We love reading! Do you? Reading immerses us in interesting amazing worlds full of adventure, laughter, tears and hope. By reading, children effectively build their vocabulary. With proper practice, it can easily be transferred to active vocabulary. Books improve memory and imagination.
This Sunday we're going to dedicate a list of the best books for bilingual children. But first, a little theory!
Effective reading techniques for Russian language acquisition
Before proceeding to the list, we suggest you pay your attention to effective ways of reading for children. After all, it is important for us not just to run through the text, but also to learn the spelling of new words.
- Reading aloud
Reading aloud is the main principle of teaching your child to read books. It is important that books should be interesting and understandable to your child. Even if he or she has mastered the Russian language at an average level, the book should still contain understandable syntax and words.
- For children under 6 years of age, poetry works are better suited for them
They are easy to digest. It is easier for children under 6 years old to find interesting books.
- Picture books
For bilingual children, for whom Russian is not their native language, it is easier to read picture books. For example, a teenager, because of his age, will not be interested in reading books with lots of pictures. And this is where picture books come to the rescue. Large texts are compensated by illustrations for the development of imagination and better mastery of what is read.
- Don't emphasize only native Russian literature
There are books in Russian in the USA and in any other country. You should not give preference only to Russian writers. There are many wonderful translations of world children's classics. From "Alice in Wonderland" to "Robinson Crusoe".
A selection of the best books for bilingual reading
Books for toddlers
- "Peep," Julia Lugovskaya.
A collection of very small books with just one word per page. It will help you build up your vocabulary. - "Whose house?", "Home for Foxes", "One, two, three, freeze", Tatiana Russita.
A collection of books broken down by syllables.
Books for primary school age children
- "Kitten Schmuck," Scott Robson.
A large series of books about Shmyak the kitten. Suitable for children up to 8 years old who have a basic knowledge of the Russian language. - "Dandelions for Mom," Natalia Evdokimova.
Suitable for reading to children from 5 to 7 years old. A short story for independent reading.
Books for bilingual children of middle school age
- "Tim and the Brave Captain," Edward Ardizzon.
The story of the boy Tim in five volumes. He runs away from home in an attempt to become a sailor. In the course of the story he learns the profession, pranks and makes new friends. Suitable for bilinguals ages 9 to 12. - "Cowardly Clyde," Bill Peet.
This is not so much a book about one hero, but a whole anatomy of stories about four different heroes. All books by writer and illustrator Bill Peet are unified by a single art style. Interesting to read to kids ages 10 to 13.
Books for bilingual children who speak Russian confidently
- "The Adventures of the Girl Detective," Holly Webb.
The action in the book is set in London of Queen Victoria's time. A girl named Maisie Hitchins wants very much to become a popular detective. The stories are accompanied by stunning illustrations by artist Marion Lindsay. - "Stories from the Box," Pauline Sorel.
Short tales about life in Russia and abroad.
We foster a love of reading in Russian at Palme School, an online school for bilingual children. In our online lessons, children learn Russian in a fun and interesting way. You can try your first free lesson by leaving your contact details on the website in the form below. We will contact you as soon as possible in a way that is convenient for you!
