The Top Ten Children’s Books That Should Be Made Bilingual

Jailene Adorno ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
HarperCollins recently announced that they will be releasing a bilingual, English-Spanish, version of Goodnight Moon in order to promote diversity within children’s books. According to the Child Trends Data Bank, approximately twenty-four percent of children living in the United States are Latin American or of Latin American descent. Spanish is also known to be the second most spoken language in the country. If more children’s books were made bilingual, Latin American children will be able to master the language of their ancestors and children of other backgrounds will be able to learn a new language. In honor of this exciting news, here are some other children’s books that should also be made bilingual.

10. Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney)

Anyone can challenge someone else on how much they know something. However, the story of these two hares going out of their way to show how much they love one another is really touching. I love you, Te quiero. It all means the same thing and children should have the opportunity of learning so.

9. The Story of Ferdinand (Munro Leaf)

The Story of Ferdinand, the bull, is light-hearted and relatable. Ferdinand’s calm nature would translate wonderfully in any language. His story deserves to be shared and made bilingual so that children will learn to enjoy the simpler things in life like nature.

8. Madeline (Ludwig Bemelmans)

The story of Madeline and the “twelve little girls in two straight lines,” should be shared and translated. The story takes place in Paris, France and by making it bilingual, the story may take on new meaning to children of many different backgrounds.

7. Curious George (Margaret Rey/H.A. Rey)

Monkey? Mono? Children all over the world must be able to share in the world of wonder with Curious George, the famous monkey, as well as the Man in the Yellow Hat. Their fun and whimsical adventures would translate perfectly in any language as George embarks on a journey, questioning everything around him.

6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr./Eric Carle)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a great book that introduces children to different animals and shows them different colors. What better way is there to learn another language than with animals and colors?

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)

This baby caterpillar’s hunger is something that everyone can recognize. This story teaches valuable lessons about trying new foods and not eating more than you’re capable of. Plus, children will learn how to say different kinds of foods in another language.

4. Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak)

Where would children be if they didn’t have Max to hold their hand while exploring a new world? Where the Wild Things Are is a great book that teaches children about being creative and using their imagination. This imagination can be brought to life through multiple languages.

3. Are You My Mother? (P.D. Eastman)

Mother? Madre? The story of one baby bird’s quest to find his mother has tugged on the heartstrings of many families. This journey should be shared with all cultures and backgrounds. If this story is made bilingual, children will learn how to say “mother” in more than one language.

2. Corduroy (Don Freeman)

Corduroy’s journey to find his missing button should be shared and cherished in as many languages as possible. If this classic children’s book were made bilingual, an awesome story will be opened up to children as they learn more about the value of patience, exploring, and questioning their surroundings.

1. The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein)

The selflessness of The Giving Tree should be shared with children of all ages in order to teach them valuable lessons about love. By making this book bilingual, that message of love will be spread to children and households of so many different backgrounds.