Whether intended for recreational reading or for focused literacy instruction for linguistically diverse learners, these series will help children explore a range of curiosities, from lesser-known spooky animals and mysteries of the human body to the origins of ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate, and more. These books offer a place to start as early readers expand their awareness and get excited about exploring their world. Keeping consistent with recent trends, these books are well translated and, in most cases, are available in both English and Spanish editions, offering libraries more flexibility and value. At a time when dreaming and exploring couldn’t be more important, these series will inspire readers, educators, and caregivers to dream big, think critically, and explore beyond their library or classroom.

Elementary

Brandle, Marie. Los perros de búsqueda y rescate (Search and Rescue Dogs). ISBN 9781636904122.
––––. Los perros de servicio (Service Dogs). ISBN 9781636904153.
––––. Los perros militares (Military Dogs). ISBN 9781636904184.
––––. Los perros pastores (Herding Dogs). ISBN 9781636904214.
ea vol: 24p. (Los trabajos de los perros/Dogs on Duty). Jump!/Bullfrog Bks. Jan. 2022. Tr $26.99.
K-Gr 2 –Repetition, early words, and simple narrative structure are major strengths in this series about the many service functions performed by working dogs. Herding dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and service dogs are profiled in these Spanish/English books for early readers who are practicing their literacy skills in both languages. High-quality visuals display these working dogs in action as they herd cattle, assist the U.S. military, and help people who experience disabilities, and feature short captions to reinforce new ideas. Consistent with this publisher’s previous releases, text, pictures, and blocks of color are well-balanced on each page, with plenty of space around letters and words to ensure comprehension. Short, simple sentences make this series a great option for readers who are starting to read aloud ­independently, while helping readers to build a bilingual vocabulary. VERDICT This simple series is an early literacy standout for public and school library collections.

Hansen, Grace. Cera del oído (Earwax). ISBN 9781098260804.
––––. Eructos (Burps). ISBN 9781098260798.
––––. Flatulencias (Farts). ISBN 9781098260828.
––––. Lagañas (Eye Gunk). ISBN 9781098260811.
––––. Mucosidades (Boogers and Snot). ISBN 9781098260781.
––––. Sudor (Sweat). ISBN 9781098260835.
ea vol: Tr by Maria Puchol. 24p. (La ciencia básica: las funciones físicas del cuerpo). Abdo/Abdo Kids. Jan. 2022. Tr $31.36.
K-Gr 3 –Why do we have earwax? What’s the purpose of sweat? Why do we get those little crusty things in the corners of our eyes while we sleep? This series about gross body functions answers these questions and more by covering basic concepts in anatomy, physiology, and body systems. Burping, flatulence, earwax, nasal mucus, eye mucus, and sweat are covered in these books that will nourish curious minds. Large, full-color photographs show close ups of the concepts covered in the text, with short, simple sentences complemented by basic diagrams and captions alternating on each page. Readers can pore over close ups of what earwax looks like inside an ear, a microscopic view of an eye booger, or a diagram of what a hair follicle looks like beneath the skin’s surface. Each book includes a summary of concepts covered in each book, as well as a glossary and index, to ensure comprehension. VERDICT This well-translated ­series, which is also available in English, would make a great addition to school libraries or elementary science classroom libraries.

Lindeen, Mary. Sentirse alegre. ISBN 9781684507979.
––––. Sentirse emocionado. ISBN 9781684507986.
––––. Sentirse enojado. ISBN 9781684508006.
––––. Sentirse solo. ISBN 9781684507962.
––––. Sentirse temeroso. ISBN 9781684508013.
––––. Sentirse tímido. ISBN 9781684507948.
––––. Sentirse triste. ISBN 9781684507955.
––––. Sentirse valiente. ISBN 9781684507993.
ea vol: 32p. (Beginning-to-Read Sentimientos importantes/Big Feelings). Norwood House. Jan. 2022. Tr $25.27.
Gr 2-4 –What does it feel like to be happy, angry, worried, or sad? Readers will identify with a range of emotions and experiences in this Spanish series about big feelings. Emotions are defined and explained using examples of common symptoms and situations associated with each one. Photographs accurately capture what someone might look like or do when they feel happy, sad, angry, proud, and more. Practical suggestions for how to effectively manage difficult feelings are offered, such as talking about worries with trusted adults, asking for help, reading a ­favorite book, or doing a favorite activity. Some pages feature both text and pictures; others only have one or the other, making this series ideal for the earliest readers. The information presented in these books is simple, making it a great place to start for caregivers and kids who might be struggling, and diversity is represented appropriately. VERDICT These books provide essential social-emotional support to readers in the early elementary grades.

Nelson, Robin. La historia de la mantequilla de maní (The Story of Peanut Butter): Todo comienza con maní es (It Starts with Peanuts). ISBN 9781728441979.
––––. La historia de la miel (The Story of Honey): Todo comienza con una flor (It Starts with a Flower). ISBN 9781728441948.
––––. La historia de un bate de beisbol (The Story of a Baseball Bat): Todo comienza con madera (It Starts with Wood). ISBN 9781728441870.
––––. La historia de un crayón (The Story of a Crayon): Todo comienza con cera (It Starts with Wax). ISBN 9781728441894.
––––. La historia del chocolate (The Story of Chocolate): Todo comienza con granos de cacao (It Starts with Cocoa Beans). ISBN 9781728441924.
––––. La historia del maíz (The Story of Corn): Todo comienza con una semilla (It Starts with a Seed). ISBN 9781728441931.
Owings, Lisa. La historia de la sal (The Story of Salt): Todo comienza con el mar (It Starts with the Sea). ISBN 9781728441986.
Taus-Bolstad, Stacy. La historia de la leche (The Story of Milk): Todo comienza con césped (It Starts with Grass). ISBN 9781728441962.
––––. La historia de una manzana (The Story of an Apple): Todo comienza con una semilla (It Starts with a Seed). ISBN 9781728441917.
––––. La historia del helado (The Story of Ice Cream): Todo comienza con leche (It Starts with Milk). ISBN 9781728441955.
ZEMLICKA, Shannon. La historia de una mariposa (The Story of a Butterfly): Todo comienza con una oruga (It Starts with a Caterpillar). ISBN 9781728441887.
––––. La historia de una rana (The Story of a Frog): Todo comienza con un renacuajo (It Starts with a Tadpole). ISBN 9781728441900.
ea vol: 24p. (Paso a paso/Step by Step). Lerner. Jan. 2022. Tr $26.65.
PreS-Gr 2 –The history of several familiar items is covered in this Spanish series that is ideal for early readers. Fascinating facts about milk, salt, apples, chocolate, ice cream, peanut butter, and more are shared through simple sentences and full-color photographs that make familiar concepts easy to identify. Each book begins with a short history of the origins of the item or concept, followed by the step-by-step process of how each item is made for everyday use. Readers will learn new concepts thanks to appropriately spaced text and short statements that are limited to one to two sentences per page. These books are bright, colorful, and will capture the interest and attention of a wide variety of readers. VERDICT Great for independent reading or sharing aloud in a group, this series is an excellent addition to any early literacy collection.

Roesser, Marie. Veo veo colores (I Spy Colors). ISBN 9781538267837.
––––. Veo veo dinero (I Spy Money). ISBN 9781538267912.
––––. Veo veo figuras (I Spy Shapes). ISBN 9781538267998.
––––. Veo veo números (I Spy Numbers). ISBN 9781538267950.
––––. Veo veo tamaños (I Spy Sizes). ISBN 9781538268032.

Shea, Therese M. Veo veo letras (I Spy Letters). ISBN 9781538267875.
ea vol: 24p. (¡Veo veo!/Eye Spy!). Rosen/Gareth Stevens. Jan. 2022. Tr $22.60.
PreS-Gr 1 –This popular series makes a comeback, now available in both English and Spanish. Readers and their friends or caregivers will have a blast playing a game of veo, veo (I spy) with this series, which features ­familiar images of common items like flowers, balloons, letters, numbers, buttons, plates, crackers, and more. Repetition of words, colors, and imagery will inspire caregivers to dig deeper and ask follow-up questions, like “What else do you see?” Words and pictures are simple enough for even early readers to take their turn in leading the game. Text and pictures are surrounded by white background, making these books truly ideal for the earliest readers, and present endless possibilities for reading aloud in pairs or in a group. VERDICT These versatile books are a playful addition to any early literacy collection, but would be especially suited to preschool classrooms with bilingual children, or daycares serving children who speak either or both languages.

Through the pandemic, children, educators, and caregivers have lived with many disruptions to their daily lives. Norwood’s “Sentimientos importantes/Big Feelings” helps early and emerging readers identify and process sometimes difficult emotions with the help of trusted adults, at a time when they might need it the most. For more advanced readers, Abdo’s “La ciencia basica - las funciones fisicas del cuerpo” offers a much-needed refresh of human biology information for diverse learners. These series are appealing and accessible for early readers yet nuanced enough to challenge and excite more advanced readers who are eager to learn as much as they can.