As a Colombian mom raising a multicultural daughter, it's important to me that my daughter grows up understanding my culture as well as her father's European culture. While there is nothing better than traveling to actual Colombia, I do my best to look for books that can bring the country a little closer to home in America and I am so happy that we have come across these books.
Colombian Books for Kids in English and Spanish
1.The Adventures of Pili in Colombia
On our to buy list. I love that this book is still graphic but has more reading so it's for a child at least 4 years of age. We can't wait to read it as Pili, the girl in the story explores Colombia and it's a great way for my daughter to explore the country and culture in a book.
Concept:
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Paperback
Language: Bilingual English - Spanish
Reading Ages: 4 to 9 years old
2. Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro
This is a great book based on a true story and encourages a love for reading and books. We've read this book multiple times. I love it as it takes me back to my visits in rural Colombia visiting my tias. Bonus that it's bilingual.
Concept:
A remarkable tale of books and reading, now in a bilingual Spanish-English edition.
On most days, teacher and librarian Luis Soriano Bohórquez packs his two burros, Alfa and Beto, with books and makes his way over mountains and through valleys to visit children in far-flung villages in rural Colombia—all for the sake of literacy and culture. Based on the work of a remarkable man and his intrepid burros, this bilingual English and Spanish edition celebrates the impact that a special mobile library—called the “biblioburro”—has had on the lives of real children.
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Hardcover
Language: Bilingual English - Spanish
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
3. VÁMONOS: Bogota
If you're not familiar with Lil Libros, they are a great way to introduce your little ones to the culture. I love that they have introduced a series of books from various cities including San Salvador, Oaxaca, Panama City, Santo Domingo, and more. Vamonos a Bogotá takes your little one exploring through the capital of Colombia.
Concept:
Teach your little reader about the magical capital of Colombia through illustrations and words that will teach them about the world in English and Spanish.
Introduce your little readers to Bogota, the capital of Colombia, one of the most famous cities for making and buying emeralds. Children will travel through colorful streets and find hidden gems rooted in history and culture.
Page Number: 22 pages
Type of Books: Board book
Language: English
Reading Ages: 2 to 5 years old
4. Juana and Lucas
I just bought this bought for my daughter to get her exposed to my culture in a different and more relatable way. It's another great book that has a good combination of graphics and text and is set in Colombia.
Concept:
“Refreshingly original. . . . Medina’s beautiful, vivid prose conjures the Colombian setting with tactile language. . . . The story itself is a giant hug.” — The New York Times Book Review
Fans of Judy Moody and Clarice Bean will love Juana, the spunky young Colombian girl who stars in this playful, abundantly illustrated series. Juana loves many things: drawing, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. She does not love wearing her itchy school uniform, solving math problems, or learning the English. Why is it so important to learn a language that makes so little sense? Hilarious, energetic, and utterly relatable, Juana will win over los corazones (the hearts) of readers everywhere.
Page Number: 96 pages
Type of Books: Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback, MP3 CD
Language: English
Reading Ages: 5 to 8 years old
5. Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela!
A must have for the holidays, this book takes you through a traditional Año Nuevo. It reminds me of Decembers visiting extended family with music, natilla and buñuelos, and all the festivities the holiday brings.
Concept:
Ava Gabriela is visiting her extended family in Colombia for the holidays. She's excited to take part in family traditions such as making buñuelos, but being around all her loud relatives in an unfamiliar place makes Ava shy and quiet. How will Ava find her voice before she misses out on all the New Year's fun?
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover
Language: English
Reading Ages: 4 to 7 years old
6. Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built
A cute story, good for Kindle, based on a true story about José Alberto Gutiérrez and a love for books and reading to share with his community. It's set in Bogotá and has very nice illustrations.
Concept:
A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.
In the city of Bogota, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays-- that's the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for José́. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he's been collecting books--thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones-- to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.
With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.
Page Number: 40 pages
Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover
Language: English
Reading Ages: 4 to 8 years old
7. My Name is Gabito / Me llamo Gabito
A great book that teaches kids about Colombian writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquéz in a fun and imaginative way. Great for little readers and authors or kids with big imaginations.
Concept:
Can you imagine a shipwrecked sailor living on air and seaweed for eight days? Can you imagine a trail of yellow butterflies fluttering their wings to songs of love? Once, there was a little boy named Gabito who could. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is perhaps one of the most brilliant writers of our time. He is a tremendous figure, enormously talented, and unabashedly admired. This is his story, lovingly told, for children to enjoy. Using the imagery from his novels, Monica Brown traces the novelist's life in this creative nonfiction picture book from his childhood in Colombia to today. This is an inspiring story about an inspiring life, full of imagination and beauty.
Page Number: 32 pages
Type of Books: Kindle, Hardcover
Language: English, Multilingual, Spanish
Reading Ages: 4 to 8 years old
Final Thoughts on Colombian Books in Spanish and English
We hope to continue to add more books to this list. If you're looking for books from other South American countries I recommend reading, Children's Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage By Country and if you're planning a trip to Colombia you may find this blog post helpful: A Latina Mom's Guide for Traveling to Medellin, Colombia with Kids
Enjoyed the blog? We're passionate about nurturing the bilingual and bicultural experiences of our young ones. At Mi Legasi, we're dedicated to sharing our Hispanic and Latinx traditions and the Spanish language with our kids. Discover the various ways our Colombian founder can support you as a parent in preserving and celebrating your cultural heritage.
Looking to foster a strong connection to your Latino roots and empower your child through bilingualism? Explore my comprehensive bilingual parenting course, Confident Bilingual Parenting: How to Raise a Bilingual Spanish Child Your Way. Gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and access to a private community, ensuring you have all the tools you need to nurture your child's language development and cultural awareness from an early age.
You can also delve into my easy-to-read and visual book, Nobody Told Me This About Raising a Bilingual Child, which not only serves as a practical guide but also makes a thoughtful baby shower gift.
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No matter which path you choose, rest assured that I'm here to support your bilingual parenting journey in every way.
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