How to Create your Own Book for Bilingual or Multilingual Children?

This task is not always easy. Especially when the country where the language is spoken is far from the country where we live, or when the language spoken is mastered by a small group of people and does not have many literary resources, etc. That is why here are some ideas on how you can create your own individual and personal books as a family.

First, we must plan the story, what it will be about, who the protagonists and antagonists will be, where they live, what they do, what they look like, and so on. Then we think of a problem, almost always a task or a mission to be completed. Next, we must imagine what challenges or obstacles our characters will face on their journey to complete their mission; this is followed by the climax or high point of the story, it is the moment that keeps us on the edge of our seats just before the resolution. And finally, the ending: I prefer happy endings , but it is up to you how you end the story. You can also think of an open ending and develop it into a series, for example.

If you think you are not creative and you can't think of anything, talk to your children and think together about a topic and the points mentioned above. I guarantee you that you will be surprised by the imagination and creativity of your little ones. If your children cannot yet speak, observe what their favorite objects are (eg toys, food, eating utensils, a blanket, etc.) and write a short story about it. Remember that there are no bad stories, your children will always be fascinated to hear your stories and when they get older you can invent and create stories together.

Once you have found all the elements of your story and the common thread, write the text in the language of your choice or in two or three languages. Once you have all the text blocks ready, take some blank sheets of paper (I prefer letter paper) and fold them in half. Place a text block on each sheet, leaving space for the illustration. If you have several languages ​​of a story, place the blocks together next to the illustration. If you need more space, you can put the languages ​​on one side and the illustration on the opposite side. Behind the "cover" or on the first page, you should put the title of the book, the name of the author(s), the translator (if there is one), the illustrator(s) and the date of "printing" or completion.

Read each page with your child and, if your child is able, let them illustrate the book as they wish. If your child is too young for this, use photos, cut-outs or draw pictures yourself.

Fasten the pages of the book together in any way you can (staple, glue, sew, whatever) so that they don't get lost. Now draw the front and, if you want, the back too, and that's it - congratulations! You've published your first book as a family!

This is a fun activity that not only strengthens family bonds, but also encourages reading in all the languages ​​you speak at home or that your child is learning. The themes and variety of stories are limitless. Share with us on our social networks the children's books you have created using this guide. We love to see them and are sure they will inspire many other multilingual families around the globe.

We'll read each other soon! 😉