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The United States is filled with many cultures and languages, all residing together beneath one flag. One of the most common languages spoken after English is Spanish, and many families speak both languages in one home. Books that are bilingual English/Spanish have emerged in recent years to support children learning both Spanish and English, no matter what the primary language spoken in their household happens to be. This book list includes a selection of noteworthy bilingual titles that are geared toward readers ages 4-7. From folklore to friendship, the books listed here showcase Spanish and English together in a delightfully accessible way.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	Abuela By: Arthur Dorros Illustrated by: Eliza Kleven Somersaulting in midair, resting in the sky on a chair-shaped cloud… A little girl and her grandmother, her abuela, soar in this adventure of the imagination as they fly around New York City. In English, with Spanish words and phrases woven into the story, includes a glossary.
	Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day By: Pat Mora Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez Children read aloud in various settings to celebrate El día de los niños, or Children’s Day, in this bilingual story. Includes facts about Mexico’s annual celebration of children and the book fiestas that are often included.
	Dalia’s Wondrous Hair By: Laura Lacámara In this whimsical bilingual picture book, Dalia’s hair becomes a magical force of nature, a life-giving cocoon. Author and illustrator Laura Lacámara once again delight children ages 4-9 with her vibrant illustrations and an imaginative story about a girl’s fanciful encounters with nature.
	Doña Flor By: Pat Mora Illustrated by: Raúl Colón Doña Flor, a giant lady with a big heart, sets off to protect her neighbors from what they think is a dangerous animal but soon discovers the tiny secret behind the huge noise.
	Green is a Chile Pepper By: Roseanne Thong Illustrated by: John Parra Children discover a world of colors all around them. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, but all are universal in appeal. A short glossary explains the cultural significance of the colored objects featured in this book.
	Mango, Abuela, and Me By: Meg Medina Illustrated by: Angela Dominguez Mia’s abuela has left her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and her parents in the city. The night she arrives, Mia tries to share her favorite book with Abuela before they go to sleep and discovers that Abuela can’t read the words inside. So, while they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English (“Dough. Masa”), and Mia learns some Spanish too, but it’s still hard for Abuela to learn the words she needs to tell Mia all her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfecto idea for how to help them all communicate a little better. An endearing tale from an award-winning duo that speaks loud and clear about learning new things and the love that bonds family members.
	Maria Had a Little Llama By: Angela Dominguez In this bilingual version of the classic rhyme set in Peru, Maria takes her llama to school one day.
	Not a Bean By: Claudia Guadalupe Martínez Illustrated by: Laura Gonzalez With Spanish vocabulary and a clever counting concept, this poetic story shares the life cycle of a Mexican jumping bean. This curious jumping insect is actually a seedpod from a shrub called yerba de la flecha, into which a caterpillar burrows, living inside the pod until it builds a cocoon and breaks out as a moth. Perfect for preschoolers and pre-readers, this creative picture book explores the Mexican jumping bean’s daily life and eventual transformation and escape from the pod.
	Our Celebración! By: Susan Middleton Elya Illustrated by: Ana Aranda It’s a sunny summer day. Come join the crowd headed for the parade! Marvel at the people riding motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, and unicycles. Duck out of the way as firefighters spray water on hot spectators. Clap to the music as bands of musicians playing clarinetes, saxophones, flautas, trumpets, and drums march by. Feast on lemonade, watermelon, tacos, and ice cream. Wave to the corn princess as her float passes by. Then, take cover when a quick rain shower comes, followed by a bright rainbow. Back in the town plaza as night falls, marvel at the sparkling fireworks that end the day’s festivities. Pop, pop, pop! ¡Bón, bón, bón! With engaging text and imaginative, whimsical illustrations, Our Celebración! is the perfect way to enjoy a summer day—and learn some Spanish too.
	La Princesa and the Pea By: Susan Middleton Elya Illustrated by: Juana Martinez-Neal A rhyming, Latino twist on a classic fairy tale in which a queen places a pea under a young lady’s mattress to see if she is truly a princess. Incorporates Spanish words, includes a glossary, and features artwork inspired by the culture of Peru.
	Rainbow Weaver By: Linda Elovitz Marshall Illustrated by: Elisa Chavarri Ixchel wants to follow in the long tradition of weaving on backstrap looms, just as her mother, grandmother, and most Mayan women have done for more than two thousand years. But Ixchel’s mother is too busy preparing her weavings for the market. Disappointed, Ixchel first tries weaving with blades of grass, and then with bits of wool, but no one would want to buy the results. As she walks around her village, Ixchel finds it littered with colorful plastic bags. There is nowhere to put all the bags, so they just keep accumulating. Suddenly, Ixchel has an idea! She collects and washes the plastic bags. Then she cuts each bag into thin strips. Sitting at her loom, Ixchel weaves the plastic strips into a colorful fabric that looks like a beautiful rainbow—just like the weavings of Mayan women before her.
	Waiting for the Biblioburro By: Monica Brown Illustrated by: John Parra When a man brings to a remote village two burros, Alfa and Beto, loaded with books the children can borrow, Ana’s excitement leads her to write a book of her own as she waits for the BiblioBurro to return. Includes a glossary of Spanish terms and a note on the true story of Columbia’s BiblioBurro and mobile libraries in other countries.

It doesn’t get more American than the Fourth of July; that is, until you see the other July observances. National Baked Bean Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Blueberry Month, National Grilling Month, and National Picnic Month. Okay, so Americans really love to eat in July. That’s just the month observances. Take a look at the day observances: National Fried Clam Day, National Barbecued Spareribs Day, National Caesar Salad Day (finally a day that’s healthy!), National Apple Turnover Day, National Fried Chicken Day, National Strawberry Sundae Day, National Macaroni Day, and I’m only at July 7th.

While some of these days seem like a GREAT excuse to eat, there is much more to celebrate in July. The most important is Independence Day. The original Independence Day celebrations weren’t exactly like our modern-day celebrations. Instead of fireworks, cannons were fired. It wasn’t until after 1816 when Americans began producing their own pyrotechnics that it became a July 4th celebration staple. Learn fun facts about Independence Day in books like The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence, and The Story of America’s Birthday, both of which are listed in our 25 Everything 4th of July Books reading list. Want fun activities for the kids during your 4th of July family barbeque? Check out What is the 4th of July?, Paper Crafts for the 4th of July, or Independence Day Origami, also listed in our 25 Everything 4th of July Books reading list.

Still, July is more than celebrating our love of food and freedom. We are celebrating a summer break for students and teachers, a summer vacation with family and friends, and a chance to celebrate others. There is National Postal Worker Day (July 1), National Father-Daughter Take a Walk Day (July 7), National Cousins Day (July 24), and National Aunt and Uncle Day (July 26). Then there are National Cheer Up the Lonely Day (July 11) and National Give Something Away Day (July 15) which provide us a chance to help someone else.

In honor of all of these July observances we will be posting a large number of thematic reading lists to our Read & Shine Facebook page and MoBooCo Twitter page to help you and your child celebrate. If you aren’t following us on social media yet, this is definitely the month you want to start.

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When we think about the 4th of July we not only think of America’s independence, but we also think of parades, fireworks, and picnics with family and friends. This reading list covers the meaning of Independence Day, the many types of things we do to celebrate the holiday, and a few chapter books with July 4th settings for our chapter book readers.

	What is the 4th of July? By: Elaine Landau Includes the food, outdoor fun, crafts and games for celebrating America’s birthday.
	The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence By: Judith St. George Presents the story of how the original document that changed the fate of the nation still exists proudly today, despite being rolled up, transported on horseback, tucked away, improperly repaired, and kept under lock and key.
	Paper Crafts for the 4th of July By: Randel McGee Eight crafts using common craft supplies like tissue paper, cardstock, glue, and string, reflect the red, white, and blue, summertime celebration. A two-page introduction explains the history of this national holiday, and each craft is introduced by a short explanatory paragraph. Crafts include patriotic placemats and an American flag pennant.
	Parade Colors By: Barbara Barbieri McGrath In this board book with simple text the reader is invited to enjoy a colorful Fourth of July parade.
	The Night Before the Fourth of July By: Natasha Wing In rhyming text based on “The Night Before Christmas,” a family, decked in red, white, and blue, heads to the Fourth of July parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with neighbors, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and watches the fireworks show.
	Red, White, and Boom! By: Lee Wardlaw Parades, beach picnics, and fireworks in the park are some of the ways Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.
	Fourth of July Fireworks By: Patrick Merrick Briefly explains the significance of the Fourth of July holiday, describes the origin and meaning of its celebration with fireworks, and discusses the making and safety aspects of fireworks.
	Hurray for the Fourth of July By: Wendy Watson A small-town family celebrates the Fourth of July by attending a parade, having a picnic, and watching fireworks. Interspersed throughout the pages are patriotic songs and traditional rhymes.
	The 4th of July By: Dorothy Goeller Simple text and photographs present a story with a 4th of July theme. Perfect for ages 4 to 6.
	Looking for Uncle Louie on the Fourth of July By: Kathy Whitehead A boy gets a big surprise when the low riders take part in the Independence Day parade. A story that captures the thrill of watching an Independence Day parade in the American Southwest.
	Celebrate Fourth of July with Champ, the Scamp By: Alma Flor Ada Champ the dog hitches a ride in the basket for the Fourth of July picnic. Includes nonfiction information about the holiday.
	Snickerdoodle’s Star-Spangled Fourth of July By: Clare Ham Grosgebauer Uncle Yankee Doodle’s family and animal friends gather for a fourth of July celebration, and when it looks like the fireworks will be spoiled by the bouncy behavior of the firehouse dog, Snickerdoodle finds a solution and shines the spotlight on an unusual special guest.
	The Great Cake Bake By: Helen Ketteman When her town hosts a Fourth of July cake competition, Donna Rae tries to bake the best cake ever, but with every patriotic confection she makes, something goes wrong.
	July Jitters By: Ron Roy Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy enter Polly the pony and Pal the dog in a July 4th pet costume contest, but when Independence Day arrives the animals are nowhere to be found.
	Uncle Chente’s Picnic By: Diane Bertrand A big rainstorm and a power failure during a Fourth of July picnic in honor of Uncle Chente cause a change in plans, resulting in a very special family gathering.
	One Final Firecracker By: Gregory Maguire A giant spider and several other odd creatures from the earlier books in the Hamlet Chronicles return as the small Vermont town celebrates a grammar school graduation, Miss Earth’s wedding, and the Fourth of July.
	Wildfire By: Elizabeth Starr Hill Living with his great-grandmother in rural Florida, ten-year-old Ben looks forward to the Fourth of July celebrations, but the day becomes complicated by the presence of a new neighbor boy, a stray puppy, and local wildfires.
	The Case of the July 4th Jinx By: Lewis B. Montgomery With the help of ace detective Dash Marlowe, sleuths-in-training Mio and Jazz investigate a so-called jinx at the local Fourth of July fair.
	Independence Day Origami By: Ruth Owen Full-color step-by-step instructions teach children how to fold Independence Day-themed origami decorations.
	Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags By: James Giblin Traces the social history behind America’s celebration of Independence Day and explains the background of such national symbols as the flag, the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, and Uncle Sam.
	The Explosive Story of Fireworks By: Kama Einhorn Includes information about the first fireworks, their appearance in Europe and Fourth of July fireworks.
	Apple Pie Fourth of July By: Janet Wong A Chinese American child fears that the food her parents are preparing to sell on the Fourth of July will not be eaten.
	Red, White, and Blue and Katie Woo By: Fran Manushkin As Katie, her parents, and friends celebrate Independence Day with a parade, games, a picnic, and fireworks, the few things that go wrong do not interfere with their fun.
	Happy Birthday, America By: Mary Pope Osborne The whole family joins in a lively small-town celebration of Independence Day, including a parade, a picnic, music, and fireworks. An author’s note explains the origin of the celebration of July 4th.
	The Story of America’s Birthday By: Patricia Pingry A simple introduction to the American Revolution, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the significance of the Fourth of July.