Books About Languages · 271 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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Languages

Frindle
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·3.9/5 Goodreads · 127,063 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
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?
Spike, the Mixed-up Monster
Sale price
$1899
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·3.8/5 Goodreads · 472 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
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.
How Do You Say I Love You?
Sale price
$858
Board Book · Ages 1–4 · 2017

How Do You Say I Love You?

By Hannah Eliot, Shirley Ng-Benitez (Illustrator) · How Do You Say I Love You series

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

26 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 129 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Board book
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?
Gibberish
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Gibberish

By Young Vo

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·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,539 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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?
The Day Saida Arrived
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2012

The Day Saida Arrived

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

Two girls bridge language barriers, forging a lasting friendship.

32 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 228 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Hardcover
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.
Les Misérables
Sale price
$1139
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2016

Les Misérables

By Jennifer Adams, Alison Oliver · BabyLit Classic Lit series

Discover Les Miserables through vibrant illustrations and simple French words.

22 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 218 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Board book
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?
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Sale price
$1899
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 Goodreads · 605 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
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.
My First Book of Sign Language
Sale price
$474
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

My First Book of Sign Language

By Joan Holub

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

30 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 142 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Paperback
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?
My First Book of Baby Signs
Sale price
$759
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2021

My First Book of Baby Signs

By Lane Rebelo

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

45 pages
4.6 Goodreads · 629 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.
More Parts
Sale price
$1597
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 Goodreads · 2,269 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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?
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Browse by age

Languages Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

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

Found
Series
Sale price
$1299

Found

Ages 0–4 · 2017

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

Animals
Series
Sale price
$799

Animals

Ages 1–3 · 2004

Boost vocabulary with bilingual animal words and pictures.

Baby Signs
Sale price
$799

Baby Signs

Ages 0–3 · 2008

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

Don Quixote
Series
Sale price
$1199

Don Quixote

Ages 2–4 · 2015

Introduce toddlers to Don Quixote with bilingual illustrations.

Animal Talk
Series
Sale price
$995

Animal Talk

Ages 0–3 · 2016

Discover a world where language and art unite through vibrant animal carvings.

My First Baby Signs
Sale price
$1695

My First Baby Signs

Ages 0–2 · 2017

Unlock communication with your baby using simple sign language.

View all languages board books
Browse by age

Languages Picture Books

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

Max's Words
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1999

Max's Words

Ages 4–8 · 2006

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

My Pet Feet
Sale price
$1899

My Pet Feet

Ages 4–8 · 2022

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

The Little Red Hen
Series
Sale price
$399

The Little Red Hen

Ages 4–9 · 2001

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

All the Colors We Are
Sale price
$1795

All the Colors We Are

Ages 3–+ · 1994

Discover the science and beauty behind our diverse skin colors.

Gazpacho for Nacho
Sale price
$1699

Gazpacho for Nacho

Ages 5–8 · 2014

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

The William Hoy Story
Sale price
$1699

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
Sale price
$1899

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
Sale price
$1799

Side by Side/Lado a Lado

Ages 4–8 · 2010

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

View all languages picture books
Browse by age

Languages Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about languages for developing and independent readers.

Miss Quinces
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299

Miss Quinces

Ages 8–12 · 2022

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

Who Was Jules Verne?
Series
Sale price
$699

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
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Pie in the Sky

Ages 8–11 · 2019

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

Skeletitos
Sale price
$1299

Skeletitos

Ages 2–4 · 2019

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

Arabian Nights
Series
Sale price
$799

Arabian Nights

Ages 7–9 · 2008

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

The Lost Language
Sale price
$1699

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
Sale price
$1195

Calling the Doves

Ages 7–10 · 2001

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

Show Me a Sign
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1899

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
Sale price
$2499

The Arabian Nights

Ages 9–12 · 2010

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

View all languages chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about creativityBooks about friendshipBooks about immigration and emigrationBooks about learning a new languageBooks about popularity