Research shows that reading helps prevent summer learning loss. This is especially true for language learners! Children need to read in both their dominant and second languages. By reading, kids can maintain and even improve their language skills during the summer months.
“When picking out a book to read, be sure the book is at your level. Read a page and lift up a finger for every word you don’t know on that page. If you lift all five fingers, then it means that the readability level is too high, and the book is too advanced for you.” Does that sound familiar? It’s the five-finger rule that reading and language arts teachers generally teach their students when picking books for independent reading.
To determine readability, books are measured against leveling systems such as Fountas and Pinnell, Reading Plus, Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), or the Lexile Framework. These popular systems measure things such as words per line and per page, sentence complexity, syllable complexity, number of dolch words vs. academic vocabulary, and so on.
Meeting this requirement for FLES (foreign language in elementary school) students is a little more complicated. Why? Because the classrooms exposure to language, including vocabulary and grammatical structures, is more controlled. It has to be in order for a child to learn and practice the new language accurately and in a structured way. Most first-year students will actively work in the present tense and vocabulary will be specific themes (such as animals) or tasks (such as school-related activities). (SantillanaUSA)
Below is a compiled list of books you and your student should try over the summer!
Board Books
Adams, Jennifer. Don Quixote: A Spanish Language Primer. Series: BabyLit. Gibbs Smith,
2015. ISBN: 9781423638759. 22 pages.
Bridwell, Norman. Clifford: el gran perro colorado. Spanish edition, translated from English.
Scholastic Trade, 1997. ISBN: 9780590381789.
Carle, Eric. La oruga muy hambrienta / The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Spanish/English
bilingual edition. Philomel Books, 2011. ISBN: 9780399256059. 24 pages.
Guy, Ginger Foglesong. Siesta. Spanish/English bilingual edition. Greenwillow Books, 2009.
ISBN: 9780061688843. 34 pages.
Jaramillo, Susie. Canticos: Los Pollitos / Canticos: Little Chickies. Encantos, 2016. ISBN:
9780996995900. 11 pages.
Jurado, Anabel. Cleo. Spanish edition. Series: La Granja. Urano, 2015. ISBN: 9786077835943.
12 pages.
Katz, Karen. ¿Dónde está el ombliguito?. Spanish edition, translated from English. Libros
Para Ninos, 2004. ISBN: 9780689869778. 14 pages.
Lionni, Leo. A Color of His Own / Su propio color. Spanish/English bilingual edition. Knopf
Books for Young Readers, 2016. ISBN: 9780553538731. 30 pages.
Masurel, Claire. Un gato y un perro / A Cat and a Dog. Spanish/English bilingual edition.
NorthSouth, 2010. ISBN: 9780735822771.
Patricelli, Leslie. The Birthday Box/ Mi caja de cumpleaños. Spanish/English bilingual edition.
Candlewick Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780763650414. 26 pages.
Rabe, Tish. ¡Te amo, te abrazo, leo contigo!/Love you, Hug You, Read to You!
Spanish/English bilingual edition. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2015. ISBN:
9781101936573. 32 pages.
Rodriguez, Patty. Cuauhtemoc: Shapes/Formas. Lil’ Libros, 2016. ISBN: 9780986109935. 22
pages.
Rodriguez, Patty. Lotería: First Words / Primeras Palabras. Lil’ Libros, 2014. ISBN:
9781495126550. 22 pages.
Schertle, Alice. El camioncito azul. Spanish edition, translated from English. Translated by
Isabel Campoy. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013. ISBN: 9780547983974. 30 pages.
Picture Books – English and Spanish Integrated Text
Ada, Alma Flor. I Love Saturdays y domingos. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002.
ISBN: 9780689318191. 32 pages.
Elya, Susan Middleton. Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos! Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN:
9781599904610. 40 pages.
Elya, Susan Middleton. Little Roja Riding Hood. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young
Readers, 2014. ISBN: 9780399247675. 32 pages.
Elya, Susan Middleton. Rubia and the Three Osos. Hyperion, 2010. ISBN: 9781423112525.
40 pages.
Hood, Susan. Spike, the Mixed-Up Monster. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2012.
ISBN: 9781442406018. 40 pages.
Morales, Yuyi. Niño Wrestles the World. Roaring Brook Press, 2013. ISBN: 9781596436046.
36 pages.
Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors. Chronicle Books,
2014. ISBN: 9781452102030. 40 pages.
Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes. Chronicle Books, 2013.
ISBN: 9781452106168. 40 pages.
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin. Harry N. Abrams, 2010. ISBN:
9780810938724. 32 pages.
Vamos, Samantha R. The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred. Charlesbridge, 2013. ISBN:
9781580892438. 32 pages.
Picture Books – English/Spanish Bilingual
Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy. Ten Little Puppies / Diez perritos. Rayo, 2011. ISBN:
9780061470431. 32 pages.
Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy. Muu, Moo!: Rimas de animales/ Animal Nursery
Rhymes. Rayo, 2010. ISBN: 9780061346132. 48 pages.
Blackstone, Stella. Bear at home / Oso en casa. Barefoot Books, 2010. ISBN:
9781846864223. 24 pages.
Brown, Monica. Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/ Marisol McDonald no combina.
Children’s Book Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780892392353. 32 pages.
Brown, Monica.Marisol McDonald and the Monster: Marisol McDonald y El Monstruo. Lee
& Low Books, 2016. ISBN: 9780892393268. 32 pages.
Brown, Monica. Maya’s Blanket / La manta de Maya. Lee & Low Books, 2015. ISBN:
9780892392926. 32 pages.
Brown, Monica. Tito Puente, Mambo King / Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo. Rayo, 2013. ISBN:
9780061227837. 32 pages.
Cumpiano, Ina. Quinito’s Neighborhood / El vecindario de Quinito. Children’s Book Press,
2013. ISBN: 9780892392292. 32 pages.
Dominguez, Angela. Maria Had a Little Llama / María tenía una llamita. Henry Holt and Co.,
2013. ISBN: 9780805093339. 32 pages.
Gonzalez, Maya Christina. Call Me Tree / Llámame árbol. Children’s Book Press, 2014. ISBN:
9780892392940. 24 pages.
Gonzales Bertrand, Diane. Cecilia and Miguel Are Best Friends / Cecilia y Miguel son
mejores amigos. Arte Publico Pr., 2014. ISBN: 9781558857940. 32 pages.
Kanellos, Nicolás. El Torneo De Trabalenguas / The Tongue Twister Tournament. Arte
Público Pr., 2016. ISBN: 9781558858329. 32 pages.
Luna, James. The Place Where You Live / El lugar donde vives. Arte Público Pr., 2015.
ISBN: 9781558858138. 32 pages.
Marshall, Linda Elovitz. Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del arcoíris. Lee & Low Books, 2016.
ISBN: 9780892393749. 32 pages.
Mercado-López, Larissa M. Esteban De Luna, Baby Rescuer! /Esteban De Luna,
Rescatador De Bebés!. Arte Público Press, 2017. ISBN: 9781558858473. 32 pages.
Mora, Pat. Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los
niños/El día de los libros. Rayo, 2009. ISBN: 9780061288777. 40 pages.
Mora, Pat. Gracias~Thanks. Lee & Low Books, 2005. ISBN: 9781600602580. 32 pages.
Reiser, Lynn. Margaret and Margarita / Margaret y Margarita. Greenwillow Books, 1996.
ISBN: 9780688147341. 32 pages.
Reiser, Lynn. My Way: A Margaret and Margarita Story / A mi manera: un cuento de
Margaret y Margarita. Greenwillow Books, 2007. ISBN: 9780060841010. 32 pages.
Torres, Jennifer. Finding the Music / En pos de la música. Lee & Low, 2015. ISBN:
9780892392919. 40 pages.
Picture Books in Spanish
Ayres, Katherine. Arriba, abajo y alrededor. Candlewick Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780763670566.
32 pages.
Cain, Janan. Así me siento yo. Parenting Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781884734830. 32 pages.
Carle, Eric. De la cabeza a los pies. Rayo, 2007. ISBN: 9780060513139. 32 pages.
Dobbins, Jan. ¡Vivamos la granja! Barefoot Books, 2013. ISBN: 9781846868603.
Fox, Mem. Quienquiera que seas. Libros Viajeros, 2002. ISBN: 9780152164607. 32 pages.
Freeman, Don. Corduroy. Puffin, 1980. ISBN: 9780140542523. 32 pages.
Galán, Ana. Qué cosas dice mi abuela. Scholastic en Espanol, 2013. ISBN: 9780545328630.
32 pages.
Kohara, Kazuno. El pequeño mago. Obelisco, 2015. ISBN: 9788416117154. 32 pages.
Krebs, Laurie. ¡Nos vamos a Mexico! Barefoot Books, 2006. ISBN: 9781846860140. 32 pages.
London, Jonathan. Froggy se viste. Viking Books for Young Readers, 1997. ISBN:
9780670874149. 32 pages.
Martin, Bill. Oso pardo, oso pardo, ¿qué ves ahí? Henry Holt and Co., 2002.
ISBN: 9780805069013. 28 pages.
Masurel, Claire. Diez perros en la tienda. North South, 2000. ISBN: 9780735813038. 32
pages.
Medina, Meg. Tía Isa quiere un carro. Candlewick Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780763661298. 32
pages.
Numeroff, Laura Joffe. Si le das una galletita a un ratón. Rayo, 2000. ISBN: 9780060254384.
40 pages.
Reynolds, Aaron. Las zanahorias maleficas. Spanish edition. Obelisco, 2015. ISBN:
9788416117130. 40 pages.
Shardlow, Giselle. Julieta y un día en el jardín: Un cuento de primavera de yoga para
niños. Spanish Edition. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. ISBN:
9781506184463. 34 pages.
Slobodkina, Esphyr. Se venden gorras. Spanish edition. Rayo, 2000. ISBN: 9780064434010.
48 pages.
Zion, Gene. Harry, el perrito sucio. Spanish edition. Rayo, 2003. ISBN: 9780064434430. 32
pages.
Spanish and Bilingual Books for Early Readers
Bridwell, Norman. Clifford va al doctor. Spanish edition. Series: Scholastic Reader Level 1.
Scholastic en Espanol, 2011. ISBN: 9780545341189. 32 pages.
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin. Bizcocho encuentra un amigo. Spanish Edition. Series: My First I Can
Read. Rayo, 2008. ISBN: 9780061435263. 32 pages.
Delacre, Lulu. Rafi y Rosi. Children’s Book Press, 2016. ISBN: 9780892393787. 63 pages.
http://spanishplayground.net
Floyd, Lucy. Rabbit and Turtle Go To School / Conejo y tortuga van a la escuela.
Spanish/English bilingual edition. Series: Green Light Readers Level 1. HMH Books for Young
Readers, 2010. ISBN: 9780547338989. 28 pages.
McPhail, David. Cerdo y Cerdito / Big Pig and Little Pig. Spanish/English bilingual edition.
Series: Green Light Readers Level 1. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN:
9780152065614. 32 pages.
Most, Bernard. ¡A que no me alcanzas! / Catch Me If You Can! Spanish/English bilingual
edition. Green Light Readers Level 2. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2007. ISBN:
9780152059675. 28 pages.
Tuchman, Gail. Pequeño zoológico. Spanish edition. Series: Lector de Scholastic Explora Tu
Mundo. ISBN: 9780545695121. Scholastic En Espanol, 2014. 32 pages.
Tuchman, Gail. Planetas. Spanish edition. Series: Lector de Scholastic Explora Tu Mundo.
Scholastic en Espanol, 2014. ISBN: 9780545769778. 32 pages.
Wilhelm, Hans. No me gusta mi moño. Spanish edition. Series: Scholastic Reader Level 1.
Scholastic en Espanol, 2002. ISBN: 9780439226455. 32 pages.
Longer Books and Poetry
Berlak, Ann. Joelito’s Big Decision / La gran decisión de Joelito. Spanish/English bilingual
edition. Hard Ball Press, 2015. ISBN: 9780986240096. 38 pages.
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for
Desegregation. Harry N. Abrams, 2014. ISBN: 9781419710544. 40 pages.
Alarcon, Francisco X. From the Bellybutton of the Moon: And Other Summer Poems / Del
ombligo de la luna: y otros poemas de verano. Series: The Magical Cycle of the Seasons.
Children’s Book Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780892392018. 32 pages.
Argueta, Jorge. Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup. Spanish/English bilingual edition. Series:
Bilingual Cooking Poems. Groundwood, 2009. ISBN: 9780888998811. 24 pages.
Johnston, Tony. My Mexico / México mío. Puffin Books, 1999. ISBN: 9780698117570. 40
pages.
Llanos, Mariana. Poesía Alada: poesía y arte para volar. Purple Corn Press, 2017.
978-0998616100. 54 pages.
Mora, Pat. The Desert is My Mother/El desierto es mi madre. Pinata Books, 2008. ISBN:
9781558851580. 32 pages.
Nye, Naomi Shihab. The Tree Is Older Than You Are: A Bilingual Gathering of Poems and
Stories from Mexico with Paintings from Mexican Artists. Aladdin, 1998. ISBN:
9780689820878. 112 pages.
Vardell, Sylvia and Janet Wong. The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations: Holiday
Poems for the Whole Year in English and Spanish. Pomelo Books, 2015. ISBN:
9781937057411. 372 pages.