Spanish Winter Reading Challenge

Winter break is almost here. That means it is time for the Spanish Winter Reading Challenge! Ideally, children read and hear Spanish over break. Consistent exposure is important, and kids can lose ground in a few weeks. Reading, or being read to, in Spanish keeps kids engaged and learning. Scholastic has suggestions for keeping up other academic skills over winter break. Take our Spanish Winter Reading Challenge and start the new year off reading en español!

Take the Spanish Winter Reading Challenge

Print a bingo-style reading card for each child. It describes places and ways to read.
Kids use bingo scoring to set a goal. They can read to complete a row, a column, the four corners or black out the card.
Kids read a book in Spanish following the instructions in one of the squares. They color or cross off the square when they finish the book.
Children who are reading longer books, can choose a number of minutes or pages to read for each square.

Choosing Books for the Winter Reading Challenge

Kids will need your help to find books to read in Spanish. We have put together a list of titles to get you started. Many of the books can be found in libraries or you can order them online. We will also be sharing links to online and printable books throughout the month.

Download the book list and the Spanish Winter Reading Challenge bingo card below.

Libraries often have translations of easy picture book favorites, such as titles by Eric Carle, Bill Martin Jr. and Sandra Boynton. The level of these books is appropriate for Spanish learners. Kids are familiar with the stories and that increases comprehension and confidence. Even simple stories reinforce verb forms and agreement. Spanish learners need this exposure!

Consider choosing books for early readers as read-alouds as well as for kids who are reading independently. These books have short sentences, minimal description and illustrations to support the text. We have included several books from the Green Light Readers series and other early readers on the book list.

Of course, there are many beautiful Spanish language and bilingual picture books. You will find a few of our favorite titles on the book list. Some are well-known stories and others books are new this year. Many of the titles are available in local libraries or you can purchase them online. Most are pictures books in Spanish, although we have included a few texts that integrate Spanish and English. You can find an online version of the book list below.

The language in picture books is not necessarily easy. Older children will learn from books for younger children. Help kids use the illustrations to understand the story.

Re-reading is excellent language practice. Reading a favorite book over and over for the Spanish Winter Reading Challenge is fine!

It is sometimes hard to determine the level of a book from a description online or even flipping through it at a library. If you end up with a book that is too difficult, don’t despair! Look at the pictures with your child and tell the story in simple words.

Download the winter reading challenge bingo card.

Download the winter book list.

You can find our more complete list of Spanish books for kids here.

Disclosure: This online version of the book list contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, Spanish Playground receives a small commission.