Bilingual personalised children's book: two languages in one book

By Baptiste Geissmann · 6 October 2026 · 5 min read

Dad speaks English, Mum speaks French, and Grandma in Madrid reads mostly Spanish. In many families in Switzerland, the bedtime story isn't told in just one language. That's why Pitiboo now offers a bilingual edition of its personalised books: the same story, with the child as the hero, written in two languages on every page.

Why a book in two languages?

When a child grows up with two languages, each parent often has "their" language with them. A book written in a single language always leaves someone out at reading time. With a bilingual book, everyone reads the same story in the language that comes naturally to them, and the child hears both.

• Each parent reads in their own language. No more translating out loud on the fly.
• Grandparents can read it too. Even if they live far away and don't speak the school language.
• The child connects both languages. The same scene, the same pet names, the same first name: they see that both languages tell the same story.
• A keepsake that looks like your family. A book where the child is the hero and that speaks the languages of home is a true family portrait.

What does a bilingual page look like?

The layout stays the same as a standard Pitiboo book: a text page on the left, a full-page illustration on the right. On the text page, the story is written first in the first language, then repeated in the second, separated by a thin line. Sentences are never mixed: each reader follows their own block in one go.

The title appears in both languages on the title page and on the back cover. The note to parents is bilingual too. The dedication is printed exactly as the family wrote it.

Which languages can you choose?

Common combinations in Switzerland: English with French or German for expat families in Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich or Basel, French and German in bilingual regions (Fribourg, Biel, Valais), or the local language together with the language of the grandparents back home.

A real adaptation, not a word-for-word translation

A children's book is read aloud. A literal translation sounds stiff and breaks the rhythm. So each version is adapted to sound natural in its own language: dialogue, terms of endearment (Mummy, Maman, Mama, Mamma, Mamá, Mãe), sound words and noises. The child's name stays the same throughout.

For the six languages offered, Pitiboo takes care of everything. For another language, the text is translated with care, then the family proofreads it in the preview before printing: they know best the words used at home.

How do I order a bilingual book?

1. On the order page, choose your package (from CHF 48.–).
2. Tick the "Bilingual edition" option (+CHF 15.–) and choose language 1 and language 2.
3. Describe your child (first name, age, photo or description), just like for a standard book.
4. Receive the full PDF preview within 3 to 5 working days, then approve it or ask for corrections.
5. The book is printed and delivered in Switzerland within 7 to 10 days of approval.