Languages to Grow On
Multilingual board books introduce young readers to the sounds and rhythms of more than one language from the very start, helping to build early literacy skills, expand vocabulary, and strengthen cognitive development. These books also celebrate diversity, offering children a window into different traditions and perspectives. By sharing stories in multiple languages, families can bridge cultures and foster a love of language that lasts a lifetime.
The CBC is delighted to share both a curated selection of multilingual board books as well as a downloadable spreadsheet of the full list of these important books.
Click on each cover image to expand
¡Al bebé le encanta codificar! / Baby Loves Coding! (Spanish Bilingual Edition), by Ruth Spiro; illustrated by Irene Chan (Charlesbridge) — Concepts, Technology / Inventions, Imagination / Play, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Baby Play (Bilingual Arabic & English), by Skye Silver (Barefoot Books) — Family / Community, Concepts, Imagination / Play, English / Arabic, ages 0-3.
Baby’s First Words (Bilingual Chinese & English), by Stella Blackstone & Sunny Scribens; illustrated by Christiane Engel (Barefoot Books) — Concepts, Family / Community, Imagination / Play, English / Chinese, ages 0-3.
Babymoni: Hora del baño, written & illustrated by Rocio Bonilla (Albatros) — Mental / Physical Health, Imagination / Play, Concepts, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Bear Says “Thank You” / Oso Dice Gracias, by Michael Dahl; illustrated by Oriol Vidal (Capstone / Picture Window Books) — Animals, Kindness / Generosity, Humor, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Click on each cover image to expand
Bebe Fútbol (Soccer Baby Spanish Edition), by Diane Adams; illustrated by Charlene Chua; translated by Claudia Hoepelman (Viking Books for Young Readers) — Sports / Games / Recreation, Friendships, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Chica chica bum bum (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom), by Bill Martin Jr; illustrated by Lois Ehlert (Simon & Schuster / Libros Para Los Ninos) — Concepts, Imagination / Play, Humor, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Colors/Colores (Bilingual edition), written & illustrated by Union Square & Co. (UNSQ Kids) — Concepts, Imagination / Play, Bilingual, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
¡Cuántos, cuántos Pies! (The Foot Book Spanish Edition), written & illustrated by Dr. Seuss (Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers) — Concepts, Imagination / Play, Humor, Spanish, ages 0-3.
El Día de los Muertos, written & illustrated by Bob Barner; translated by Teresa Mlawer (Holiday House) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Cultural Diversity, Religion / Spirituality, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Click on each cover image to expand
El Pez Arcoíris, written & illustrated by Marcus Pfister; translated by David Bowles (NorthSouth Books) — Friendships, Kindness / Generosity, Concepts, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Fast and Slow (Bilingual Bengali & English), written & illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Barefoot Books) — Concepts, Construction / Transportation, Places / Travel, English / Bengali, ages 0-3.
First Friends: Shapes (Bilingual French & English), by Mk Smith Despres; illustrated by Aya Watanabe (Barefoot Books) — Friendships, Family / Community, Concepts, English / French, ages 0-3.
Kiss by Kiss / ocêhtowina, by Richard Van Camp; translated by Mary Cardinal Collins (Orca Book Publishers) — Concepts, Math, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, English / Cree, ages 0-3.
La cebra Manuela, by Caracolino; illustrated by Canizales (NubeOcho) — Animals, Friendships, Art / Performing Arts, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Click on each cover image to expand
Mindful Tots: Animal Antics (Bilingual Portuguese & English), by Whitney Stewart; illustrated by Rocio Alejandro (Barefoot Books) — Mental / Physical Health, Animals, Imagination / Play, Concepts, English / Portuguese, ages 0-3.
¿Qué llenará la canasta? / What Will Fit? (Spanish Bilingual Edition), written & illustrated by Grace Lin (Charlesbridge) — Math, STEM / STEAM, BIPOC Characters and Creators, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Ser una familia (Families Can Spanish Edition), by Dan Saks; illustrated by Brooke Smart; translated by Yanitzia Canetti (Rise x Penguin Workshop / Penguin Young Readers) — Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, Social Emotional Learning, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Spheres All Year / Esferas todo el año, by Elizabeth Everett; illustrated by Anuki Lopez (Platypus Media / Science, Naturally!) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Concepts, Math, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Stripes of All Types / Rayas de todas las tallas, written & illustrated by Susan Stockdale (Peachtree) — Animals, Science / Nature, Concepts, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Click on each cover image to expand
Te Amo Hasta La Luna y Las Estrellas, by Amelia Hepworth; illustrated by Tim Warnes; translated by Maria Correa & Mauricio Correa (Tiger Tales) — Family / Community, Social Emotional Learning, Animals, Spanish, ages 0-3.
That’s Mine! (Bilingual Haitian Creole & English), by Sumana Seeboruth; illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin (Barefoot Books) — Social Emotional Learning, Kindness / Generosity, Friendships, Imagination / Play, English / Haitian Creole, ages 0-3.
Trop tard pour jouer!, by Lawrence Schimel; illustrated by Elīna Brasliņa; translated by Rachel Martinez (Orca Book Publishers) — Family / Community, Imagination / Play, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime, French, ages 0-3.
Tu bosque, written & illustrated by Jon Klassen; translated by Ana Izquierdo (Candlewick Press) — Concepts, Imagination / Play, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime, Spanish, ages 0-3.
Words Are Not for Hurting / Las palabras no son para lastimar, by Elizabeth Verdick; illustrated by Marieka Heinlen (Free Spirit Publishing) — Social Emotional Learning, Kindness / Generosity, Concepts, English / Spanish, ages 0-3.
Check out more Diversity booklists and resources, and our Inclusivity Resources.
