Let's Be Friends / Seamos Amigos: In English and Spanish / En Ingles Y Español

Hi! Hola! A friendship story in English and Spanish! Un cuento de amistad en inglés y español!

Hi. / Hola.
My name is Joe. / Mi nombre es José.
Let's paint. / Pintemos.

Two boys, an English speaker and a Spanish speaker, meet at school. They paint together and learn about colors. In the end, they declare, Let's be friends. / Seamos amigos.

Rene Colato Lainez, a teacher in a bilingual kindergarten classroom, has crafted an ingenious story that authentically and naturally uses conversation to introduce children to English and Spanish. The fun friendship story engages children, while simple words, short sentences, and a glossary reinforce learning.

Nomar Perez, illustrator of best-selling children's books as well as greeting cards, has a bright, bold, colorful, kid-pleasing style that invites readers to befriend the characters in this book.

Perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first and second graders who are learning to speak or read English and Spanish. A delightful reading experience for bilingual families.

Winner of an International Latino Book Awards Gold Medal - Best Children's Fiction Picture Book - Bilingual
Named to the Tejas Star Reading List
International Latino Book Award Gold Medal
Rising Star Award from Empowering Latino Futures


Author: René Colato Laínez
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 12/14/2021
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.70w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823445059
Language: Spanish
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2021
Booklist 02/01/2022 pg. 58
School Library Journal 02/01/2022 pg. 67

About the Author
René Colato Laínez is the author of several bilingual picture books, including Senor Pancho Had a Rancho, Vamonos! Let's Go!, and Playing Lotería, which was nominated for the Tejas Star Book Award - the K-6 bilingual counterpart to the Texas Bluebonnet Award. He lives in California, where he teaches a bilingual kindergarten class. Through his work as both an author and an educator, he hopes to help all children develop positive self-images.

Nomar Perez grew up in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where an amazing array of colors, sounds, and flavors influenced his artistic life. He is the illustrator of two 2017 Amazon Best Sellers: All Day Long, God Loves Me and Everywhere I Go, God is With Me. He is also a staff artist at American Greetings. Nomar currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio.