Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Children's Room: Bilingual Books

The World Language Books have undergone a refresh in the children’s room with a new location and better visibility.  The collection includes board books, picture books, and chapter books in languages from around the world. 

Did you know that many of these books are bilingual books? Reading bilingual books to a child not only helps them learn words in another language but exposes them to other cultures. In the Reach Out and Read blog, "The Benefits of Bilingual Books", the author lists some good reasons to read bilingual books to children: 

1. Bilingual books encourage parents to read in their home language.
2. Bilingual books build vocabulary in both languages.
3. Bilingual books help children feel included.
4. Bilingual books highlight other cultures.
5. Bilingual books can be fun! 

Read the blog for more details on these benefits.  Highlighted below are some of the bilingual books in different languages in the library’s collection.  And don't forget to check out the library's e-resources: Hoopla and Libby, for access to additional titles in many languages.

Señorita Mariposa (English-Spanish) by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G)

A captivating and child-friendly look at the extraordinary journey that monarch butterflies take each year from Canada to Mexico; with a text in both English and Spanish. Rhyming text and lively illustrations showcase the epic trip taken by the monarch butterflies. 

The House That Jack Built (English-French) by Antonio Frasconi

Generations of children have delighted in the nursery rhyme about Jack and his house. Starting with the familiar refrain "This is the house that Jack built. This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built," the age-old chant expands to include the maiden all forlorn, the cow with the crumpled horn, and other distinctive characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Bilingual Book-Touch (English-Polish) by Milet Publishing Staff

Ideal for helping preschool-age children discover a foreign language, this playful and educational series of bilingual books combines rhyming text with colorful illustrations. Each page spread includes the text in both English and the second language in clear, bold print.  Also available is My Bilingual Book-Smell (English-Polish).

 

 

 

 

A Journey in Our Family's Chinese Garden (English-Chinese) by L. Jian

This bilingual children's book tells a simple, but sweet story about a man, his dream, and his very happy family. Written in both English and Chinese, kids can follow along as a family brings all the world's great mountains and rivers to their own backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

My First Book of Hindi Words by Katy R. Kudela; Translations.com Staff (Translator)

How do you say "hello" in Hindi? Explore the pages of this Hindi/English picture dictionary to learn new words and phrases. Colorful photographs and simple labels make learning Hindi easy.

 

Where Are You Going? To See My Friend! (English-Japanese) by Eric Carle; Kazuo Iwamura
 Carle's English version begins at the front of the book and Iwamura's version, as is the custom in his native Japan, begins at the back. The two tales meet in the middle with a gatefold spread that unites the two human friends.

 

 

 

Welcome to Arabic with Sesame Street ® by J. P. Press

Beloved Sesame Street characters show readers basic words and phrases in Arabic so they can connect with new friends who speak the language. This fun, colorful approach features welcoming words relating to everyday life and friendship.

 

 

 

 

 

Attend a virtual bilingual concert this holiday vacation.  Join FIESTA with Flor from the comfort of your own home on Thursday, December 30 at 11:00 am. 

FIESTA with Flor Bromley is not your typical children’s concert. It's a bilingual Latin music fusion party!  Come experience this interactive celebration of cultures at our family fiesta!  Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

FIESTA con Flor Bromley no es el típico concierto infantil. Es una fiesta de fusión de música latina bilingüe Ven a experimentar esta celebración interactiva de culturas en nuestra fiesta familiar! Es necesario inscribirse para recibir el enlace de Zoom. Para más información, favor de llamar a 721-8207.