by April Robins
Member since:
October 15, 2007

Do you see a need for childrens books dedicated to the Spanish Language in the US?

November 02, 2007 01:28 PM EDT (Updated: November 02, 2007 03:33 PM EDT)
views: 62 | rating: 10/10 (5 votes) | comments: 25

I am an author of Children’s Picture Books.  I am trying to understand what others think about bilingual books.  I have a Spanish version, soon to be released, of Where is My Bennie?.  Yes, these books are not truly bilingual.  You have to have both books side by side to compare the two languages.

Do you see a need for children’s books dedicated to the Spanish Language in the United States of America?  Living in Texas, I see such a need; but I really would appreciate your opinion.

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Comments: 25

Kori J. Nov 2, 2007, 1:42pm EDT
Nope; only because I believe that if they live here, they should read and speak English. I get mad when I see products on store shelves in both Spanish and English! I think it is great for people to celebrate their culture, and think if they want to speak Spanish or Japanese or Greek in their home in order to preserve their sense of cultural identity and family, then they absolutely are doing the best thing. However, the trend that I see with Hispanic is that they seem to believe it is their right to have everything provided in their language instead if learning to read and speak English just like every other American. Hm. Was that too much info? : )
April Robins Nov 2, 2007, 1:50pm EDT
Kori,

That is why I asked this question. I wanted the real opinion of others. The true purpose of my producing two versions of Where is My Bennie? was to help students learn either language.

Thanks you very much for taking the time to comment.
no.. full immersion!
April Robins Nov 2, 2007, 3:18pm EDT
Lloyd,

Thanks for commenting.

April
Erin S. Nov 2, 2007, 5:36pm EDT
I disagree with your other commenters, April. I love the idea of teaching English-speaking children to appreciate and understand other languages. I think there is also a place for bilingual literature for Spanish-speaking children.

I live in Northern Indiana, just about as far from the border as can be, and there is a large Spanish-speaking population here. I think having things in two languages (or "en dos lenguas," if you prefer) can only help, not hurt.
April Robins Nov 2, 2007, 5:38pm EDT
Erin,

I agree.

April
MJ F. Nov 2, 2007, 5:50pm EDT
April, it has been proven that the more languages a child learns, the better his or her brain works. I think Americans are the only people I know who are proudly, even militantly, unilingual. I am not advocating for official bilingualism, and I do think it is ridiculous that someone can be born and raised here not speaking English. But bilingual books are of great benefit to people trying to learn either language, and even unilingual children's books are great for kids (or adults!) to learn another language.

Like it or not, America is a part of a global economy, and speaking English only will just be a handicap.

But perhaps I have a slightly different perspective. Apres tout, je suis canadienne.
April Robins Nov 2, 2007, 6:14pm EDT
MJ F.

I have one book, soon to be released in English, that I would like to translate into Spanish, French and German since my books are sold internationally. It is a cute little picture book about the springtime called Lovely Little Lamb.

Back to the initial question about Spanish language books being available in the US, I appreciate your thoughts.

April
Kori J. Nov 2, 2007, 6:48pm EDT
I agree that it is not a bad thing to know more than one language, as I speak two in addition to English (one of them actually being Spanish, thanks you!) and am militantly american, LOL. However, if that is the case,than ALL books should be released in other languages, not just Spanish. I believe that a person can order books in foreign languages online, which is a great opportunity, and we also have a small section of foreign language children's books in our local library. I just think that by catering to those of the hispanic race is part of what has given them a sense of entitlement, and I am not talking AT ALL about legal immigrants or people who are working on legal status.
April Robins Nov 3, 2007, 12:27pm EDT
Kori, I can't find many websites offering Children's Picture Books in the Spanish Language? Even amazon.com has a limitted listing.

Thanks - April
Marilyn M. Nov 4, 2007, 1:35pm EST
I lived in TX and in FL. Personally, I think that Hispanic children would more benefit from having books written in English in their homes. However, in homes where the adults speak mostly Spanish, it might be difficult finding someone to read to them, which would be a tradgey.

You know what I think would be great? Picture books for kids that show 3 or 4 languages - with a button that you can push that would read/pronounce the words properly.

Kids in the U.S. think that English is all there is. Wouldn't it be great if our kids could learn even a few phrases in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese? To me, that would be the ideal.
April Robins Nov 4, 2007, 5:33pm EST
Marilyn, I would like to include a disk with my book read in both languages. But that is not possible at this time, maybe later.
Jo C. Nov 4, 2007, 5:45pm EST
As the adoptive parent of a child who came to us knowing only a few words of English (he was about 5), I think that total immersion is the way to go. We tried to keep him bilingual but it just wasn't working, especially since we couldn't speak his native language well enough to keep him at age level as he grew older.

When he had to switch languages and couldn't fall back on his first language, he learned English much more quickly.
April Robins Nov 4, 2007, 6:11pm EST
Jane, my grandson was adopted from Russia when he was 2. He now even has a Texas accent. We all wish that he could remember a few Russian words, but he doesn't. He does speak a little Spanish.
Stacey "Yeah, I Said It" H. Nov 4, 2007, 6:39pm EST
Great question, April, but with the current bias against people of Latin descent we're currently experiencing in America, I don't think now is the time, but it's most definitely needed.

I like what Erin had to say about the issue, she pretty much said what I was thinking. I'd like to add that even though people choose to come to this country for the opportunities that we offer, and yes, you should adopt English as your primary language as far as business is concerned, but one must keep their language alive in order not to lose their heritage...language is that connection to what they've left behind. I think bilingual books are a wonderful idea and kudos to you for attempting to break into the market. Good luck!
April Robins Nov 4, 2007, 7:16pm EST
Stacey, thanks. I look at the statistics and see that few are going after the Spanish Children's Book market. I'll keep you posted on how my efforts turn out. I will have ten books published by next summer. So I expect one or two of them to lag behind. My biggest fear right now is in making sure that the translation is true. I have professional people working that issue. Unfortunately, I don't read or write Spanish. I wish I did. Maybe I can learn some words through my books.
Juan J Martinez Nov 5, 2007, 1:34pm EST
"However, the trend that I see with Hispanic is that they seem to believe it is their right to have everything provided in their language instead if learning to read and speak English just like every other American."

I'm Hispanic and I have never demanded anyone to speak Spanish. I speak English and Spanish fluently and I would never allow anyone to shame or threaten me into not using and speaking, which every language I wish to in public.

April my fellow Texan, as far your question is concern, there is a need for more children books in Spanish. The need for acceptance is no more needed than at a young age and if a book printed in Spanish allows and helps children achieve that goal, than so much the better.
April Robins Nov 5, 2007, 1:59pm EST
Juan, right or wrong I have two goals in translating this book to Spanish. One is for a side by side comparison for a student of either language. The other goal, is to give a mother or father who has not quite grasped the English language the chance to read a story to their child. Thanks so much for your thoughts.
Juan J Martinez Nov 5, 2007, 4:17pm EST
April, that is a worthwhile idea and reason. Sometimes, an immigrant's inability to read or write English is not a conscious choice, but it is due to their inability to comprehend or learn another language.

Take for instance our own children, more and more are loosing the ability to read and comprehend America's so called true language. Even now, I come across, American citizens who have a hard time communicating in their own mother tongue. So to discard, band or censor books in languages other then English, is a throw back to Germany's Nazi era and our very own red scare in the 50s.
Jan S. Nov 5, 2007, 7:28pm EST
I like the idea of helping kids learn another language by reading a story book. Young children learn so quickly. They're still eager, energetic and blessedly unprejudiced. Parents for whom English is a second language will benefit, learning with their kids. What a great way to bond. Go for it, April!
April Robins Nov 5, 2007, 9:32pm EST
Jan, thanks. I am going to give it a good try.
JanDistefano.com check out my website Nov 11, 2007, 10:15am EST
My opinion is YES :) And your idea of a companion text is fabulous. The best reason for having a Spanish version is the opportunity for a Spanish speaking mother to read to her child. Imagine a bedtime where the child must read to the parent. The world is always complaining about the lack of family stability but does not want to support one small way to help maintain a strong familia relationship. My father's parents came here from Italy and my grandmother could speak English but she was never comfortable with it. Whenever she phoned my father would say, "Ma, speak English." He never tought us (his children) to speak Italian and I have always been sorry.

I would like to do my books in another language, but they are in rhyme. I wonder if that could be worked out :)
April Robins Nov 12, 2007, 11:30pm EST
Jan,

I love your opinion.
nicole P. Dec 18, 2007, 9:42am EST
Congratulations! I wish that there were more books that were bilingual. I love the opportunity to teach my daughter other languages. It will teach her at a small age different cultures and will broaden her knowledge. I am hoping that books will be her window to the world, as I write in each book when I give them to her. This will allow her to appreciate other cultures and hopefully allow her to dream. I am hoping that her and I will travel some day to different countries and bilingual books will be a tool in toolbox for life.
April Robins Dec 27, 2007, 12:07am EST
I wanted to add an update on my Spanish version of Where is My Bennie? The book has been released by AuthorHouse and will be available at amazon.com shortly. Thanks for everyone's input.

April

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