In this post: A round-up of the best children’s Spanish books for beginners, including board books for toddlers and preschoolers. Post contains affiliate links.
Are you hoping to start reading Spanish to your child, but not sure where to begin?
Reading aloud is one of the most effective ways to increase a child’s exposure to a new language. The challenge, however, is finding Spanish children’s books that are age-appropriate, beginner-friendly, and genuinely engaging.
That’s why this post is a curated round-up of the best Spanish books for beginners, including board books for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary learners. Whether you’re raising a bilingual child or introducing Spanish at home, these books make language learning joyful and accessible.
New to Spanish? You may also love our related post on mixed-language Spanish and English books– stories that are mostly in English but sprinkle in Spanish words and phrases. This is an excellent bridge for Spanish beginners and families just getting started.
Table of Contents
Spanish First Words Books (Vocabulary Builders)
Usborne Spanish First Words BOOKS
Spanish first-word books are a staple of any bilingual bookshelf. They introduce foundational vocabulary across everyday themes like animals, food, clothing, and nature—perfect for beginners.
These Usborne favorites are clearly organized by level:
Preschool and Kindergarten: First Hundred Words in Spanish
Elementary grades: First Thousand Words in Spanish
The bright illustrations and clear labeling make them ideal for independent exploration or read-aloud time.
Related Post: Best Spanish Usborne Books
Lil’ Libros First concepts board books
Lil’ Libros books are fantastic for toddlers and preschoolers who are just beginning to engage with Spanish.
Most pages include a single word or short phrase, making them perfect for early concepts like:
- Colors
- Shapes
- Feelings
- Family
- Rodriguez, Patty (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 22 Pages – 03/26/2019 (Publication Date) – Lil’ Libros (Publisher)
Habbi Habbi Reading Wand Books
Habbi Habbi offers interactive listen-and-read bilingual books paired with a Reading Wand.
Children can tap anywhere on the page to hear:
- Individual words
- Phrases
- Full sentences
These books are thoughtfully designed and also incorporate themes like kindness, empathy, diversity, and self-care, making them a wonderful choice for bilingual families.
Spanish Nursery Rhyme Books
Canticos Board Books
The Canticos bilingual board books are based on beloved Spanish nursery rhymes and songs. If you already sing songs like Los pollitos, these books are a perfect companion.
Los pollitos is even featured in our Llamitas Spanish Level 1 curriculum (Farm Unit).
If you’re unfamiliar with the tunes, the Canticos World website is a wonderful resource—these songs are incredibly catchy and easy to learn.
- Jaramillo, Susie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 16 Pages – 11/17/2020 (Publication Date) – Encantos (Publisher)
Pío Peep Anthology
¡Pío Peep! is a beautifully illustrated collection of traditional Spanish and Latin American nursery rhymes.
- Hardcover Book
- Ada, Alma Flor (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages – 03/28/2006 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
This is one of the most culturally rich bilingual children’s books we’ve come across. It includes a sing-along CD and introduces families to Hispanic traditions and heritage in a meaningful way.
One standout feature: the English translations aren’t always literal. Instead, they’re adapted so they still rhyme and read like poetry, making the book a joy to read aloud in both languages.
Favorites in our home include:
- Cucú cucú cantaba la rana
- De colores
- Tortillitas para mamá
Related Post: Spanish Musical Books for Babies and Toddlers
Binibi Books
Binibi’s bilingual books are fantastic music and sound books for toddlers and preschoolers. From traditional Spanish nursery rhymes, to interactive sound books, they are super engaging for little hands.
Use coupon code MAMALLAMA to save 20% with Binibi.
Spanish Board Books for Beginners
Oso Pardo
This is the Spanish board-book version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Martin, Jr., Bill (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 12/22/2015 (Publication Date) – Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (Publisher)
It’s an excellent beginner book because it focuses on:
- Animals
- Colors
- Repetitive sentence structures
The repeated question format makes it easy for children to anticipate and participate, and Eric Carle’s iconic illustrations are always a hit.
Related Post: How to Read in Spanish: 5 Tips for Beginners
El pastel está tan arriba
This delightful story repeats the phrase “¡Pero el pastel está tan arriba!” while cycling through a sequence of animals stacking on top of each other to reach a cake.
- Straber, Susanne (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages – 05/01/2015 (Publication Date) – Editorial Juventud, S.A. (Publisher)
The repetition supports language acquisition, and the ending is unexpected and heart-warming.
Muy Dormido, Muy Despierto
Another favorite by Suzanne Strasser! The illustrations are playful, the storyline is hilarious, and the repeated phrases are perfect for beginners.
- Straßer, Susanne (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages – 02/01/2018 (Publication Date) – Editorial Juventud, S.A. (Publisher)
Kids naturally absorb phrases like:
- Están dormidos
- Está despierto
- Abre la puerta
- Cierra la puerta
And yes—there’s a silly ending involving a pedo that makes toddlers laugh every time.
Buenas Noches Luna
This Spanish version of the classic bedtime story is soothing, predictable, and ideal for 2–3 word phrase exposure.
It’s a lovely way to incorporate Spanish into your nighttime routine.
- Brown, Margaret Wise (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 08/04/1995 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins Espanol (Publisher)
Salí de paseo
A simple and charming story about a child going for a walk and spotting animals along the way.
- Williams, Sue (Author)
- Spanish (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 04/18/1995 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
The predictable structure makes it perfect for beginners:
Salí de paseo. ¿Qué fue lo que viste?
Esto es lo que vi…
This book is excellent for practicing:
- First-person language
- Animals
- Colors
It pairs beautifully with Oso Pardo.
Llamitas Spanish Curriculum
If you’re looking for an easy, structured way to teach Spanish at home. Llamitas Spanish offers sequential curriculum levels for Preschool and Elementary learners.
✔ Fully scripted lessons
✔ Native-speaker audio support
✔ Zero prep required
✔ Beautifully illustrated
Take our placement quiz to find the perfect level for your child—we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Keep reading! Related posts:
Musical Spanish Books for Babies and Toddlers
Mixed Language Spanish Books for Beginners
Founder of the Llamitas Spanish® Curriculum and former Spanish teacher. Corrie holds two Master Degrees in Spanish and Education. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and two bilingual children.