TAMPA, Fla. — One Tampa mom is bringing the little free library to Spanish speakers in the community.

What You Need To Know

  • Mom started a little free library for Spanish speaking children

  • Books available in both Spanish and English

  • Encourages reading of books that children might not have picked themselves

“We decided if we can’t go to the library, I think we’re going to have to bring the library to us,” said Sulamita Camargo who started the free library.

“When you guys see the little free library it’s very colorful, it’s very kid friendly. And we’re putting up balloons, we’ve got all kinds of books,” she added.

Camargo got the idea to start a little free library in her neighborhood when the pandemic started.

“I didn’t find any in our zip code so that was even more reason for us to say we’re going to do this,” Camargo said.

But this isn’t your typical book selection.

“All of the books that we originally started gathering for them are Spanish and now we’ve incorporated some English books too.”

The Camargos mainly speak Spanish at home and figured, why not incorporate that into their library?

“I think it’s very important for kids to speak the maternal language of their parents, to at least learn it for the first few years,” Camargo said.

And it’s already catching on.

“The kids are super excited about it. It encourages reading, it encourages a variety of books, books that they haven’t been exposed to or otherwise wouldn’t have picked out,” she added.