Ayudarme, por favor.

June 8, 2009 4:16 PM

Children's books in Spanish in Canada?

or, Estoy buscando libros para niños en español (probablemente en Toronto).

I am looking for some gifts for my 50%-Chilean godson (whose Chilean-born mother wants him to keep a foot in both languages). He is in Vancouver, I am in Ottawa and I will be in Toronto a few days before taking them to him. I figure Toronto is likely my best bet.

He is not quite two (but is spelling already), so I am looking for something in the beginner's range. If anyone can recommend a good store in any of these three cities (and ideally, a title or two) I'd be grateful.

I haven't lived in Toronto in years, but I vaguely recollect a Spanish-language bookstore somewhere around Bloor and Palmerston that used to have kids books displayed in the window. Still there? Figment of my imagination? Input is welcomed.

posted by ricochet biscuit to writing & language (9 comments total)

What about buying books on amazon's spanish site? I've purchased french books from amazon.fr, presumably the same exists for spanish-speaking readers.
posted by semacd at 4:39 PM on June 8

The bookstore near Bloor and Palmerston was still there when I was last in Toronto, last August. It's BolisBooks, 609 Bloor Street West.

There's also the Spanish Centre, near Yonge and Bloor.
posted by greatgefilte at 4:40 PM on June 8

Have you tried contacting Girol Books in Ottawa? From their website, it appears they're mainly a distributor, but that they are also open to the public and carry children's books.
posted by teg at 4:51 PM on June 8

If you are OK with waiting until you are in Vancouver to buy the books, you could check out Sophia Books. They have a nice selection of kids' books in different languages, including Spanish, and the staff there are very helpful.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:44 PM on June 8

The International Children's Digital Library might be useful.
posted by ecsh at 5:49 PM on June 8

2nd-ing Girol Books. They are a full-fledged bookstore and carry quite a good selection of childrens' books if I remember (since they cater to Spanish learners their childrens' section is inevitably quite large).
posted by hiteleven at 6:47 PM on June 8

Thanks, all. Girol is maybe six blocks from me and while I have doubtless walked past it, I have never noticed it.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:32 AM on June 9

Banana Boat in Kensington Market had what appeared to me, as a pretty good Spanish Children's book section on my visit two weeks ago.
posted by wannabehippie at 2:06 PM on June 9

argh, Blue Banana, not Banana Boat! They list Spanish books on their products page.
posted by wannabehippie at 2:08 PM on June 9