Ten little Fingers/ Tengo Diez Deditos
Ten little Fingers/ Tengo Diez Deditos by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury is simple yet endearing little bilingual book that works its magic without you even noticing.
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About
This is a celebration of babies — all babies, everywhere, in every corner of the world. The story follows babies from all over, each born differently, yet all sharing the same ten little fingers and ten little toes.
The text is rhythmic, rhyming and impossibly simple — which makes it absolutely perfect for bilingual reading aloud. The luminous watercolour illustrations feature roly-poly little ones from a variety of backgrounds, adorable and true to life right down to the wrinkles, dimples and pudges in their completely squishable arms and tummies.
Why Ten little Fingers/ Tengo Diez Deditos is Perfect for Bilingual Babies
- It is repetitive. The rhythmic refrain comes around again and again, so your baby absorbs both Spanish and English naturally, without flashcards, pressure, or you having to do anything except cuddle up and read.
- It has diversity. Stories of babies from around the world appear across the pages, until just one child receives three kisses on the nose from her loving mum — a sweet gesture that parents will want to act out with their own children. It’s a book that teaches your little one that the world is big, beautiful, and full of babies just like them.
- It builds vocabulary from day one. This is genuinely a book for newborns. The high-contrast watercolours, simple text and gentle rhythm make it perfect from birth. So you’re starting your bilingual journey on day one without even trying.
“I’m learning Spanish so wanted to give my grandson a head start. I read it in Spanish and the rest of the family read in English. He loves both versions and anticipates us wiggling his fingers and toes regardless of language.”
Laura
3 Ways to Use This Book
1. Wiggle those fingers and toes
Every time the refrain comes around, count the fingers and toes together. In Spanish one read, English the next. Your baby will start anticipating it — that’s language learning happening.
2. Read it in one language per sitting
Some bilingual parents choose to read the whole book in Spanish one night, English the next. Others mix as they go. Both work, consistency is more important than method.
3. Use it as a bedtime anchor
The gentle rhythm and warm ending make it a perfect part of the bedtime routine. Repetition at the same time each day supercharges language retention.
My Recommendation
★★★★★
Maria Ivanova, Multilingual parent & book reviewer
Oct 2, 2025
Ten little Fingers/ Tengo Diez Deditos is a classic. Many parents report that their babies love both language versions and anticipate the finger and toe wiggling regardless of which language is being read. It should belong on every English- Spanish bilingual family’s shelf, full stop.
Language Simplicity
the repetitive, rhyming structure means even parents with zero Spanish can read it confidently from day one.
Visual Support
The luminous watercolour illustrations are adorable
Repetition and Predictability
Helps memory and cross-language mapping
What Works
+ Beautiful, timeless illustrations that babies and toddlers genuinely stare at
+ Rhythmic text that makes bilingual reading effortless even for non-fluent parents
+ Sturdy board book format built to survive enthusiastic little hands
+ Perfect from birth through toddler years — serious longevity for a baby book
My Concerns
– The text is gentle and poetic rather than functional
– The book isn’t designed to build vocabulary, but to introduce a child to the rhythm of two languages.
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