Are you looking for some children stories to help you learn Spanish?
Tired of spending hours trying to study those flash cards or spending time practicing with duolingo?
Maybe you’re just trying to learn how to get a good base of the basics and some vocabulary to add to your roledex of spanish words.
Or maybe your just looking for another way to engage how to learn the language without feeling like you’re in school…
You know that feeling of reading that boring textbook over and over until you get it.
Who wants to do that?
Well if you do like reading then this post might be perfect for you.
What’s The Best Way To Learning A Language?
Even if you’re not a big time reader I think this post can still be beneficial for you as well.
It can be a break from your regular routine or rather become apart of your learning routine.
Reading books has huge benefits on the brain and reading books in your target language can lead to major leaps and bounds in your progress.
I remember when I first started learning how to speak Spanish I was looking for so many different ways to learn.
Specifically how to build upon my vocabulary and I wanted to learn what were the best ways or methods to do it.
I started researching on youtube and blogs to figure out how others have figured out the best ways to learn a language.
What were their methods and how could they actually help me in my efforts to acquire this language.
I then stumbled upon a few videos of polyglots and how they swear by this one method whenever they started learning a language.
Have you ever heard something before and even though you didn’t know all the facts deep down you feel like there is some truth to what they were saying.
That’s how I felt when I heard that reading was one of the best ways to see and understand the language better.
The reasoning behind this theory is because when your reading your not focused on the grammar of the language but more on the story itself.
If you haven’t noticed before there is something about stories that resonate with people more.
We remember stories more than facts.
However, if we include facts into a story they leave a greater impression on us.
For instance, why do you think before there were text books and this thing called the internet, history was passed down with stories.
We enjoy hearing stories and being told stories.
Why Reading Is A Great Way To Learn A Language
It is something about the idea of entertainment placed in the form of a good story that makes the brain respond positively.
Therefore one of the best methods to “acquiring” a language along with new vocabulary is with fun and entertianing stories.
Even understanding the different patterns in a language is possible through the simple idea of reading.
I know you may be thinking to yourself, this can’t be it?
I know I felt the same way!
It can’t be that easy…
But then I started to try it for myself and I began to understand what they were saying.
I mean why not try it because if you’re like me when you had Spanish classes in school did you learn to speak the language?
Studying the words and the grammar daily.
Most likely the answer is a big fat…
NO!
I know I didn’t
So as opposed to trying something again that didnt work before why not try something where you know others before your have done and found success.
Tony Robbins once said…
If success leaves clues then… “you can also turn to the people in your life who’ve already achieved success”
These clues are in the form of others who have had success before us.
So instead of trying to find a new method why not model the successful so that you can be as well.
It only makes sense right.
Here check out this video if you want to see some more info why reading can be beneficial.
I’m not saying reading should be your only method of learning a language because you going to have to speak it at some point…
But reading will help you to recognize and maintain more especially after you have learned it.
How To Get Started Reading In Your Target Language.
So from that point I then started to look for books that I could start off with.
Where else to begin then with simple children stories.
Of course since I already had a basic understanding of the language I thought I could handle more advanced books.
I was wrong.
So I started with really easy children’s books.
But let’s think about how children begin to read.
They start with small and simple sentences that don’t have many words and they begin to read simple books.
Books that have sentences such as “I See The Dog”.
After they finish reading those books they begin to grow and move on to other books with more words therefore moving to the next level.
As they grow their able to see the different patterns and even use those simple patterns that they have read in the books.
But they’re not thinking about the grammar and which words go before another.
What they see they repeat and mimic what they see.
Before you know it they are able to understand and see the complexities of the language without trying.
The brain is amazing like that.
Therefore they are inherently and unconsciously acquiring the language.
Therefore it’s a fun and interactive way to learning especially if the reading material is something you are interested in.
Since this is a new language we have to approach learning a language as a child would and take it with baby steps.
Even if you think your too old for that I would still recommend you to start there…
but if it’s too slow and childlike for you then find a simple easy book with a topic you are interested in and start there.
Another thing I would suggest is having audio with the text so you can hear the story, or read the story out loud so you can get your mouth and tongue accustom to the language as well.
Therefore from those resources and information I found they have help me to become accustomed to acquiring the language.
Yet, this is not all I wanted to share with you.
From my experience I also wanted to share the top 10 stories that has helped to immerse myself in the language and enjoy the journey.
I think they are great resources because there are audio versions and if you are a native english speaker you may be familiar with the stories already.
When you know the story ahead of time it is sometimes easier to follow along even in another language because you know what it’s saying.
This also helps your brain to associate new words with old familiar ones.
These stories are also bilingual so they have the spanish and the english version when you have trouble understanding.
This makes the perfect resource for those learning Spanish and even Spanish speakers wanting to learn English.
So let’s get on to the top 10 list shall we…
The Top 10 Children Stories For Learning Spanish
1. Pollito Tito (Chicken Little)
Ok to start things off let’s start with a classic most Americans are very familiar with…
Chicken little.
This is the fun story of a chicken that finds out or thinks the sky is falling and then goes around telling his friends about the danger.
I like the way they told this story because they brought a few modern twists into the story.
However, there is a surprise at the end which I don’t like to spoil it for you but you have to read to find out.
Enjoy reading or listening to this story in Spanish and whenever you need help understanding something just click the translate button for the translation.
This story is fun because they created a simple animation video to go along with the story.
So you can enjoy watching and listening to it at the same time.
2. El Pájaro y La Ballena (The bird and the whale)
Ok if your sap for love stories then you might like this one, talking to you especially ladies.
But hey guys don’t put this story off because it might have a romantic theme behind it.
There are some silly points that make you question “Why would you do that?”.
There might be some life lessons in this fun short story about a bird and a whale.
Pick up new words that you never thought of until you read this story.
3. Los Tres Cerditos (The 3 Little Pigs)
Ok who doesn’t know about the 3 little pigs?
Which is why I think will make a great beginner friendly story for those learning Spanish.
It was for me.
Again with these stories we may know the story a certain way growing up but this time things are a little different.
I enjoy creativity in a story and especially this one how they deal with the lobo (wolf).
Want to know what happens…
I guess your gonna have to read to find out
4. Ricitos de Oro y Los Tres Osos (Goldie locks and the 3 bears)
Is it just me but did you feel some type of way when ricitos de ora ate the bears food.
I don’t know about you but I don’t mind sharing but I think you should always ask before you take.
But that’s just me.
Anyways here is another story that you may be familiar with as a native of America, not to be confused with native Americans lol.
Or if you are still looking for more options to read and learn Spanish then check out this story.
An easy story to read and it comes with translations as well for those words you get stuck with.
5. Caperucita Rojo (Red Ridinghood)
If you’re like me and enjoy animations and seen the movie hoodwinked with a spin on the classic red ridinghood…
then sorry to disappoint you but this won’t be like that.
Sorry if I may have got you excited.
But again if a story has made it on this list then I can say I enjoyed reading the story and not just for the sake of learning Spanish but that was a bonus.
Meet new characters and learn the Spanish version of this classic tale told to millions of children and build your vocabulary up.
6. Jack y Los Frijoles Magicos
Ok I think even without the subtitles you should have begun to get an understanding of what this story was and what it will be about.
To be honest this was one of my favorite stories out of them all.
I can’t remember the story when I was a kid but when I read this story I enjoyed it.
I really can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed this story more, maybe I understood it more or something in the story resonated with me.
Even though I felt bad for one of the characters, and no it wasn’t jack, but I still enjoyed it.
With that being said I think you will too.
Check it out and let us know what you think.
7. Hansel y Gretel
Ok for this story I don’t think I need to write the translation for you because it is pretty straight forward.
But if you don’t know what this story is about it is about two kids (brother and sister) who get lost in a forrest and meet a witch.
Of course the witch isn’t a good person but some crazy things happen that can even make you question…
Is this really a childrens story?
when I was growing up I don’t remember such mean things in my stories.
But I think you need to read it yourself to understand.
If you noticed I really don’t like to spoil a good movie or story so I hope this leaves you curious enough to read the story.
If not there are plenty of other stories you can choose from : ).
8. La Cenicienta (Cinderella)
If you grew up with Disney then this story needs no introduction or backstory.
But I will still tell a little bit for those who may not know.
Follow along with the classic princess tale Spanish style and see how a young girl meets the prince of her dreams.
Learn how the prince searches the whole kingdom to find her and her life is forever changed.
9. Los Tres Chivitos Traviesos (The 3 billy goats)
So this was a new story for me because I never heard of it but I though it was a good story still.
Especially the 3 billy goats who are brothers and find out how these 3 goats overcome a large obstacle in their way to reach their goal.
With this story I know I used the translate button many times to understand what was going on because I did not know many words.
Yet it’s still was a fun story to follow along with and to my Spanish reading list.
10. Rapunzel
Last but not least is rapunzel.
They have the same name in Spanish and English so no need to learn another word for it just its pronunciation.
However continue to learn Spanish with the tale of a girl and her long hair.
I never understood what really made this girl so special because of her long hair but hey sometimes we don’t ask these types of questions until we get older.
So here is another Spanish tale derived from another classic American tale.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 10 children stories that can help you in your journey to reading and speaking Spanish.
Listen and reread these stories often and you will begin to really become familiar with new words and how to use the spanish language the way you always wanted to.
The best part you will be picking it up almost unconsciously without studying grammar.
Again these books are a great supplement to your studies.
You don’t have to only read books to learn the language but reading along with listening to music and movies are a great way to immerse yourself in the language without traveling to the country.
These books have helped me tremoundsly on my journey and I want to share them with others.
Also if your looking for a way to get started in learning a language then check our post on 6 steps to learning a foreign language.
I know it can be hard to find resources online, especially knowing where to start.
So I think these easy to read bilingual stories are a great way to get started.
You can even take phrases from the stories and practice using them in daily conversations when you want to practice speaking.
Have you ever thought about that?
Well, enjoy and please share with a friend if you found this resource useful.
Also, please let us know what you think or if you have any ideas you would like us to share.
Keep learning and nos vemos!