A-ZTEC: A Bilingual Alphabet book by Emmanuel Valtierra - ADVISABLE

A-ZTEC: A Bilingual Alphabet book by Emmanuel Valtierra. PICTURE BOOK Levine Querido, 2025. $20. 9781646145676 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL -  ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

This bilingual ABC book poetically teaches the gods, myths, words, and culture of the Aztecs. In the style of a codex, with a poem in both English and Spanish, colorful illustrations help represent each concept. 

I liked that there is a pronunciation of the word on the same page spread, in addition to the pronunciations and etymology provided in the appendix. This would be a fun addition to a class studying the Aztecs. 

Lisa Librarian 

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lope and Abraham Matias - OPTIONAL

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lope, illustrated Abraham Matias. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2025. $18. 9781623544577 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Nan loves to cook, and she loves her grandchildren, and she especially loves her little dog Popo. But she is also old and tired and hurts. One evening while sleeping in her chair, she passes away - and Popo, her Xolo (pronounced cholo) leads her on her journey to reunite with Abuelo. 

Another picture book about grief - I have read several this year, I wonder why there are so many. The illustrations were beautiful, deep oranges and greens and purples. Lots of Spanish - the glossary includes a pronunciation guide, and there's also some nice resources at the end, describing what a Xoloitzcuintle is, the nine levels of Mictlan (the place where people go who've passed on). Also the author tells about losing her own Nana. The characters are indigenous Mexican.

Lisa Librarian 

¡Tocamos! Mexican Folk Art Music Makers in English and Spanish written by Cynthia Welli, art by Avelino Pérez - ADVISABLE

¡Tocamos! Mexican Folk Art Music Makers in English and Spanish written by Cynthia Welli, art by Avelino Pérez. PICTURE BOOK. Cinco Puntos Press (Lee & Low Books), 2025. $20. 9781947627819

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-2) - ADVISABLE

  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A flock of feathered friends come together to make some beautiful music with a variety of instruments. Follow along as you learn a whole new musical vocabulary with some beautiful Mexican folk art. 

I love the bright colors of the book, paired with the beautiful original wooden sculptures from the Mexican folk artist Avelino Pérez. The text is simple but effective. Overall, a very charming introduction to musical words in Spanish, and could be used as a little primer on Mexican culture.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

El libro de dar las gracias/The Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray and Stephanie Graegin - OPTIONAL

El libro de dar las gracias/The Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper Collins Publishers), 2018. $6. 9780358731115

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

This Spanish/English version of The Thank You Book is a great bilingual tool for reminding readers to be grateful for all the things around us in our daily lives. It's full of adorable human and anthropomorphic animal characters interacting with each other in day-to-day scenarios and recognizing all the things to be grateful for.

The story is sweet and a great reminder to live life with gratitude. Being able to read the story in both Spanish and English is perfect for language learners. The illustrations are fun and detailed in a beautiful color palette. The human characters are presented in varying skin tones.

Angie Campbell - EL Librarian

Pepita Meets Bebita by Ruth Behar & Gabriel Frye-Behar, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga - ESSENTIAL

Pepita Meets Bebita by Ruth Behar & Gabriel Frye-Behar, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga.  PICTURE BOOK.  Knopf Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2023.  $19.  9780593566985

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Pepita the puppy is used to being the baby of the family. Then one day, that starts to change as everyone prepares to welcome a new human baby to the family. Will Pepita find her new place in the new mixup of things?

Um, super adorable. This story will be appealing to young readers because they will love the doggy narrator, but it will also serve as a good guide for students who have to deal with younger siblings. I also loved the bilingualism throughout the story, the seamless transition between English and Spanish.

Kiera, ELA teacher #bookswithbeddes

Josè and Feliz Play Fùtbol by Susan Rose and Solvia Lòpez Gloria Fèlix - ADVISABLE

Josè and Feliz Play Fùtbol by Susan Rose and Solvia Lòpez Gloria Fèlix 48 pages. EARLY READER Penguin Workshop, 2023. $6. 9780593521205

 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Josè is excited to have been picked for the school soccer team. While practicing in the backyard, his dog Feliz picks up several soccer skills tapping, bumping, and pushing the ball with his head, nose, and paws. When Josè takes Feliz to practice with the team, Feliz also wants to play soccer. When it comes time for the game, Josè has to teach Feliz to stay on the sidelines and watch. 

A nice story about a boy, soccer, and his dog. There is some Spanish throughout the story. All of the Spanish words and phrases used in the text are listed at the end with the English translations. This early reader book would be great for children who are also learning Spanish. Josè his mom and sister appear to be Latin, Josè's father appears to be white. 

A. Snow

Pablo Neruda Poet of the People by Monica Brown and Julie Paschkis - ADVISABLE

Pablo Neruda Poet of the People by Monica Brown, illustrated by Julie Paschkis. PICTURE BOOK, BIOGRAPHY Henry Holt (MacMillan) bilingual edition 2022. originally published in 2011. $19. 9781250812520 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Pablo Neruda was born Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basalt in 1904 in Chile. Words swirled and whirled around in his head early on. He loved to play in the forest and swim in the river by his home. Neftali was not very athletic like his friends, but he loved to discover magic by reading books, it was from this that he decided to become a writer. When he was a teenager, he moved and changed his name to Pablo. Pablo’s poems were about varied topics, children playing in the ocean, the stones in Chile, opposites, and justice for others. His poems were about things he loved.

Paschkis’ illustrations for this biography are very colorful and authentic for the country Pablo Neruda lived. They lead the reader to imagine what was going through Pablo’s head as he walked through his country and observed so much. The illustrations detail Neruda’s very different and wildly colorful poems, depicting all of the things he loved. Brown’s Author’s Notes at the end are full of interesting facts about her subject. Pablo Neruda Poet of the People is bilingual, informative and colorful. Perfect for elementary library collections, K-5th grade.  The characters appear Caucasian. 

Deanna M. - Elementary Media Tech

We Laugh Alike (Juntos Nos Reimos) by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez -

We Laugh Alike (Juntos Nos Reimos) by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez.  PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine. 2021. $18. 9781623540968 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

3 English-speaking kids and 3 Spanish-speaking kids are in the park together. They don't understand each other's words, but they like each other's songs and dances and jump rope rhyme, and soon, the two groups are playing together! 

Written in parallel dialogue, it's not a translation, the text is each group telling their story. As they start to play together, the English and Spanish phrases are all mixed together - just like the kids. Includes a glossary, but the story stands on its own (in either language) even without looking up the translations. There's a great note at the end as well about language, communicating, and making friends. 

 Lisa Librarian

Our World is a Family by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson - ADVISABLE

Our World is a Family by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson, illustrated by Nomar Perez. PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks Explore, 2022.  $18.  9781728231839

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Whitehall and Jackson wrote a gentle and welcoming introduction to the global issue of migration and the many reasons why people move to different places. They give readers lots of concrete ways to be good neighbors to those around them, even if they are different from them.

I picked up this book because I liked the multicultural and inclusive cover and I had high hopes for the story. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of migration to littles and serves as an easy entry to a lot of current events and issues. 

Kiera, BookswithBeddes

If Your Babysitter is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira and Irena Freitas - ADVISABLE

If Your Babysitter is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Irena Freitas. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2022. $19. 9781534488755

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (4-6) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

What would you do if your new babysitter may be a bruja - a witch? Only have the best night of your life! With potions and flying brooms and bubbling cauldrons, our niña protagonist learns how to befriend her witchy babysitter and have a most memorable night at home.

This bright and happy picture book is a delightful addition to the Halloween story shelf. It has the added benefit of Spanish sprinkled liberally throughout the story, perfect for beginning dual language immersion learners.

Kiera, BookswithBeddes

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by Raul the Third - ADVISABLE

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by Raul the Third PICTURE BOOK Versify (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2021. $15. 9780358380405 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Little Lobo got a new truck! It's all packed up and ready to head over the bridge to a celebration in the next town - which is also in a different country. With so much traffic on the bridge, no one is going anywhere. That's when the fun begins, street vendors and food trucks are ready to make the waiting so much fun! 

I love these Raul the Third picture books. Full of culture, and very full of pictures - some identified with their name in Spanish. A child will love the story, but will also get lost in the illustrations. Includes a glossary and a note from Raul the Third telling about his childhood experiences living in a border town.

Lisa Librarian

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player - ADVISABLE

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2021. $18. 9780063014442 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

On a hot day in Los Angeles, the best thing for a kid to cool off is a visit to the Paletero Man, who has cold treats on his cart. The boy passes his friend the tamales man, the lady selling flowers, and the Korean BBQ place, waving to his friend in the bicycle shop because he's following the sound of a ringing bell to the Paletero Man. But when he finally finds him, he's lost all his money.

Great illustrations, text in both English and Spanish - not a translation, more bilingual, makes this a fun book for our dual language kids. Full of culture, friendship and summertime fun - I loved all the people on the street, what a great community this kid lives in. Author Lucky Diaz is a grammy winner, and a visit to http://www.hc.com/paleteroman has a cute book trailer and a song written especially for this book.

Lisa Librarian

The Field by Baptiste Paul, pictures by Jacqueline Alcantara - ADVISABLE

The Field by Baptiste Paul, pictures by Jacqueline Alcantara. PICTURE BOOK North South, 2018. $9. (paperback edition 2021) 9780735844612 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The children gather to play in a field, first they shoo away the cows and set up bamboo goals. But, when it starts to rain the game doesn't stop, it just gets wetter - slipping and sliding and splashing in the puddles until it stops. The game continues until Mama's call eventually ends the game, and the children return home dirty and tired. 

Alcantara's illustrations are great - so much action with the children running and having so much fun - even the spectators are animated. I loved the author's note at the end, and the message that you don't let set backs stop you. In English and Creole, includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

Lisa Librarian

El Campo by Baptiste Paul, illustrations by Jacqueline Alcantara - ADVISABLE

El Campo by Baptiste Paul, illustrations by Jacqueline Alcantara, Translated from English by Lawrence Schimel, PICTURE BOOK North South, 2021. $9. 9780735844605 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The children gather to play in a field, first they shoo away the cows and set up bamboo goals. But, when it starts to rain the game doesn't stop, it just gets wetter - slipping and sliding and splashing in the puddles until it stops. The game continues until Mama's call eventually ends the game, and the children return home dirty and tired. 

Alcantara's illustrations are great - so much action with the children running and having so much fun - even the spectators are animated. I loved the author's note at the end, and the message that you don't let set backs stop you. In Spanish and Creole, includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

Lisa Librarian

Bright Star by Yuyi Morales - ESSENTIAL

Bright Star by Yuyi Morales. PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter books (Holiday House), 2021. $19. 9780823443284 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

A fawn is born in the desert and its loving mother wants it to see the world around her, to look and listen, stay safe and know she is loved. She teaches the fawn to speak up when something is unjust, to know she is not alone and to imagine her most beautiful world. 

Yuyi Morales' illustrations are so beautiful - the expression in the eyes of this sweet young fawn are precious. The story is also about feeling safe and loved and is especially poignant for children whose safety is uncertain because of their or their parents' immigration status. Adults - be sure to read the author's note at the end, as she talks about why she made this book. Told in English with some Spanish phrases, there is not a translation or a glossary, but it didn't matter to me - the story is wonderful, and for our children who are bilingual, they will have a richer experience. I compared the Spanish Version with the English (with Spanish phrases) with Oscar, a native Spanish speaker, who pointed out that Morales used cognates when she could so the English reader could figure out the meaning, but in the Spanish edition, she used the correct word instead.

Lisa Librarian (with Oscar 8th Grade bilingual student)

Jingle Bells / Navidad by Susie Jaramillo - HIGH

Jingle Bells / Navidad by Susie Jaramillo BOARD BOOK BILINGUAL Encantos, 2021. $11. 9781945635410 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Two holiday songs are presented side by side with the mother hen and her chicks and their friends doing outdoor winter things, like riding in a sleigh and building a snowman, and inside things like having a fiesta, enjoying treats and opening presents. 

Navidad is not a translation of Jingle Bells, but Navidad can be sung to the tune of Jingle Bells and that is why they are paired. Canticos has made a fun holiday lift the flap book. The flaps are sturdy, with illustrations both underneath and on the back - so be sure to open them all the way. There's a QR code at the front of the book to download the app, and I love that it says "Being bilingual helps build better brains!"

Lisa Librarian

First 100 Words: English & Spanish by Susie Jaramillo - ADVISABLE

First 100 Words: English & Spanish by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos, 2020 $13 9781945635298 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Fun and colorful "First Words" board book in both English and Spanish. Sorted by topic, baby learns about nature words like "Frog/Rana"; school words like "Clock/Reloj"; and music words like "Singer/Cantante". 12 different topics cover so many things baby will experience. 

 Part of the "Cantico" series, Jaramillo's illustrations are so cute. The characters from the other board books are identified in the first group, and then baby can find them throughout the book. A delightful word book - love it. 

Lisa Librarian

Little Chickies / Los Pollitos: Bilingual Nursery Rhymes by Susie Jaramillo- OPTIONAL

Little Chickies / Los Pollitos: Bilingual Nursery Rhymes by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos Media, 2020. $11. 9781945635663

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE: AVERAGE

When little chickies squeal “Pio, pio, pio” or when they are cold and want a meal, Mama takes care to get the job done! She serves them food and warms their little bodies and puts them to bed. 

Little Chickies / Los Pollitos: Bilingual Nursery Rhymes gives little ones a chance to learn single words and sentences in a different language.  Whether learning English or Spanish, Little Chickies / Los Pollitos: Bilingual Nursery Rhymes’ lift-the-flap pages will excite readers and is an excellent book for bilingual families.

Reviewer: SL

Feelings: Bilingual Firsts by Susie Jaramillo- ADVISABLE

Feelings: Bilingual Firsts by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos Media, 2021. $13. 9781945635359

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE: AVERAGE

Happy, sad, surprised or tired- all of these emotions and many more are explored in this colorful and fun board book.  Jaramillo takes this Emmy-nominated series one step forward and introduces text in both English and Spanish in the form of sentences instead of single words.  The emotion is written on the left side of the page, then with a simple lift-the-flap Jaramillo asks, “Can you show me a sad face/ puedes poner una cara triste? The adorable chicken characters help readers understand and explore the emotions we often experience on a daily basis. 

Because it is written in both Spanish and English Feelings: Bilingual Firsts can be used not only in reading to children, but also helps in teaching bilingual words and sentences. We love the introduction of complete sentences instead of just one word per page.  Advancing the books to sentences will help children and parents practice speaking a new language.  The bold colors, the adorable characters and the simplicity of the book makes Feelings: Bilingual Firsts one of our favorites.

Reviewer: SL

Numbers 1 to 100: Bilingual Firsts by Susie Jaramillo- ADVISABLE

Numbers 1 to 100: Bilingual Firsts by Susie Jaramillo. BOARD BOOK. Encantos Media, 2021. $13. 9781945635328

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE: HIGH

Numbers 1 to 100 is a fun lift-the-flap book that explores numbers 1-10 and then numbers10-100.  The lift-the-flap aspect introduces number in both English and Spanish.  Readers will see and read “5 / Five spiders” but when a simple flap is lifted readers find “Cinco aranas”.  This pattern is repeated on every page of this informative and fun board book.  Little fingers will love pointing to and counting as well as lifting and learning!

Numbers 1 to 100: Bilingual Firsts is a great book for introducing and teaching counting in both English and Spanish. It is written in a way where it could be used to teach English or to teach Spanish. The colors are bright and vibrant.  The characters are adorable.  We enjoyed this fun board book. 

Reviewer: SL