By Yoshiko Nakamura, CRRL Children's Specialist
Is your child interested in Spanish? Here is a list of what the library has to offer.
Bilingual (Spanish / English) picture books
, opens a new windowA great starter is I'm Hungry = ¡Tengo Hambre!, opens a new window, by Angela Dominguez, where the readers can easily guess what the Spanish words and phrases mean. Books in this category can range from books mostly in English with some Spanish to fully bilingual books with side-by-side English and Spanish.
Bilingual & Spanish picture books with audio
, opens a new windowThese awesome portable readalongs, opens a new window are books that read to you with a push of a button, so children can listen to native Spanish narrators. Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match,, opens a new window by Monica Brown, and many others are fully bilingual, while others are only in Spanish, such as Buenas Noches, Luna, by Margaret Wise Brown.
Kids’ tablets with Spanish reading and games
, opens a new windowWhy not learn Spanish while playing on a Launchpad, opens a new window tablet? These are perfect for preschoolers and younger children. Example: Si! Yes! Si!, opens a new window
Spanish streaming videos for children on Kanopy*
, opens a new windowKanopy Kids, opens a new window has Muzzy Spanish for Kids, opens a new window, Food Comida, opens a new window, and other streaming videos either in Spanish or bilingual. Hola Amigos, opens a new window is a “gentle introduction” to Spanish for K-12.
*To access these videos free through the library, create an account on the Kanopy website, opens a new window by selecting our library and entering your library card barcode and PIN. Kanopy Kids is unlimited and ad free, and you can set a passcode for parental control.
LOTE4Kids, opens a new window digital bilingual books
LOTE4Kids has over 100 stories that can be switched between Spanish, English, or bilingual. The texts are highlighted as they are read and have optional quizzes.
hoopla Digital
, opens a new windowHoopla has over 1 million titles with no waiting, and you can check out 5 items each month. A search for "Spanish" brings up audiobooks and music CDs for learning the language. You will need to be logged into your hoopla account to connect to these resources. Don't have an account? Learn how to get one here., opens a new window
- Learn Spanish, opens a new window (47min) introduces Spanish through 12 songs. Great for toddlers and up.
- Spanish Club for Kids: The Fun Way for Children to Learn Spanish with Collins, opens a new window (29min) is full of Spanish tongue twisters, rhymes, songs, and jokes for children 3-12 years old.
- Spanish for Kids with Paul Noble, opens a new window (8 hours) is a great audio-only Spanish class where you are not expected to memorize anything, write things down, nor understand grammar. For children 8+ and busy adults.
Just For Kids Access Video
, opens a new windowNo need to make an account or log in. Just click on the above link, and click again on the double arrow “>>” to access over 400 short videos in Spanish. Some are readings of Spanish versions of classic books, such as Cinderella, Puss in Boots, and Where the Wild Things Are. There is also a Video Vocab series that explains scientific vocabulary in Spanish, such as *Metamorfosis, opens a new window or *Preciptiaciones, opens a new window. (*These links will work once you open Just For Kids Access Video., opens a new window)
Transparent Language
, opens a new windowThis online language learning resource has KidSpeak for Latin American Spanish and Castilian Spanish, with picture cues to help young learners.
Mango Languages
, opens a new windowThis online language learning resource is good for older children, teens, and adults.
There are also plenty of online Spanish materials for kids, such as the Eat Your Spanish, opens a new window podcast, which is highly recommended for toddlers and up.
Good luck, and have fun!
