Reading, like any other skill, improves with practice. When it comes to reading in the minority language motivation is key.
Motivating Kids to Read in the Minority Language
Motivation is important when reading in general, but when you have a child who speaks two languages one language is always stronger and reading in the second language can be more difficult for children so it’s important to find ways to motivate them. Why would they choose a book in the minority language or the language they are less dominant in? Because that book is special!
We have read books in Spanish at home to both of our children from the day they where born and both kids still have to choose at least one book in Spanish for our bedtime reading routine.
My daughter learned to read in English at school and like most bilingual children she was able to transfer her reading skills and can read in Spanish as well. She has grown up to love reading and books, just like me. But the amount of time she reads in Spanish on her own has decreased as homework and extracurricular activities take up more and more of her time. Because of this it is important that she is motivated to read in Spanish and sees it as something fun and inviting.
I am always looking for books in Spanish that on her preferred subjects and favorite characters and we have a nice collection at home already. She likes books about animals, Dora, Curious George and the Disney characters but nothing compares to her new book: “Ariane y La Sirenita Brillante” (personalized mermaid book ) from Flattenme because in this book she is the main character of the story!
FlattenMe Books
Award-winning Flattenme personalized books and gifts magically transform your star into a superhero, mermaid, pirate and more. Your child’s face and name are used throughout the story.
Just send one picture of your child and choose one of the 8 stories available including titles for younger and older children on subjects that range from potty training to mermaids and fairies. Most of the books are available in 9 different languages including Spanish, French, German and Swedish among others.
There are many personalized books out there but I have never seen anything like the Flattenme books. The illustrations are gorgeous, the stories are well written, interesting and fun and the quality of the book and work done to incorporate your child’s picture into the illustrations is superb. My husband is a graphic designer who specializes in image retouching and even he was impressed.
I have had my eye on Flattenme books for a couple of years now, ever since Oprah recommended it on her gift guide. But I try to buy books only in Spanish so I was thrilled when I discovered that Flattenme has many of their titles available in other languages including Spanish ! ¡Fantástico!
We sent my little girl’s picture and picked the GlitterGills story featuring a mermaid’s adventures under the sea (we knew she would love that!) . 8 x 10 custom keepsake-quality custom storybook. Child’s name and face are featured throughout story. A week later we received the book and I have to say both my husband and I where so excited we couldn’t wait for my little girl to come back from school to show it to her.
Cover and inside pages of “Ariane y La Sirenita Brillante” personalized book in Spanish by Flattenme.
When she saw the book she couldn’t believe it. She was jumping up and down with excitement and immediately started reading it. Since we got it she reads “Ariane y La Sirenita Brillante” on her own at least once a day and I am so happy that she is so motivated to read in Spanish.
The book was such a hit that we had to get one for my 5 year old, he picked a book about wood fairies because he would love to have wings and be able to fly. Now both of my children have their own book and I have tow invaluable keepsakes that I will hold on to and cherish long after they have outgrown them. Now that I think of it I might have to get copies of both of these so I can keep one and they can take one to read to their kids.
Cover and inside pages of “El Rey Seta del Martes” personalized book in Spanish by Flattenme.
Flattenme also has personalized T-shirt, posters, invitations, water bottles and many other products, so head on to their website and take a look. You can like Flattenme on Facebook or follow them on twitter to learn more about their products and promotions.
Check out how Flattenme works with your child’s picture to create a magical personalized gift.
Giveaway!
Get a beautiful, award winning, personalized book from Flattenme where your child is the hero. You can pick from many different titles and choose your language too. They has books available in 9 different languages including English, Spanish, French and German.
Giveaway open to US residents 18 and older. To enter follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a personalized copy of “La Sirenita Brillante” to review but was not financially compensated in any way. All opinions expressed here are honest and my own and are based on my observations. This post may contain affiliate links.
35 comments
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monica young
March 11, 2013 at 10:37 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Que bonita y buena idea. Con toda seguridad que este tipo de libros motivaran a los ninos a leer mas
Paula - Growing Up Bilingual
March 11, 2013 at 1:59 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Mi hija lo lee todos los dias.
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Savannah miller
March 11, 2013 at 10:43 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I like the ABC’s and 123′s book
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Nickida
March 11, 2013 at 11:04 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Oh this is a very cool idea. I love personalized books.
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Paula - Growing Up Bilingual
March 11, 2013 at 1:53 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Me too, Nickida. And these are by far the best ones I’ve ever seen. Graphics are awesome and stories are pretty cool too.
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Sofia - Living La Vida Blogging
March 11, 2013 at 12:41 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I am very impressed wit the high quality graphics of the books. I am positive that mi little girl would love to see herself as part of the story. These books take story telling to a whole new level. Love them and will absolutely try them out. Thank you Paula for sharing this with us, I had no idea.
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Paula - Growing Up Bilingual
March 11, 2013 at 1:54 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
They are fantastic! My kids have lots of books and these ones are my favorite.
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Sofia - Living La Vida Blogging
March 11, 2013 at 12:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My favorite book is SillyBug because the font is large and simple to read so that my 4 yrl old would easily follow the story and try to read it herself.
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Anna at Mama Writes
March 11, 2013 at 12:59 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My daughter is into mermaids now, so the mermaid book would be perfect!!
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Paula - Growing Up Bilingual
March 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
The mermaid one is really beautiful, I’m sure she’d love it!
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Susan
March 11, 2013 at 1:31 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Fabulous idea! We are about to move to the other side of the world to support our children’s bilingual-ness. I need two of these books – one for each child!
Paula - Growing Up Bilingual
March 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Now that is pretty awesome, wish we could do that! After we got the mermaid one for my daughter I just had to get one for my son too. These will be at the top of my gift giving list for nephews and nices as well.
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Karina Fernández
March 11, 2013 at 2:42 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My daughter loved reading in Spanish when she was little. My son was a different story. I always bought them Spanish books for the home library. I would choose Pippa in Glittergills. Gracias por el giveaway!
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Maybelline @ Naturalmente Mamá
March 11, 2013 at 5:47 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This is pretty AWESOME! I would love to give to my son the Pirates Book!
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Natalia
March 11, 2013 at 7:35 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love the idea of creating your own book! Pretty cool giveaway!
Pilar
March 11, 2013 at 8:11 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Es que mi hija de 8 se moriría de felicidad con ese libro de sirenita. Que hermoso!
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Rachel Young
March 11, 2013 at 8:36 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This really makes me wish wish I had done better in Spanish in school. lol It would be so nice to be able to teach my children while they are young!
Jennifer Williams
March 11, 2013 at 9:07 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love the Pirates book. I would love to teach my children a second language, never thought about reading in the second language, thank you for the great tip.
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Lennie
March 11, 2013 at 10:20 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Me encantaron los productos. Los libros están espectaculares. Estoy segura de que es un regalo que los niños atesorarán.
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Pam
March 11, 2013 at 10:36 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
These look like beautiful books. Would make great gifts!
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Debra Elliott
March 12, 2013 at 9:31 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you for sharing. This is a great idea!
Liberty Boblett
March 12, 2013 at 11:52 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love the Fairy Book! My daughter would absolutely love this!
Kelly R
March 12, 2013 at 2:53 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Love this idea. I love personalized things. Great review..
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Asha Pena
March 12, 2013 at 11:04 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
we like the Pirates
Gale
March 14, 2013 at 3:37 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I like the Silly Bug book best!
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Kelli
March 14, 2013 at 7:38 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
These look wonderful! Thanks for telling me about.
Alisha Kostiuk
March 14, 2013 at 7:55 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My favorite is the Pirate book.
MamiCool
March 20, 2013 at 9:36 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I would love to see AbiCool y la Sirenita! This is a great idea to have a personalized book like that and better yet, in Spanish.
Patricia
March 20, 2013 at 9:47 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This is so cool. My girl would love the Fairy book.
natali alvarez
March 22, 2013 at 2:04 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
MY FAVORITE IS GlitterGills FOR MY BABY NATALY ESTEFANY, THANKS FOR THE OPORTUNITY.
nany de paz natali alvarez
March 22, 2013 at 3:08 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
forget to mention that my name is
Natali Alvarez, but in raflecopter enter with my facebook name,
nany de paz.
olvide comentar que mi nombre es natali alvarez, pero en el raflecopter ingrese con mi nombre de facebook,
nany de paz. gracias
Jessica Harlow
March 25, 2013 at 7:00 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My favorite book is the ABC & 123!
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Erinn S
March 25, 2013 at 8:26 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Silly Bug looks cute
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SABRINA DIX
March 25, 2013 at 8:44 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I really like these books…so cute!
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Kathleen Kennedy-Leon
March 25, 2013 at 10:54 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
The ABC’s and 123 books