The Everyday Language Learner blog defines parallel text as a resource for learning another language in the form of “a book or text in which the target language and native language are presented side by side on the same page or screen.” Many language learners will use this technique during the study process.
I encourage you to read this blog entry that gives some tips and ideas for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners when using parallel text.
Language Learning Tip: Using Parallel Texts
If you are learning Spanish, there are many side-by-side book options available. Here is a list of the best rated:
Parallel Text Reading: 16 Side by Side Books in Spanish and English
| BOOK | NAME AND DESCRIPTION | QTY | FORMATS |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Victor's Adventures in Spain: A Parallel Text and Audio Workbook What we have focussed on in our book is to provide you, the learner, with a full range of learning that involves every sense. As you make you way through the 32 chapters you will be helped to use all of your learning senses. You’ll be listening, reading, writing and if you follow our advice, reading out loud as you go. | Book / Workbook Audios | Paperback |
  | A Second Spanish Reader: A Dual-Language Book - It introduces well-known Spanish authors such as Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Alarcón, Unamuno, and Darío. - Contents include plays, lyric and narrative verse, and prose of many kinds: fiction, philosophy, autobiography, and more. - Many reviewers agree that this book is more advanced than described. | 50 Excerpts from Spanish literature | Paperback Kindle  |
  | First Spanish Reader: A Beginner's Dual-Language Book "This small book of barely over 100 pages includes parables, folktales, and short stories from Spanish writers in a dual language format, with Spanish on one page and English facing it. The selections increase in difficulty, but gently so, the first few using only present tense verbs, for example. All the selections are charming and entertaining." - Reader review - 41 delightful stories and proverbs based on works of Don Juan Manuel, Luis Taboada, Ricardo Palma, and other noted writers. - Complete and faithful English translations are featured on the facing pages of the Spanish text. - Exercises are also included. | 41 Stories and proverbs | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Stories from Spain | Historias de España - 18 tales that will introduce you to an array of characters--kings, nobles, rogues, and pirates. - Free audio downloads of 6 chapters from the book | 18 Short Stories Spain | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Stories from Puerto Rico | Historias de Puerto Rico - 18 well-known Puerto Rican short stories that stretch from the dawn of creation to the twentieth century - Free audio downloads of 6 chapters from the book | 18 Short Stories Puerto Rico | Paperback |
  | Spanish-American Short Stories | Cuentos hispanoamericanos - These seventeen stories from the Caribbean and Central and South America encompass a tremendous variety of subjects, settings, moods, and styles. - This dual-language edition features an informative introduction and ample footnotes. | 17 Short Stories | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Stories from Mexico | Historias de México - 16 well-known short stories that chronicle 1,500 years of Mexican history - Free audio downloads of 9 chapters from the book | 16 Short Stories Mexico | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Stories from Latin America | Historias de Latinoamérica - 16 fascinating short stories from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and more. - Free audio downloads of 4 chapters from the book "The legends are varied and charming, not only suitable for an advanced beginner in Spanish but also intriguing and interesting in their own right. They provide valuable cultural insights into different countries and groups in the region. There is a vocabulary list at the back of the book, which is helpful." - Reader review | 16 Short Stories | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Great Spanish and Latin American Short Stories of the 20th Century | Grandes cuentos españoles y latinoamericanos del siglo XX This bilingual anthology features outstanding short stories by the most celebrated Spanish-language writers. Ideal for students of language and literature, it is equally valuable for classroom use and independent study. An informative Introduction and Notes accompany the text. | 14 Short Stories | Paperback |
  | Spanish Stories | Cuentos Españoles From classics by Cervantes and Alarcon to contemporary works by Borges and Goytisolo. "Flores (the editor) begins in 14th century Spain, and works his way into the 20th century, with 2 authors who are still alive. His short "Foreword" is a terrific introduction to the development of short stories written in Spanish. He chose mostly works not already available in English." - Reader review | 13 Short Stories Spain | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Spanish Stories of the Romantic Era | Cuentos españoles del Romanticismo These twelve classic short stories reflect the idealistic and exotic appeal of a golden age in Spanish literature. Published from the 1830s to the 1860s, the heyday of the Romantic era, they remain popular with readers of every generation. This dual-language edition features an informative introduction and ample footnotes, making it not only a pleasure to read but also a valuable learning and teaching aid for students and teachers of Spanish literature. | 12 Short Stories | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Short Stories in Spanish | Cuentos en español Penguin Parallel Text "This was a good collection of stories. Most of them were relatively easy to read in Spanish (intermediate-advanced level)." - Reader review | 10 Short Stories | Paperback |
  | Mexican Short Stories | Cuentos mexicanos: A Dual-Language Book (Dover Dual Language Spanish) This collection offers a rich sampling of significant Mexican short stories published from 1843 to 1918. "This dual-language book of intermediate difficulty contains nine short stories by Mexican authors, mostly of the 19th century. All evoke a time and culture both remote and familiar. Vivid descriptions of people and landscapes abound, and dramatic intensity is characteristic of each of the stories. " - Reader review | 9 Short Stories Mexico | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Spanish Short Stories 2 | Cuentos Hispánicos 2 Penguin Parallel Text This second volume of short stories contains more diverse and lively writing from the Spanish-speaking world. Featuring stories by writers from Mexico, Cuba, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Spain. | 9 Short Stories | Paperback Kindle  |
  | Spanish Short Stories 1 | Cuentos hispánicos 1 Penguin Parallel Text "The stories in this book are by some of the great writers of Spain and South America. This is a well constructed anthology of varied and entertaining stories that provides an insightful glimpse into the particular cultures of several different countries that are too often grouped together because of their common language." - Reader review | 8 Short Stories | Paperback |
  | Selections from Don Quixote | Selecciones de Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Carefully selected passages from one of the great masterpieces of world literature feature the satiric adventures of a would-be knight and his faithful squire. "This is not the complete book, but just a selection of the most remarkable chapters. And a great one. It comes with a pretty good translation in English which will help not just the English-speaker trying to read El Quijote, but also the Spanish-speaker who is not familiar with old Spanish. " - Reader review | Selected chapters and sinopsis | Paperback Kindle  |
Check out these other articles on Spanish Books.