Dual-language picture books
This essential list of dual-language picture books for ages 3 to 7 is perfect for early learners and bilingual households with families who want to support their child’s language development.
Many children in the UK grow up speaking more than one language, including pupils learning English as an additional language (EAL), children who are already bilingual or multilingual, and those for whom English isn’t the main language spoken at home.
According to the 2021 census for England, there are over 1.6 million primary school children with English as an additional language, making it vital that a diverse range of engaging, inclusive books is available to support children’s learning and enjoyment of reading. The benefits of reading dual-language books include:
- Supporting language acquisition, by allowing children to make connections across both languages, compare words and sentence construction, and build new vocabulary
- Boosting confidence, self-esteem and enjoyment, through seeing home languages and identities positively reflected in stories
- Strengthening family bonds by enabling parents and caregivers to share stories together in their home language, even if they are less confident reading in English
For children with English as their first language only, reading bilingual picture books broadens their understanding of different languages and offers insight into a wide range of cultures, helping families raise curious, empathetic readers.