"Children who are Dual Language Learners (DLLS) with a strong base in their home language are more apt to be ready for school and to learn English well." So begins a  guide for teachers from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning. It includes a rundown of what to consider when selecting books for your program, tips for sharing books with families and a list of resources for finding titles in other languages.

Culturally appropriate picture books are key, according to the guide. "Look for books that represent the languages and cultures of the children in your program. For example, books in Spanish about making tortillas over the open fire do not represent all children who speak Spanish;...the experience and the Spanish vocabulary in this story would not represent the experiences of a child from Puerto Rico." Thus, it's optimal to find books originally written in the families' languages that accurately represent their cultures. 

Ideas for finding books include partnering with local public libraries--they're part of the same community and serve the same families as you do. If you are able to purchase books, the guide includes a list of nine vendors offering children's books in many world languages. Click here to download the five-page guide.

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