Bedtime Books For Bilingual Babies

“Should we read this one,” my husband asks as he brings me an animal orchestra book. “No way,” I say, “that one gets the baby excited!” Experienced mamás know that for bedtime, you need a comforting read. Because we’re teaching our baby English and Spanish, we like to include both at bedtime. First up is the classic, “Buenas noches, luna.” This soothing story sets the tone for your goodnight.

To buy: Amazon, $13

“Los cuentos para soñar de mi Nana Luna” is a charming collection of cuentos sure to become a family favorite. It begins, “Mi Nana Luna nació de noche, por eso se llama así. Junto a su casa cantaban los grillitos, croaban las ranas y la luz de las estrellas se hacía pedazos en el arroyo que cruzaba su jardín.” What it lacks in pictures, it makes up for with the magic of descriptive storytelling.

To buy: Amazon, $10

If you fancy a change of pace from the typical storybooks, this one is all about identifying bedtime objects in English, Spanish, and French. This is a great choice for young babies who are just beginning to follow when you point and explain. Finally, we can say “pajamas” in three languages.

To buy: Amazon, $8

This adorably funny book about a zookeeper saying goodnight to his animal friends will make your baby smile. Shhh, the animals are in for a bedtime adventure. The book doubles as a bilingual lesson in animal names. A whimsical read is sure to inspire dulces sueños.

To buy: Amazon, $7

The English version became an instant classic and a it’s a must-have for babies who love to play with trucks. With gentle rhymes and sunset hues, “felices sueños, camiones grandes y pequeños” can help even the fussiest of little ones to calm their own engines and get some much needed rest. In my home, it’s a favorite shared by papá and bebé.

To buy: Amazon, $14

Amy Hest has written some of my favorite children’s books, some that I remember from my own childhood. “Un beso de buenas noches” pays tribute to bedtime rituals and addresses those times when your little one is reluctant to sleep. There’s nothing to be afraid of and mami bear is always nearby. Beautifully illustrated, this one is essential in your bilingual bedtime story collection.

To buy: Amazon, $13

What sets this book apart is its dream-like drawings and the fact that the story involves a mom and baby who are outside. They walk together and greet the night, the crickets, the stars, and everything else they encounter as they make their way home. This is the perfect book to rock your baby to sleep.

To buy: Target, $15

“Es hora de dormir” is a collection of animals saying goodnight to their babies. The illustrations of sleepy animals make for a relaxed read, and one that is perfect for whispering as you cuddle together. This is a longer book, with a total of 28 pages, but the passages are short, making it a great choice for parents who want just one story before bedtime.

To buy: Amazon, $6

Dora is undoubtedly the most prominent bilingual character in children’s television. In this book, go along with Dora as she bids goodnight to a cast of critters. This lift-the-flap book uses both English and Spanish with phrases like, “goodnight, bees” and, “buenas noches, abejas.”

To buy: Random House Kids, $5

The beloved giant red dog Clifford is a pint-sized puppy in this book, and it’s all about la hora de dormir. What does Clifford need before he goes to bed? Use this book as part of a bedtime routine in which your baby hugs a special toy, gets one last drink of milk, and a goodnight kiss. You’ll soon know it by heart.

To buy: Amazon, $4