Buenas noches, luna
Multilingual bedtime
If you fancy a change of pace from the typical storybooks, this one is all about identifying bedtime objects in English, Spanish, and French. This is a great choice for young babies who are just beginning to follow when you point and explain. Finally, we can say “pajamas” in three languages.
To buy: Amazon, $8
Buenas noches, gorila
This adorably funny book about a zookeeper saying goodnight to his animal friends will make your baby smile. Shhh, the animals are in for a bedtime adventure. The book doubles as a bilingual lesson in animal names. A whimsical read is sure to inspire dulces sueños.
To buy: Amazon, $7
Time to power down
The English version became an instant classic and a it’s a must-have for babies who love to play with trucks. With gentle rhymes and sunset hues, “felices sueños, camiones grandes y pequeños” can help even the fussiest of little ones to calm their own engines and get some much needed rest. In my home, it’s a favorite shared by papá and bebé.
To buy: Amazon, $14
One more goodnight kiss
Amy Hest has written some of my favorite children’s books, some that I remember from my own childhood. “Un beso de buenas noches” pays tribute to bedtime rituals and addresses those times when your little one is reluctant to sleep. There’s nothing to be afraid of and mami bear is always nearby. Beautifully illustrated, this one is essential in your bilingual bedtime story collection.
To buy: Amazon, $13
Hola noche
What sets this book apart is its dream-like drawings and the fact that the story involves a mom and baby who are outside. They walk together and greet the night, the crickets, the stars, and everything else they encounter as they make their way home. This is the perfect book to rock your baby to sleep.
To buy: Target, $15
It’s time for bed
“Es hora de dormir” is a collection of animals saying goodnight to their babies. The illustrations of sleepy animals make for a relaxed read, and one that is perfect for whispering as you cuddle together. This is a longer book, with a total of 28 pages, but the passages are short, making it a great choice for parents who want just one story before bedtime.
To buy: Amazon, $6
