You know that feeling of satisfaction when you finally begin a conversation in Spanish?
what about the pleasure you experience when understanding movies or songs in Spanish?
You are reading: Read books in spanish
If you can check those things off your list, your next challenge could be finishing a book in Spanish.
There is nothing quite as satisfying as the feeling of turning the last page and realizing that you really have done it: you have read an entire book in another language!
content
- the benefits of reading in Spanish
- how to choose the perfect book in Spanish
- short stories in Spanish
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- 1 . “the book of strong glory for girls and boys: verses, stories and life”
- 2. “jungle tales”
- 3. “Stories in Spanish”
- 4. “stories that our grandmothers told”
- 5. “easy reading in Spanish”
- 6. “rox’s mission”
- 7. “unlucky detective”
- 8. “the little prince”
- 9. “the alchemist”
- 10. “the tunnel”
- 11. “poor anna”
- 12. “first reader in spanish: a bilingual book for beginners”
- 13. “11 bilingual fairy tales in Spanish and English”
- 14. “short and easy novels in Spanish for beginners”
- 15. “Stories in Spanish”
- 16. “the big brown bear”
- 17. “recess recess”
- 18. “curious george the home run”
- 19. “the hare and the tortoise”
- 20. “papery detective”
- 21. “Alma and how she got the name from him”
- 22. “Lucía’s light”
- 23. “if you give a cookie to a mouse”
- 24. “with tango there are three”
- 25. “caps for sale”
- 26. “who sleeps away from home”
- 27. “the beautiful daughters of mufaro”
- 28. “Are you my mom?”
- 29. “rabbit and turtle go to school”
- 30. “gael and the web of lies: a graphic novel”
- 31. “enola holmes and the surprising case of lady alistair”
- 32. “alive they took them away”
- 33. “a wrinkle in time”
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
See Also: Philip Marlowe – Book Series In Order
the benefits of reading in Spanish
Reading in Spanish will not only make you feel more confident about your language skills, but it will also expand your vocabulary and help you internalize the language you are learning.
There is also something special about seeing a written language, rather than just hearing it. Seeing the words written on the page will give you the opportunity to read the sentences over and over again until you absorb the meaning and commit it to memory.
Reading will also expose you to new grammar and vocabulary structures. Don’t forget to record any new vocabulary you learn as you go along, and don’t give up if there are words or even sections in any of these books that you don’t fully understand.
Reading the books on these lists will work well if you’re a tactile learner, but there are also plenty of digital language learning options to choose from if you want to learn on the go.
for example, the fluentu online learning program has a built-in multimedia flash card system for studying vocabulary. the program works primarily with authentic videos like movie clips, commercials, and news segments – giving you the opportunity to see all the new words you come across while reading in other contexts.
There is also less anxiety involved in reading. in fact, reading is probably the least stressful activity you can do to learn a language. when you read, you can sit back, relax, and take it all in at your own pace.
Reading in another language is also a great way to discover new stories that you might not otherwise have had the opportunity to read. Not all books written in Spanish are translated into English, so your Spanish skills can help you discover a world you might not otherwise have known existed.
If the thought going through your head is “but I’m not far enough along!” think again. It’s similar to when you learned to read in your own language: you start with basic books and work your way up to something more advanced.
You can also use more structured interactive reading to build your skills until you’re ready to tackle the books.
how to choose the perfect spanish book
Reading basic books in Spanish will help you make the transition to the language more easily if you choose a book that is well suited to your specific interests and level. your perfect Spanish book should be:
- an achievable length. don’t aim for “don quixote de la Mancha” on your first try. think about the length of the book you would normally read in English and divide it in half.
- appropriate for level. it can be difficult to know which book is the right level for you, so what qualified readers that are made especially for learners of Spanish can be helpful. ideally, you should understand about 70% of the words on the page. If you’re not sure, try reading the first page before you buy the book. if you can get the idea, more or less, that’s a good start! if you want to become familiar with reading in Spanish, it may be a good idea to choose a book that seems fairly simple to you, to help ease the habit of reading.
- a story that interests you. The same goes for reading in any language. if you don’t like the story or the theme, you’re unlikely to see the book through to the end. this is perhaps even more important for reading in Spanish. try to find a story you like, or you will end up frustrated and bored.
Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of my top 33 easy-to-read books to get you started.
short stories in Spanish
1. “the book of strong glory for girls and boys: verses, stories and life”
This collection of children’s literature by the poet Gloria Fuertes is a treasure.
“the book of strong glory for girls and boys: verses, stories and life”, has more than 100 poems and stories, many of which are beautifully illustrated by the acclaimed artist marta altés, and is the ideal resource for beginning readers in Spanish.
The stories are entertaining and the poetry is simple, but often profound. The book features dragons, bears, chicks, turtles, kangaroos, and many other adorable characters.
The stories will not only captivate you, but will also help you further your Spanish learning journey.
Although this book is aimed at children between the ages of six and eight, adults will also find great pleasure in it.
2. “jungle tales”
A book of stories for children, “Tales of the Jungle” was written in 1918 by the Uruguayan author Horacio Quiroga.
Quiroga spent many years living in the jungle of Misiones, Argentina and used his experiences to bring the jungle to life in these short stories.
This is a world where crocodiles wear banana necklaces and smoke Paraguayan cigarettes. where parrots invite tigers to tea and a lazy bee drinks all the honey so they don’t have to work.
These short and sweet stories are easy to read and you’ll also improve your animal vocabulary when you’re done.
3. “Stories in Spanish”
If you’re looking for variety in literature, here’s a collection of 20 original short stories spanning all genres.
From romance to science fiction, you will see Spanish in different contexts.
Although Spanish varies from region to region, “Short Stories in Spanish: 20 Captivating Spanish Short Stories for Beginners While Improving Your Listening Comprehension, Enhancing Your Vocabulary and Having Fun”, provides enough information through each story, so that readers have a better command of the language in general.
It’s highly recommended that you have a notebook ready once you finish a story, as each one is followed by a short quiz to see how much you’ve absorbed from reading.
The questions are in English, but some require a response in Spanish. one exercise, in particular, asks readers to rewrite the ending of a story in Spanish and then in English.
In addition to exercises, the author includes vocabulary, grammar, and cultural notes to give you a complete understanding of each story.
Each chapter ends with the English translation, which is a good reference. it’s also strategically placed after the quiz so you can get as much as you can from the Spanish text instead of relying on the translation.
4. “stories that were told to our grandmothers”
A tribute to family and heritage, “tales that our grandmothers told”, is a preview of the rich Latin American cultures diversified by their African, Arab, European, Hebrew and indigenous roots.
From a cunning vixen to joyous bagpipes, these 12 stories have been passed down from generation to generation: standing the test of time, changing landscapes, and finally immortalized in this moving anthology.
Since these stories are clearly Latin, this book is extremely useful for those who want to focus on the Spanish of the Americas, yet it is still a wonderful and accessible read for advanced beginners in European Spanish.
5. “easy Spanish reading”
This book is for students who want a “textbook” feel to their reading.
The “easy reading in Spanish” is divided into three parts. The first is about Enrique and Maria. you will learn all about these two friends while learning some really useful vocabulary.
The second part deals with the history of Mexico, which is great because, in addition to improving linguistically, you will become culturally familiar with the Spanish-speaking world.
and finally, the third section is an adaptation of that Spanish classic “lazarillo de tormes”, which is the story of a boy who serves a series of masters that includes a priest and an archbishop.
There are exercises between sections. and, if you do them diligently, you will be amply rewarded with a firmer understanding of Spanish.
Spanish novels
6. “rox’s mission”
“Rox’s Mission”, known in English as “all the fairies in the kingdom”, is an easy-to-read book for young adults.
Although it is the third installment in a series, it is a charming story that easily stands out from the other two books. you don’t need to read the others to love this one, unless of course you want to!
This is a brilliant story about magic, a fascinating quest, and the need to defend civilization.
there are monsters, battles, secrets and tests of resistance. The book is easy to read, although beginners will probably benefit from having a translation app or a good Spanish dictionary on hand.
7. “unlucky detective”
the “bad luck detective” by hilario pena, is an exciting read. is suitable for beginning readers as the vocabulary is relatively simple.
however, this book also offers a touch of challenge to help you keep moving forward and growing as a language learner.
There are also cultural references, slang, and some mid-level passages.
A good translation app or a Spanish dictionary will help you overcome any vocabulary hurdle. rely on a dictionary to look up what you don’t know. remember, we also use dictionaries to learn new words in our native languages!
The story includes a private investigator, who finds himself involved in a case full of supernatural events. the unsavory characters he meets are both intriguing and disgusting.
This is a page turner that will probably attract the attention of all level Spanish learners, especially those who like the detective genre.
This book will give you an excellent opportunity to take note of vocabulary that is a bit more difficult, while also helping you gain confidence with vocabulary that you actually already know.
8. “the little prince”
Although “The Little Prince” was originally written in French, its simple story and sweet images make it a joy to read in any language.
Some people claim that the alien landscapes described in the book refer to Argentine Patagonia, as Saint-Exupéry flew over the region many times during his time as a pilot.
A good book for practicing simple dialogues and the past tense, this is a slim and manageable volume for intermediate and above students.
Even if you have already read “The Little Prince” in English (or another language), you will find it useful to read it again in Spanish as you can focus solely on the language and enjoy the family story.
9. “the alchemist”
Originally written in Portuguese, the Spanish translation of this international bestseller is good if you want to read an entire novel in the language.
See Also: Who has written the most books? | Mal Warwick Blog on Books
The story of “the alchemist”, is about a young Spanish shepherd who undertakes a search after having a recurring dream.
The lessons learned by the pastor throughout the book can be applied to a variety of life decisions, and because of this, the book is often referred to as more “self-help than literature.”
In addition to its spiritual message, the main linguistic benefit of this book is that both the vocabulary and grammar are simple and easy to understand.
10. “the tunnel”
This psychological thriller was written in 1948 by Argentine writer Ernesto Sábato and was widely acclaimed internationally when it was released.
a popular text among Argentine teenagers today: it has also been adapted for the stage and the big screen.
The plot of “The Tunnel” revolves around Juan Pablo Castel, a painter from Buenos Aires who has killed the woman he loved, María Iribarne. castel examines his motives and much of the book deals with existentialism. it is also closely related to the author’s characteristic acidic pessimism.
This book deals with some tricky subjects, but it’s a fascinating read for anyone who wants to challenge themselves to read a book in another language that really makes them think.
11. “poor anna”
if you think children’s books are too “beginner” for you, then this one is way ahead of the rest.
ana lives in a small house in california, with a mother who is always on top of her case, a father who doesn’t have enough money, and a car that has seen better days. Ana envies the life of her friends, with her flashy cars and a lot of other things that she can only dream of.
In the summer, Ana finds herself living with a family in Mexico where she meets new friends and acquaintances. she sees the lives they are living and learns that there are more important things in life than a new journey.
“poor ana”, is the first of the blaine ray series. and you’ll be happy to know that it has a vocabulary list on the back.
bilingual texts in Spanish
12. “first reader in spanish: a bilingual book for beginners”
“first reader in Spanish: a bilingual book for beginners” is an excellent introduction to the wonderful world of reading stories in Spanish. stories are presented with the story in Spanish on one page and the English translation on the opposite page.
Many of the stories also include authentic Spanish idioms, which will only help deepen your understanding and connection to the language.
The vocabulary used in this volume is not complicated, but that does not mean that the stories are too simple or pointless. These stories are thought-provoking!
Graded readers are a great option for beginning readers. they usually contain simple stories, use basic vocabulary, and often add extras to help students improve their skills.
This book is no exception: there is also an additional section that highlights vocabulary and offers practical exercises for Spanish learners.
Another advantage of rated readers like this is the fact that stories are manageable in size. they are excellent pieces of literature designed for language learning.
13. “11 bilingual fairy tales in Spanish and English”
Relive your childhood by reading all your favorite fairy tales in Spanish!
As the title suggests, this book is a collection of folklore we grew up with, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood.
something to be aware of with this book is the seemingly archaic language.
Because the stories are the original texts, some of the Spanish translations may seem outdated, although this was done on purpose to preserve the original style.
In addition, you will also get the audio files of each story (270 minutes in total), narrated by native Spanish and English speakers.
audio accompaniment is perfect for listening anywhere, anytime, allowing you to hear the correct pronunciation and natural flow of speech.
14. “short and easy novels in Spanish for beginners”
Looking for a little suspense in your books in Spanish?
The horror genre is not something that many beginners dive into, but this author makes it accessible even to those who have just started their linguistic journey.
This book contains two stories, Ghost and the House, both full of simple grammatical constructions and relevant vocabulary.
The stories are short and sweet, with each sentence being no more than 12 words and each chapter containing only 10 sentences, which means there’s plenty of room on each page if you want to take notes.
The stories conclude with a small quiz as an exercise in reading comprehension. It’s a multiple choice quiz, so there’s nothing scary that makes you dread reaching the end of each story.
15. “short stories in Spanish”
Suitable for all learning levels, “Cuentos en Español” is a compilation of ten contemporary short stories from the most celebrated Hispanic writers, including Gabriel García Márquez and Laura Freixas.
Compared to the rest of the books in this category, the content may seem a bit more advanced since each story is about ten full pages long.
but don’t worry: the stories come with annotations, so you’ll have all the information you need to read them without having to resort to a dictionary.
This is also a good alternative for beginners and intermediates who want to go beyond children’s literature and explore authentic but shorter Spanish texts that are much more accessible compared to novels by leading writers.
16. “the big brown bear”
As a beginner to Spanish, you will find books in two languages extremely helpful.
This version of “The Great Brown Bear” is one of those books. you will find Spanish translations on each line along with the English text.
Not only will you be able to follow the mischievous adventures of our great brown bear friend, but more importantly, you will also be able to see how English and Spanish correlate.
In addition, you will notice how the two languages compare and contrast: how their sentence constructions agree in some respects and differ in others. take note of these aspects and you will not only enjoy the story, but also the language book.
17. “recess recess”
In the spirit of looking for someone to play with during recess, think about it: this is one of those books that you and your kids (or nieces and nephews) can enjoy together!
“El Recreo Recreo”, is another bilingual book where you get a word-by-word Spanish translation on every page, while improving your vocabulary and knowledge of Spanish sentence structures.
18. “curious george the home run”
If you’re as curious as George when you read this book, you’ll be doing much more than just reading a story about a beloved children’s book character.
By the end of the story, you will have a real idea of the most basic structures of sentences and phrases in Spanish. You will see for yourself what “gender nouns” are and how prepositions and pronouns work. that is in addition to acquiring new baseball vocabulary in Spanish.
and if you’re really curious, well this is about how george went from spectator to player on his first trip to the ballpark.
children’s books in Spanish
19. “the hare and the tortoise”
“The Hare and the Tortoise” is the Spanish version of the beloved and well-known classic children’s book.
This story is intended for a three- to five-year-old target audience, but it will bring as much joy to an older reader as it does to any young listener, and is a great way to build basic vocabulary.
This funny yet meaningful story is told using basic words and phrases. In addition, the short sentences offer beginning students the opportunity to practice reading aloud in Spanish, without dealing with long and complex sentences.
a bonus? The book features interactive scrapbooking activities – any hands-on activity in Spanish is definitely beneficial for students!
20. “papery detective”
Written by Chilean author Marcela Paz, “Papelucho Detective” (Detective Papelucho), is a series of 12 books written between the 1940s and 1970s about an eight-year-old middle-class boy named Papelucho.
The stories, written in diary form, detail the daily life of Papelucho in Santiago, Chile and are based on the author’s own childhood experiences.
The books include: “Paper historian”, “Paper and the Martian” and “Paper, am I dix-leso?” (Password, am I dyslexic?).
These stories were unusual at the time they were written because, unlike other popular children’s stories, they were not moralistic. These books also have beautiful illustrations that help explain the story.
Because the stories are written from the perspective of an eight-year-old, the prose is simple and easy to understand. They’re also pretty short stories, so the books are definitely manageable reads. the stories are also about everyday life, so they are full of useful vocabulary.
If you really can’t get enough of the paper, you can also watch the animated movie “paper”, “paper and the Martian”, which was released in 2007.
21. “Alma and how she got the name from him”
“soul and how she got her name” is about a girl who learns about her heritage through her name.
and with a name like alma sofia hope josé pure candela, there is a lot of history to discover.
is a beautiful story about family and self-discovery. And since it’s a children’s book, the story is very accessible for beginners.
And what’s also wonderful about this book is the little note from the author at the end, where she shares the story of her own name and encourages you to share yours. This is the perfect opportunity to practice writing a bit using some of the familiar vocabulary and simple grammatical structures from the story.
22. “the light of lucia”
See Also: The Best Reusable Sticker Books for Toddlers – Toddler Gift Guide
This award-winning children’s story is another great one for beginners of Spanish.
“la luz de lucía” is the story of a little firefly that struggles to light up like the rest of his family. Night comes when it’s finally her time to shine, but something gets in her way.
Suitable for ages four to six, it’s a beautiful picture book full of woodland vocabulary and animal terms you don’t really come across as a novice. luciérnaga (firefly) doesn’t appear very often in beginner Spanish curricula, so you’d be surprised what else you’ll learn from this children’s book.
As for the unnamed creatures in the illustrations, feel free to look them up in a dictionary to expand your animal vocabulary!
23. “if you give a cookie to a mouse”
what happens when a mouse visits your house and asks for a cookie? naturally, you give him one.
What follows is a hilarious sequence of causes and effects in “si give a mouse a cookie” (if you give a mouse a cookie), and you soon discover that mice make surprisingly demanding guests.
Through the repetition of sentence structures, this charming classic teaches the conditional tense and will give you more confidence in “if” and “then” statements.
24. “with tango there are three”
this is an innovative lgbt picture book starring two proud penguin dads.
Based on a true story, “con tango son tres” takes place in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, where two male penguins fall in love, adopt an egg, and raise a penguin chick.
is a moving story that will awaken your curiosity about animal words in Spanish and family vocabulary. it also uses very simple sentences, which makes it perfect for intermediate to high level beginner students.
25. “caps for sale”
the book, “caps for sale”, tells the story of a street vendor who tries to sell caps.
the traveling salesman is quite unusual, however, in that he wears all of his hats on his head while selling them. one day he decides to take a nap in a tree, but while he sleeps a group of mischievous monkeys steal his hats and refuse to give them back.
a fun book to read, you will also learn the simple past tense with this book as well as descriptive adjectives.
26. “who sleeps away from home”
Anyone who’s ever felt anxious about their first sleepover will relate to this one.
in, “quigue sleeps away from home,” quigue (anger) is invited to sleep over at his best friend’s house, but he worries that his friend will make fun of him for sleeping with a stuffed animal. wear. Little does Anger know that his friend has his own secret.
Discover how to talk about your feelings and thoughts in Spanish with this charming story.
27. “the beautiful daughters of mufaro”
This is a beautiful African version of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.
mufaro has two daughters: the kind and considerate nyasha and the selfish and bad manyara. the king announces that he is looking for a wife and invites all eligible women in the land to visit him. Mufaro decides that his two daughters are excellent candidates for queen, but who will win the heart of the king?
There is a lot more written on “las bellas hijas de mufaro” (the beautiful daughters of mufaro), compared to the others on our list, making it more suitable for intermediate to advanced learners. expect more past tense, as well as conversational language in the form of dialogues.
28. “are you my mom?”
This has to be one of the most moving mother-son stories in any language.
“Are you my mom?” (Are you my mother?), is the delightful story of a newborn bird who opened his eyes when he did not see her mother and ventures out into the world looking for her. he encounters a parade of animals who object and quickly deny that they are related.
In order not to spoil the story, you’ll have to read the book to find out how the story ends.
This one is perfect for both young children and beginners of Spanish.
29. “rabbit and turtle go to school”
“Rabbit and Tortoise Go to School” tries to give a definitive answer to one of life’s most crucial questions: if a rabbit and a tortoise run to school, who do you think will? arrive first?
However, there is a catch. the tortoise travels by bus and the rabbit runs, but he chooses his own route. So who do you think will win? of course, the answer is obvious.
This is a great book for any beginning language reader to help you on your way to fluency in Spanish.
Spanish graphic novel
30. “gael and the web of lies: a graphic novel”
“gael and the web of lies: a graphic novel” (gael and the web of lies: a graphic novel), is one of three books in a wonderful graded reading series.
The other two books are called “Gael and the Shadows of Flight” and “Gael and the Art of Betrayal”.
This series uses a comic format and the illustrations are fabulous. Each book also offers reading comprehension exercises for students to test their reading skills.
The series is aimed at beginner level students, but anyone who enjoys comics will love reading about Gael and his friends (friends).
gael is an unlikely hero. He is a cat thief whose adventures take him to Madrid, Mallorca and other intriguing places.
Live an exciting life, one where Spanish learners will be swept away with far less trouble than it takes for our intrepid hero to plot a robbery!
I highly recommend this series, both for its strengths in language learning and for the stories themselves.
31. “enola holmes and the surprising case of lady alistair”
“enola holmes and the surprising case of lady alistair” is one of a series of graphic novels featuring the wildly imaginative enola holmes, who just so happens to be sherlock holmes’ younger sister!
The illustrations are gorgeous!
they are so detailed that, even if it takes some time, it is very likely that just looking at the drawings that accompany the text will quickly clear up any confusion.
The text in Spanish is attractive, but it remains in the classic style of a graphic novel, short and direct.
This volume features Enola Holmes in disguise and on the hunt for a missing teenager. she manages to stay one step ahead of her best known brother throughout the entire story.
This book is such an engaging read from cover to cover, and the engaging resources are a Spanish learner’s best friend!
32. “alive they took them away”
“They were taken away alive”, is the account of a factual event.
The graphic novel format of this story makes it accessible to both beginning readers and more advanced students. the passages are clear and concise, and the delivery is sequential: each event is told in a logical timeline.
This fascinating factual account involves Mexican police and 43 student teachers who disappeared from a university without a trace.
The novel relies on interviews and official documents to tell the story.
The story includes dangerous issues that affect Mexico and many other countries, such as drugs, corrupt politicians, and ordinary citizens who get caught in the crossfire of these issues.
This is a true life story you will never forget. As you read, be sure to take note of the colorful cultural references and any unfamiliar jargon.
33. “a wrinkle in time”
You’ve read the original book, you’ve seen the movie, and it’s about time you revisit the sci-fi tale in a different format, this time in a graphic novel in Spanish!
“A Wrinkle in Time” is a beloved childhood classic and perfect for beginners.
And even if you haven’t read the original text or seen the film, the vivid illustrations clearly show the Spanish translations, so you always have an idea of what’s really going on in each panel.
But if the plot, or certain words, are still unclear to you, try exploring each chapter before reading and writing any words you’re unsure about. then take the time to look up each word and write down each of its definitions. don’t forget to keep that list handy as you read the chapters.
and there you have it! our list of 33 Spanish books for beginners.
so, find a nice space to sit back and enjoy your new book(s) while you learn this beautiful language and progress your fluency.
Whether on a comfortable sofa, a hammock or just lying in bed, savor that feeling of satisfaction once you have read the entire book in Spanish and feel proud of yourself. It’s time well spent.
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
See Also: Philip Marlowe – Book Series In Order
