Lucy the Cat rides into town in Mom’s car, but it’s raining, and they need Mom’s umbrella when they get out to go shopping. They visit the baker, the butcher, and the supermarket, where they encounter a thief. But Lucy is there to save the day. This is one of two enjoyable picture books for beginning readers that teach kids a second language. If their first language is English, they can learn Spanish―or if they already speak Spanish, they can learn English. The special feature in both books is a colorful series of picture-strip cartoons. The strip running across the top of each page comes with words and dialogue balloons in Spanish. The same pictures run across the bottom of each page with words in English. The full-color pictures are humorous, the accompanying text is easy, and the story is fun to read. The last page of each book is set up checkerboard style with summarizing pictures accompanied by bilingual captions in each square. Here are two great language-learning titles for children in early grades. The companion volume, also available from Barron’s is Lucy the Cat at the Farm.