Books About Languages · 270 titles considered

The Best Languages Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about languages? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Spike, the Mixed-up Monster
My First Book of Sign Language
My First Book of Baby Signs
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Languages

Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1996

Frindle

By Andrew Clements, Brian Selznick (Illustrator)

A young boy invents a new word and explores its impact on his community.

105 pages· 16,294 words· Est. 3 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 126,696 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Nick Allen, a fifth-grader with a knack for mischief, invents a new word: frindle. What starts as a classroom prank spirals into a nationwide phenomenon. Can Nick control the chaos, or has frindle taken on a life of its own? As the word spreads, Nick faces unexpected challenges and discovers the true power of language. Will he embrace his creation or try to stop it?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012

Spike, the Mixed-up Monster

By Susan Hood, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

A scary salamander learns fear isn't the key to friendship.

40 pages· 438 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 470 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Spike, a misunderstood axolotl in Mexico, tries to make friends by scaring others. But when his tactics fail, he must discover a new way to connect. Can Spike find friendship without fear? This charming tale, sprinkled with Spanish words, offers a heartwarming lesson and insights into the endangered axolotl.
Board Book · Ages 1–4 · 2017

How Do You Say I Love You?

Discover 'I love you' in ten languages, uniting hearts worldwide.

26 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 128 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Summary: Explore the universal language of love in this delightful board book. Journey from China to Brazil, learning to say 'I love you' in ten languages. With rhyming text and charming illustrations, it captures the deep bond between parents and children across diverse cultures. How does love sound around the world?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Gibberish

A young boy named Dat navigates a new environment where everyone speaks a language he doesn't understand.

40 pages· 231 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,529 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Dat's first day at a new school in a foreign land is daunting. Every word sounds like gibberish, and making friends seems impossible. But when a kind classmate shows him that communication goes beyond words, hope emerges. Can this unexpected friendship bridge the language gap and help Dat find his place in a new world?
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2012

The Day Saida Arrived

By Susana Gómez Redondo, Sonja Wimmer (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator)

Two girls bridge language barriers, forging a lasting friendship.

32 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 227 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Summary: When a new friend arrives unable to speak her language, a young girl embarks on a journey to make her feel at home. As they learn each other's languages, they discover a world of similarities and differences, forging an unbreakable bond. How will their friendship transform their understanding of language and culture? 'The Day Saida Arrived' explores the power of words to connect hearts across borders, offering a fresh perspective on immigration and friendship through vivid illustrations and lyrical storytelling.
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2016

Les Misérables

Discover Les Miserables through vibrant illustrations and simple French words.

22 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 219 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Summary: Introduce your little one to the timeless world of Les Miserables with vibrant illustrations and ten simple French words. This engaging book offers a playful way to explore classic literature, sparking curiosity and early language skills. What new words will your bébé learn today?
Picture Book · Ages 7–11 · 1997

Double Trouble in Walla Walla

A word warp turns a student's day topsy-turvy. Can chaos be untangled?

32 pages· 1,100 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 604 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Lulu's ordinary school day spirals into chaos when her homework transforms into a jumble of words. As a mysterious word warp wreaks havoc, the fate of coherent communication hangs in the balance. With the English-speaking world at risk, the school nurse proposes a daring solution. Can Lulu and her classmates restore order, or will they be lost in a sea of jibber-jabber forever? Dive into this topsy-turvy adventure to discover if they can untangle the mess before it's too late.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

My First Book of Sign Language

Unlock the world of sign language, one letter at a time.

30 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 142 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Summary: Dive into the basics of sign language with this guide that teaches you the signs for each letter of the alphabet. Discover how to fingerspell and communicate words starting with each letter. Perfect for beginners eager to explore a new way of connecting and understanding. What new conversations will you start?
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2021

My First Book of Baby Signs

Discover the joy of signing with your baby through engaging stories and interactive learning.

45 pages
4.6/5 Goodreads · 619 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Dive into a world where you and your baby learn to communicate before words. This storybook introduces essential signs like 'eat' and 'mommy,' progressing to 'help' and 'I love you.' Each page combines vibrant illustrations with clear instructions, making learning fun and interactive. With 40 real ASL signs, this book is your guide to early communication, fostering a deeper bond with your child. Explore the magic of sign language and watch your baby's world expand.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2001

More Parts

By Tedd Arnold · Book #2 in the Parts series

A kid hilariously battles literal interpretations of idioms to keep his body intact.

32 pages· 453 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,267 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: A young boy faces a bizarre challenge: keeping his body parts intact as idioms come to life. From 'give me a hand' to 'scream your lungs out,' he must navigate a world where words have unexpected consequences. Can he outsmart these literal interpretations and stay in one piece? This laugh-out-loud adventure turns language on its head, promising a wild ride through the quirks of speech. Will he manage to hold onto his head, or will the idioms get the best of him?
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Browse by age

Languages Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about languages for the youngest readers and listeners.

Found

Ages 0–4 · 2017

Discover the comfort of God's unwavering love through a child's eyes.

The Life of - La vida de Ritchie
Sale price
$999

The Life of - La vida de Ritchie

Ages 0–3 · 2017

Discover the musical journey of Ritchie Valens, whose songs still resonate today.

I Like It When . . . / Me gusta cuando . . .

Ages 0–3 · 1997

A penguin shares joyful moments with a loved one.

Animals

Ages 1–3 · 2004

Boost vocabulary with bilingual animal words and pictures.

Baby Signs

Ages 0–3 · 2008

Unlock your baby's world with simple signs for needs and feelings.

Don Quixote
Sale price
$1199

Don Quixote

Ages 2–4 · 2015

Introduce toddlers to Don Quixote with bilingual illustrations.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Ages 0–3 · 2002

Unlock communication with sign language before speech begins.

How Hippo Says Hello!
Sale price
$695

How Hippo Says Hello!

Ages 2–4 · 2014

Join a hippo's global journey, greeting the world in seven languages.

Counting with - Contando con Frida

Ages 1–4 · 2016

Discover Frida Kahlo's world while learning to count in two languages.

The Day of the Dead / El Día de los Muertos

Ages 2–5 · 2010

Children guide ancestors home for a vibrant Day of the Dead celebration.

My First Baby Signs
Sale price
$1695

My First Baby Signs

Ages 0–2 · 2017

Unlock communication with your baby using simple sign language.

ABC French

Ages 3–6 · 2018

Discover French words from A to Z with vibrant illustrations.

View all languages board books
Browse by age

Languages Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about languages for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Isabel and Her Colores Go to School

Ages 4–8 · 2021

New school, new language, new ways to connect.

Max's Words

Ages 4–8 · 2006

Max collects words, transforming them into stories, while his brothers hoard stamps and coins.

My Pet Feet

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A missing letter turns a town upside-down. Can it be found?

Don't Eat Me, Chupacabra! / ¡No Me Comas, Chupacabra!

Ages 0–4 · 2018

A goat must outsmart a Chupacabra with a taste for goats in Puerto Rico.

The Little Red Hen

Ages 4–9 · 2001

A hen bakes bread while her friends refuse to help. Will they share the reward?

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina

Ages 4–7 · 2011

A girl defies expectations, embracing her unique blend of cultures.

All the Colors We Are

Ages 3–+ · 1994

Discover the science and beauty behind our diverse skin colors.

Gazpacho for Nacho

Ages 5–8 · 2014

A boy's obsession with gazpacho leads to a surprising culinary discovery.

The Fabulous Lost & Found and the Little French Mouse
Sale price
$1099

The Fabulous Lost & Found and the Little French Mouse

Ages 2–7 · 2019

A mouse lost something, but only speaks French. Can you help solve the mystery?

The William Hoy Story

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A deaf baseball player changes the game with hand signals, overcoming prejudice and adversity.

The Keeper of Wild Words

Ages 5–8 · 2020

Words vanish; a granddaughter must save them by exploring nature.

Side by Side/Lado a Lado

Ages 4–8 · 2010

Farmworkers unite to fight for their rights, changing history forever.

Browse by age

Languages Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about languages for developing and independent readers.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299

Miss Quinces

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A surprise quinceañera threatens Sue's summer plans. Can she escape tradition?

Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia

Ages 6–11 · 1990

Explore a girl's journey through vibrant Mexican American traditions and dreams.

Who Was Jules Verne?

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Discover how a boy's thwarted adventure led to the birth of science fiction.

Pie in the Sky

Ages 8–11 · 2019

An immigrant boy secretly bakes cakes to cope with loss and language barriers.

La Mujer Que Brillaba Aun Mas Que El Sol/Woman Who Outshone the Sun

Ages 5–8 · 1920

A village loses its river after banishing a mysterious woman. Can they win back her favor?

Skeletitos
Sale price
$1299

Skeletitos

Ages 2–4 · 2019

Join the Skeletitos for a lively, time-twisting Day of the Dead adventure.

Mrs. Kormel Is Not Normal!

Ages 6–10 · 2006

A boy navigates the challenges of school and friendships while dealing with a series of misadventures on his school bus

Arabian Nights

Ages 7–9 · 2008

A storyteller spins tales to captivate a king and save her life.

The Lost Language

Ages 9–12 · 2021

Can two friends save a dying language and their own friendship before it's too late?

Calling the Doves

Ages 7–10 · 2001

A poet's journey from migrant fields to finding his voice.

Show Me a Sign

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A young girl becomes a live specimen in a scientist's cruel experiment on a deaf island.

The Arabian Nights

Ages 9–12 · 2010

Discover timeless tales of magic and mystery from A Thousand and One Nights.

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Books about creativityBooks about friendshipBooks about immigration and emigrationBooks about learning a new languageBooks about popularity

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