By Pali Bermúdez | Bunny Tails Stories
When my daughter first heard a story in Spanish, she tilted her head. She was used to hearing me speak Spanish, but hearing it in a book — that was different. It was special. It meant her language was important enough to be printed.
That moment changed how I thought about bilingual reading. It wasn’t just about vocabulary. It was about belonging.
The Research Is Clear
Children who are exposed to books in both languages show stronger vocabulary development, better cognitive flexibility, and deeper cultural identity. A landmark study from the National Literacy Trust found that bilingual children who read regularly in both languages outperformed their monolingual peers in reading comprehension by age 7.
But here’s what the research doesn’t always capture: the emotional impact. When a child sees their home language in a published book, it sends a message: “Your language matters. Your family’s words matter. You belong.”
You Don’t Have to Be Fluent
This is the most important thing I can tell you: you don’t need to be fluent in both languages to raise a bilingual reader.
If you speak some Spanish (or any second language), reading a bilingual picture book together is one of the easiest ways to practice — for both of you. The book does the heavy lifting. You follow along.
And if you don’t speak the second language at all? Bilingual books with both languages side by side let your child hear the rhythm and see the words, even if you’re learning alongside them.
How to Build a Bilingual Reading Routine
- Pick one book in both languages. Bunny Tails: Mila’s Big Wish is available in English and Spanish (Aventuras de Algodón: El gran deseo de Mila). Read the English version one day, the Spanish version the next.
- Don’t translate word-for-word. Let each language stand on its own. Your child will absorb the meaning from context, illustrations, and repetition.
- Make it a ritual. Same time, same place. Bedtime in English, morning in Spanish — or whatever works for your family.
- Celebrate bilingual moments. When your child uses a word from the book in conversation — in either language — notice it. Celebrate it. That’s the magic working.
- Include family. Send the Spanish edition to abuela. Read together over video call. Bilingual reading is a bridge between generations.
Why I Write Bilingual Books
I created Bunny Tails because I wanted my children to see a story that sounded like our home — a home where English and Spanish live side by side, where cultural traditions blend, and where big feelings get expressed in whatever language comes first.
The Bunny Tails series is designed so that each edition stands on its own. The English version is a complete experience. The Spanish version is a complete experience. Together, they’re a bilingual journey.
Because our kids deserve to see both of their languages — and both of their worlds — honored in stories.
Get both editions: Bunny Tails: Mila’s Big Wish (English) | Aventuras de Algodón: El gran deseo de Mila (Spanish)