October 12, 2021 by Michelle Margaret Fajkus Uncategorized 0 comments

14 Bilingual Books for Kids About Fall and Winter Holidays (Spanish-English)

Reading bilingual books for kids about the holidays is a wonderful way to practice Spanish, explore diverse ways of celebration, and learn about Latin American culture at the same time.

Bilingual books for kids help improve your child’s fluency through repetition of new vocabulary and grammar structures.

For kids who are new to Spanish, I recommend reading through the whole story first in English. Then, follow it up a second time in Spanish. This way, they’ll be aware of the main idea of the story and be more likely to understand its meaning in Spanish.

Read this article to discover 14 wonderful bilingual picture books for kids about Halloween, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas!

14 Bilingual Books for Kids About Autumn and Winter Holidays

It’s hard to believe that the 2021 holiday season is just around the corner! Check out these 14 bilingual books for kids that make for perfect autumn and winter family reading.

1. It’s Skeleton Time! (¡Es la hora de los esqueletos!)

Author: Ana Galán
Year published: 2017
Amazon link

This book teaches readers how to tell the time in Spanish and English. It’s an adaptation of lyrics from a traditional Costa Rican song. Skeletons jump out of their tombs for some fun as the clock strikes each hour.

With illustrations and content about Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and Central America, this rhyming bilingual book for kids brings a bicultural perspective to the Halloween season.

2. Pumpkin, Pumpkin (Calabaza, calabaza)

Author: Jeanne Titherington
Year published: 1993
Amazon link

Jamie learns about the life cycle of a pumpkin in this beautifully illustrated bilingual children’s book.

3. Rosita and Conchita (Rosita y Conchita)

Authors: Erich Haeger and Eric Gonzalez
Year published: 2010
Amazon link

This is the heartwarming story of Rosita and Conchita, twin sisters who connect on Día de los Muertos. One is alive, and one is not.

If you want to discuss grief or death with little ones, this is the ideal book. It focuses on the emotional connection between the hermanas (sisters) rather than the sadness of death.

This book highlights key aspects of the Day of the Dead altar. This helps kids understand the idea of ofrendas (offerings) to the spirits and beloved ones who have passed to the other side.

4. The Day of the Dead (El Día De Los Muertos)

Author: Bob Barner
Year published: 2011
Amazon link

Two children celebrate their ancestors by making traditional offerings of marigolds, sugar skulls, pan de muertos, and other yummy foods. This Día de los Muertos primer features vivid illustrations.

5. Where Is My Turkey? (¿Dónde está mi pavo?)

Author
Year published
Amazon link

A sweet child dressed as a pilgrim and his pet turkey celebrate their first Thanksgiving. Prompt your child to find the turkeys hidden on each page. This book is ideal for beginning Spanish and English readers.

6. Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner? No, Thanks! (¿Pavo para la cena de Día de Gracias? ¡No, gracias!)

Author: Alma Flor Ada
Year published: 1999
Amazon link

Alma Flor Ada’s charming story is about a spider that helps a turkey find a unique way to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

7. Rubber Shoes: A Lesson in Gratitude (Los zapatos de goma: Una lección de gratitud)

Author
Year published
Amazon link

This is a great book for every child in your life. Trust me. It will teach them to be grateful and count their blessings. Gladys Elizabeth is very disappointed with the new shoes her mother picks out for her. After trying unsuccessfully to rid herself of the shoes, she is taught a lesson in gratitude that changes her feelings about them.

8. 20 Letters About Chanukah: 20 letras sobre Janucá

Author: Malca Bassan
Year published: 2017
Amazon link

Each letter of the alphabet tells one part of the story of the Hanukkah celebration with beautiful, artistic illustrations.

9. On Hanukkah (Janucá)

Author: Rebecca Wallis
Year published
Amazon link

This brief bilingual book for kids explains the meaning of Hanukkah. It outlines the popular traditions and activities associated with this Jewish winter holiday.

10. The Gift of the Poinsettia / El Regalo de la flor de Nochebuena

Authors: Pat Mora and Charles Ramirez Berg
Year published: 1995
Amazon link

A book you can enjoy fully in either English or Spanish! This book will help kids learn about the value of giving gifts to those we love. It’s ideal for preschool to 1st grade.

11. The Christmas Tree (El árbol de Navidad)

Author: Alma Flor Ada
Year published: 1995
Amazon link

This fabulous volume by Alma Flor Ada is a poem in English and Spanish about the popular Christmas tree tradition.

12. Jojo’s Christmas day (La Navidad de Lolo)

Author
Year published
Amazon link

This bilingual book for kids starts when Jojo refuses to share his cherries on Christmas eve.

His friends don’t want to celebrate Christmas with Jojo. This funny story captures the spirit of Christmas and the joy of friendship and sharing.

Use it to not only talk to your child about the importance of sharing and apologizing but also to support them in learning Spanish. This upbeat Christmas story with lovely illustrations will touch you and your child’s heart.

13. Celebrate Las Posadas – Celebramos Las Posadas: A Bilingual Book in English and Spanish

Author: Marisa Boan
Year published: 2021
Amazon link

In Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of the U.S., the nine days between December 16 and 24 are called Las Posadas. During this time, families act out Mary and Joseph’s travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the birth of baby Jesus.

People decorate their homes with nativity scenes and twinkling lights. They participate in parades, sing songs, break piñatas, and share delicious foods!

This bilingual book puts the spotlight on the customs and traditions of Las Posadas using easy-to-read text in both English and Spanish. Enjoy its 10 bonus pages for children with relevant songs and coloring pages!

14. Three Kings Day – Día de Reyes Mago: A Bilingual Book in English and Spanish

Author: Marisa Boan
Year published: 2021
Amazon link

People in Spain, Mexico, and many Latin American countries celebrate Día de Reyes Mago (Three Kings Day) on January 6th. This holiday honors the arrival of the tres reyes magos (three wise men) in Bethlehem shortly after the birth of baby Jesus on Christmas Day.

This short bilingual book introduces the customs and traditions of the day. Read it with your child to teach them how the wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh for baby Jesus. Discover unique Christian customs in Latin America such as leaving hay out for camels.

The book features 10 extra pages of songs, puzzles, and coloring sheets!

Bring Up Bilingual Children

I hope you enjoy reading these special holiday-related books with your kids. Young children have an incredible ability to pronounce foreign and unfamiliar sounds. They’re also capable of understanding complex grammar rules. The earlier they begin, the easier it will be for them to learn—although any age is a fine time to start!

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Michelle Margaret Fajkus

Editor & Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

Michelle Margaret Fajkus is a bilingual writer and longtime yoga teacher. A former advertising copywriter turned bilingual elementary school teacher, she is now a freelance writer, editor and translator. A native Texan, Michelle has Mexican roots and learned Spanish in middle and high school. She has become more fluent thanks to living as an expat in Guatemala. She lives with her family on beautiful Lake Atitlan.