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The 6 Books You Need To Super-Charge YOUR
Bilingual Child’s Language Development (Including
The Ones We Use In OUR Families!)
Studies show that reading is the single most important thing you can do to help your child’s
education in all areas. In terms of bilingual language development the benefits are
multiplied! Along with talking, make reading your main focus in terms of your child’s
language development and you have a solid foundation to ROCKET your child forward in
their learning.
By building your child’s bilingual bookshelf in the right way, you can provide them with the
stepping stones to a successful journey in language learning. Here is our list of The 6
Books You Need To Super-Charge YOUR Child’s Bilingual Language
Development.
1. A Vocabulary Builder
Vocabulary builders are absolutely essential for language learning. In their simplest form, a
books of ‘my first words’ or a picture dictionary will provide a general base on which to
learn key vocabulary and prompt related conversations. And it’s the conversations around
the pictures and words that then develop a web of related vocabulary that just keeps
growing and growing – use the books well and your child will literally soak up what’s new!
The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
Toca Toca: Mis primeras palabras: A wonderful touch and feel book introducing first words
Alles hat einen Namen: a lovely, colourful introduction to first vocabulary
L’Abecedaire de Petit Ours Brun: 20 scenes and more than 150 words to learn – comes with
an alphabet poster for your little one’s bedroom
Diccionario de primaria: A more academic dictionary for primary-school children.
2. A Good Atlas
Assuming that as you are opening your child’s mind to language you are also keen on
promoting a worldwide perspective – an awareness of culture and the world – you can’t go
wrong with an atlas. Depending on the age of your child this could be a simple book about
the world, or a more scholarly version including detailed maps and more advanced
information. Atlases are GREAT for bilingual children as they feature small snippets of
information and key vocabulary – no need to make sense of long paragraphs – giving your
child excellent ‘stepping stones’ to being able to read longer prose!

The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
Notre planète, la Terre: A beautiful Images D’OC encyclopaedia that will enthral children of
all ages.
Mundo Mágico: with its amazing 3D pictures your child will be transported into different
landscapes and faraway lands – comes with 3D glasses!
Der große Ravensburger Weltatlas: A book to keep forever, jam packed with facts and
features; your child won’t cease to be amazed!
3. A Non-Fiction Book On Your Child’s Favourite Topic
This is THE opportunity to entice your bilingual child with the things that they love. As with
all children, your child will have one thing that they are absolutely obsessed with – choose
a book on that topic in the target language and WHAM! They are catapulted forward in
their language development simply because they cannot get enough of the book you have
chosen! Non-fiction, or information books are perfect again due to the small snippets of
information presented in short paragraphs, texts boxes and photo captions along with
pictures and photos to guide their understanding. Your child will be more able to read these
books independently than fiction, so it’s definitely something to encourage, but even better
– why not share it together in order to spur further conversations?
The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
Dinosaurier: What child doesn’t love dinosaurs? Guaranteed to thrill!
L’histoire de France: Teach your child about their roots with this beautifully presented book
delving back in time.
Egipto: Magnificent illustrations, pop-ups and other interactive elements – this book is
magical!
4. Fiction books for independent reading
So as I mentioned above, fiction books are more challenging as they feature longer
sentences, and fewer pictures, so when choosing a story book for independent reading be
guided by your child and keep it simple. Also, let’s be clear here – independent reading
does not necessarily mean they read it when you are not with them. Independent reading
means that the child attempts to read aloud and understand without you doing it for them.
Definitely a challenge for a young reader but what a sense of achievement they gain from
getting it right! Of course, they will probably need help along the way, but the key here is
positive encouragement to develop your child’s confidence in handling the language
independently.
The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
Les Farceurs: From the educational series Mes Premiers J’aime Lire – a good quality first
fiction book.
Ein Drache im Klassenzimmer: Another good quality read from the Leserabe series.
El Dragón Simón y el Lago de Chocolate: A fun read on an environmental theme.

5. Fiction Books To Read With You
So here you can really go for it! Your role as the story reader is to introduce your child to
the most stories as is humanly possible! Open their minds to the wonder of books, and you
will be opening their mind to the power of language! Choose a variety of themes and
storylines, and look for more challenging texts that propel your child into magical worlds
and thrilling plots. There’s nothing better that snuggling up with Mum or Dad for a good
story, so use this special moment to sky-rocket your child’s language learning. HOWEVER,
don’t waste this AMAZING opportunity to fill your days afterwards with storytelling, drawing
and role-playing based on what you have read together – all in the target language – to
consolidate learning and embed the language and vocabulary learned into new contexts.
The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
For younger children:
Frisson l’Ecureuil fête son anniversaire: A cute story teaching the value of friendship
¡Chichonazo! A humorous, well-illustrated story to share
Wenn da nicht die Bären wären: A beautifully illustrated story to share together
For older children:
Merlín Zinzín: El libro de encantamientos: Plenty of fun as Merlín Zinzín, the magician’s
apprentice, tries his hand at his own magic!
La Cabane Magique: La Vallée Des Dinosaures: A thrilling adventure in a faraway land –
perfect!
Die magischen Vier: Retten die Welt mit einer Taschenlampe, einem Zaubertrank und einem
großen Missverständnis: A magical adventure your children will love!
6. An Activity Book That Your Child Will Love!
Activity books are essentially another form of play – puzzles, art, music, jokes and more
will give your child new contexts in which to learn and use their language skills. They need
to understand instructions to complete the activity so these books are FANTASTIC
incentives to learning! Choose something that appeals to YOUR child and they’ll be learning
without realising! Great for taking out with you on trips or in the car too, making your
language journey more mobile. Don’t forget to sing or play along too!
The Bilingual Bookshop recommends:
Mein großes Kindergartenbuch / Das große Vorschulbuch : Jam packed with puzzles and
activities – take them everywhere!
100% Magicien: Full of astounding tricks your child will love, with a free magic wand – what
a learning opportunity!
¿Jugamos a ser maestra? A perfect role play opportunity – this play pack comes with loads
of props to bring your child’s school games to life!
A child can never have too many books! Don’t forget to boost your collection at
www.thebilingualbookshop.com – we’re sure you’ll find plenty that you love!
Remember it’s how you use the books that counts. Good luck on the journey
everyone!