15 Children’s Spanish Books With Free PDF Download
Reading books is one of the greatest pleasures available to us. Reading in another language is even better, as it offers all the good things about reading—plus the added benefit of learning a new language!
Finding reading material in Spanish is easier than ever thanks to the many resources available online. However, sometimes it’s hard to find the right books when you look for them. Thankfully, we’re here for you.
In this post, we’ll explore the importance of reading to your children, the benefits of reading in Spanish, and 4 ways to help you make the most of your reading time. Last but not least, I’m including a list of 15 children’s Spanish books with free PDFs available to download!
The Importance of Reading to Your Children
Reading and the love of books is one of the best gifts you can give to your children. It opens their minds to new worlds and motivates them to use their imagination and develop their creativity.
Academics agree, as study after study shows the huge benefits of reading books to your kids. Stunning statistics show that children whose parents read them one book a day will hear nearly 300,000 more words than kids whose parents never read them books. Push that to 5 books a day and that number skyrockets to over one million words!
Benefits of Reading Children’s Spanish Books
Now, how about reading to your children in another language? Well, besides actually speaking the language, there’s nothing better you can do to help them advance in their language acquisition process.
Reading children’s Spanish books provides a fun alternative to other learning activities like vocabulary flashcards or grammar lessons. It also exposes your children to new words and idioms that will expand their vocabulary in a meaningful way.
15 Children’s Spanish Books With Free PDFs
I’ve compiled this handy list of free children’s Spanish books for all ages. Each is available as a PDF you can download. Enjoy!
1. ¿Escuchaste?
This book is a beautiful story about birds and the sounds they create when they talk among themselves. Beautifully illustrated by Rohan Chakravarty, ¿Escuchaste? (“Did you hear?”) is a perfect choice for kids aged 3 to 5 who are just starting to learn Spanish.
2. El Traje Nuevo del Emperador
This classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen tells the story of an arrogant emperor. Two weavers trick him into walking around the city with no clothes. The Emperor’s New Clothes has many important messages for children aged 6 to 12, and this is a good text-only version in Spanish.
3. Petit El Monstruo
Petit The Monster is a smart book that tells an interesting story that teaches kids a great lesson. The 28-page book is beautifully illustrated, and the language easy to understand since it’s written for kids aged 3 to 5.
4. Un Castillo de Libros
One of the best children’s Spanish books from the last few years is Un Castillo de Libros (“A Castle of Books”) by Colombian author Susana Aristizábal. It’s a celebration of books and everything we can discover in them. Colorfully illustrated and easy to understand, this is a great option for kids aged 3 to 7.
5. El Soldadito de Plomo
Another classic story by the great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, The Tin Soldier needs no introduction as it’s one of the greatest children’s books of all time. This text-only version is an excellent option for kids aged 6 to 12.
6. Tairon en Apuros
Tairon in Trouble by Hans Wilhelm is part of a collection of books that teaches nice lessons to kids via funny dinosaurs and colorful illustrations. Best suited for children aged from 3 to 5.
7. Por Qué el Elefante Tiene la Trompa Así
Daniel Gómez beautifully illustrates the Spanish version of this classic story by Rudyard Kipling. How The Elephant Got His Trunk is a longer story best suited for kids aged 6 to 12, and this version comes with a bonus story about “How the Leopard Got His Spots.”
8. ¡Tortuguita, Vení Bailá!
Little Turtle, Come and Dance! is one of the most precious children’s Spanish books you’ll find out there. This is an anthology of traditional Colombian songs and stories in Spanish for little kids, enriched with versions in the other languages spoken in this Latin American country is a true gem!
9. El Patito Feo
The Ugly Duckling is yet another classic children’s story by Hans Christian Andersen. This 27-page edition includes some images, but it’s mostly text.
10. ¿Alguna Vez Has Oído Cantar a una Ballena?
This book about the songs of the whales includes outstanding illustrations and includes a more diverse vocabulary. It’s well-suited for kids aged 5 to 8.
11. El Frenético Baile de Chip
Maguaré, a site by the Colombian government, is one of the best sources of children’s Spanish books, and Chip’s story is another great offering. This book has been amazingly illustrated by Amalia Satizábal, and it’s a great choice for kids aged 3 to 6.
12. ¡Gol de Federico!
This book is also by German-American writer Hans Wilhelm. This time, the characters aren’t dinosaurs; instead, a bunny called Federico teaches kids a lesson. Best suited for kids aged 3 to 5.
13. El Retorno a la Alegría
This is one of the best children’s Spanish books you can get your hands on. Edited by Unicef, it includes short stories, fables, tongue twisters, and more. The only downside is that it doesn’t include illustrations.
14. Mi Mejor Amiga
A beautifully illustrated book for little kids who are just starting to learn Spanish. My Best Friend explores friendship at an early age, with a nice twist at the end. Easy-to-understand vocabulary for kids aged 3 to 5.
15. Aladino y la Lámpara Maravillosa
This is the classic Arab story of Aladdin as a text-only, Spanish version. Best suited for children ages 6 to 12.
How to Read Children’s Spanish Books
To make the most out of this excellent collection of children’s Spanish books, consider using the following strategies with your children:
- Highlight phrases or words to catch the attention of your children and confirm that they understand.
- Ask questions at the end of each page and at the end of the book to check your child’s Spanish comprehension.
- Look for cultural expressions that provide the added value of cultural learning, in addition learning the Spanish language.
- If possible, look for the English version of the same book and read it to your children afterwards. This will help them to better understand and make connections to the Spanish version.
Start Reading Children’s Spanish Books Today!
Now that you know where to find them, dive in and start reading children’s Spanish books. They’re a great tool to help your kids learn Spanish and a fun break from the more difficult parts of their language learning process.
Start reading today by downloading our free eBook for beginners, Weird & Wacky Spanish Stories for Beginners! It’s a great option for A2 level students and above, and it’s also recommended for A1 learners who want to improve their fluency through reading.
Get Your Free Copy of Weird & Wacky Spanish Stories for Beginners
Type in your name and email to get 6 weird, wacky, and super entertaining Spanish stories for you and your family! Enjoy a magazine-style eBook with pictures and English-Spanish parallel text. Start reading in Spanish today!
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