of the much loved Brown Bear and his friends. (Publisher’s Marketing)
El Ratoncito, La Fresa Roja y Madura, Y El Gran Oso Hambriento (Spanish)
By: Audrey Wood and Teresa Mlawer
The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry, and the big hungry bear. Little Mouse worries that the big, hungry bear will take his freshly picked, ripe, red strawberry for himself. El pequeno raton se preocupa que el oso grande, hambriento tomara su fresa recientemente escogida, madura, roja para se. (Publisher’s Marketing)
Bonsoir, Lune (French)
By: Margaret Wise Brown
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.”
And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—he says goodnight.
In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. (Publisher’s Marketing)
David Va à L’École (French)
By: David Shannon
David’s teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David’s high-energy antics fill each schoolday with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader. (Publisher’s Marketing)
Je T’Aimerai Toujours (French)
By: Robert M. Munsch
A young woman holds her newborn son.
And looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him: “I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”
So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions of Americans. Since publication in 1986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition.
Horton Hears a Who! (Simplified Chinese)
By: Dr. Seuss
Simplified Chinese edition of Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss. The book is made into an animated movie. Dr. Seuss illustrates children’s pure hearts and curious minds and loving others through a kind elephant Horton who tries to protect the tiny little creatures… Heartwarming and affectionate story. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc. (Publisher’s Marketing)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Simplified Chinese)
By: Eric Carle
Simplified Chinese edition of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Same classic paintings and ingenious path devoured by the caterpillar. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc. (Publisher’s Marketing)
Where the Wild Things Are (Traditional Chinese)
By: Maurice Sendak
In this Caldecott Medal winner, Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their king. Traditional Chinese translation. (Publisher’s Marketing)
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