Welcome to this bilingual bedtime story featuring the greyhound detectives. This Spanish English story for kids is designed to help young readers learn new words while following an Issy and Poppy story set in our village.

A Bilingual Children's Story Set in Andalucía, Spain

Join Issy and Poppy, two talking greyhound detectives, in their village adventure in Monte Lope Álvarez. After Poppy's visit to the animal hospital in Jaén, the neighbours drop by Casa Adora to check on her. This heartwarming tale introduces Spanish words and phrases naturally through context, making it ideal for children ages 6–12 learning Spanish and English together.

In this bilingual bedtime story, we use the word Hola. In an Issy and Poppy story, greeting your neighbours is the first rule of investigation!

The sun has hit the courtyard at Casa Adora in Monte Lope Álvarez in rural Andalucía. Issy and Poppy, two sleek greyhounds, are lazing on the terracotta tiles — las baldosas — exchanging chit-chat.

Issy: "So what was the animal hospital like then?"

Poppy: "Issy, Abercora Hospital is in the centre of Jaén. Dad found a parking space for Florie the campervan in the train station carpark. We had to walk the last bit through… through 90,000 people!"

Issy: "And?"

Poppy: "And you know I am frightened of people. Then inside there were more people, and dogs. Lots of dogs. Chaos."

Issy, ignoring her, said, "So what about your eye? Do you need glasses?"

Poppy: "Issy, no. You know full well I have an eye infection or something."

Issy: "So what did they do?"

Poppy: "They poked and probed. Tests galore. Then I had to have a local anaesthetic."

Issy: "Local? Not far away, then?"

Poppy, ignoring her, said, "They had to pop my eye out. Dad couldn't look."

Issy: "Pop your…"

Poppy: "Yes, how else could they look behind it? The vet said I was very brave."

Issy: "Pfft."

Dad arrives with a mug of tea, a packet of Garibaldis, and his book How To Be Right under his arm.

Dad: "It's true, Issy. The vet says Poppy was very brave."

Poppy: "See…"

Reading a Spanish English story for kids is a wonderful way to introduce new sounds. In every Issy and Poppy story, we try to include the local phrases we hear here in rural Andalucía, making this a truly authentic bilingual bedtime story.

Learning Spanish with an Issy and Poppy Story

A shadow falls across the courtyard. José Sombre squeezes through the gate, blocking out half the sunlight.

José: "¡Hola! I heard about Poppy. ¿Cómo está?"

Poppy's tail thumps weakly against the tiles.

Poppy: "I'm alright, José. Just tired."

José: "My cousin had the same thing. Eye trouble for months. You know what fixed it?"

Dad, hopefully: "What?"

José: "Time."

Issy snorts.

José reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small paper bag.

José: "From Martha at the shop. She says pobrecita Poppy needs building up."

He tips the bag. Three churros tumble onto the tiles.

Issy: "Those are for Poppy, right?"

José: "Sí, sí. For Poppy."

Issy edges closer.

José: "But maybe one for her sister, eh?"

Before anyone can answer, Rosa la Catalana appears at the gate, carrying a ceramic bowl covered with a tea towel.

Rosa: "¡Buenos días! I bring caldo. Chicken broth. Good for everything."

Dad: "Rosa, that's very kind—"

Rosa: "No arguments. She needs strength. Three months with this eye business, terrible!"

She places the bowl carefully in the shade, then crouches beside Poppy, examining her face.

Rosa: "Ay, pobrecita. You look thin."

Issy: "She's a greyhound. We're all thin."

Rosa ignores her, stroking Poppy's ears.

Rosa: "When my daughter was small, she had conjuntivitis every winter. The farmacia gave us drops—"

Poppy: "I've had drops. Vitamin C drops. And antibiotics. Twice."

Rosa clicks her tongue.

Rosa: "Then you need patience. And good food."

She stands, brushing dust from her skirt.

Rosa: "I'll check on you mañana."

The sound of an engine sputtering announces Antonio Tuerca before he appears, wiping his hands on an oily rag.

Issy looked at the visitor. As a bilingual bedtime story detective, she knew that understanding both languages was the key to solving the mystery.

Antonio: "Dad! I heard you went all the way to Jaén. Florie behave herself?"

Dad: "Perfectly. Found a space at the station, no trouble."

Antonio: "Bien, bien. And the little one?"

He nods toward Poppy.

Antonio: "They find out what's wrong?"

Poppy: "They looked behind my eye."

Antonio stops wiping his hands.

Antonio: "Behind…?"

Dad: "They had to remove it temporarily. Under anaesthetic, of course."

Antonio: "¡Madre mía! And?"

Dad: "Still not certain. More drops. Anti-inflammatory this time."

Antonio shakes his head.

Antonio: "Tough little perra. My dog won't even let me look at his paws."

From somewhere near the olive grove, a voice calls out.

Voice: "¡Ey! ¡Dad!"

Antonio Pavo appears, carrying a basket of olives.

Antonio Pavo: "I saw Florie come back last night. Everything okay?"

Word travels fast in Monte Lope Álvarez.

Dad: "Poppy had to go to the specialist in Jaén."

Antonio Pavo sets down his basket and approaches slowly. He's learned that Poppy startles easily.

Antonio Pavo: "Pobrecita. My grandmother used to say, for eye troubles, you put chamomile tea on a cloth. Very gentle."

Issy: "She's not a teapot."

Antonio Pavo grins.

Antonio Pavo: "No, but maybe it helps, eh? Can't hurt."

He reaches into the basket and pulls out a handful of olives.

Antonio Pavo: "From my trees. The first pressing. For strength."

Dad: "Antonio, I can't—"

Antonio Pavo: "Not for you. For the girls. Dogs need good fat. Keeps their coats shiny."

Poppy perks up slightly.

Poppy: "I do like olives…"

Issy: "Finally, something sensible."

As Antonio Pavo leaves, Paco El Jefe strides into the courtyard as if he owns it.

Paco: "Right! I've spoken to Pilar at the farmacia. She's putting aside some herbal remedy. Calendula, I think she said. Natural. No chemicals."

Dad: "Paco, we've just come from—"

Paco: "I know, I know. Jaén. Big hospital. Very impressive. But sometimes, eh? Sometimes the old ways…"

He taps the side of his nose.

Paco: "I'll bring it by tonight. No arguments."

He surveys the courtyard: the churros, the bowl of broth, the olives.

Paco: "Good. The village is looking after its own."

And with that, he marches out.

Issy stretches and yawns.

Issy: "Well. That was a lot of people."

Poppy: "They were nice though."

Issy: "They brought food. That makes anyone nice."

Dad sips his tea, which has gone cold.

Dad: "You know what, Pops? I think José was right."

Poppy: "About what?"

Dad: "Time. And maybe a bit of help from your friends."

Poppy rests her head on her paws, one eye half-closed, the other watching a sparrow hop across the tiles.

Poppy: "I do feel a bit better."

Issy: "That's the churros talking."

Thank you for joining us for this bilingual bedtime story. If you enjoyed this Spanish English story for kids, please share this Issy and Poppy story with other families who love dogs and Spain!

We hope you enjoyed this bilingual bedtime story. Look out for the next Issy and Poppy story soon!

English-Spanish Glossary for our Bilingual Bedtime Story

To help with this bilingual bedtime story, here are the key words from this Issy and Poppy story to practise before you sleep:

Spanish Words & Phrases

• las baldosas – the tiles (a favourite spot in this bilingual bedtime story)
• ¡Hola! – Hello!
• ¿Cómo está? – How is she?
• pobrecita – poor little thing (feminine)
• churros – fried dough pastry, a Spanish treat
• sí – yes
• ¡Buenos días! – Good morning!
• caldo – broth
• farmacia – pharmacy
• mañana – tomorrow
• bien – good/well
• ¡Madre mía! – My goodness!
• perra – female dog (like the stars of our bilingual bedtime story)
• ¡Ey! – Hey!

Village Characters in this Issy and Poppy Story

• José Sombre – Big man who casts a literal and metaphorical shadow (sombre = shadow)
• Rosa la Catalana – The Catalan Woman; moved from Barcelona decades ago
• Antonio Tuerca – Village mechanic, always smells of petrol (tuerca = nut/bolt)
• Antonio Pavo – Owns the olive grove behind Casa Adora (pavo = turkey)
• Paco El Jefe – Self-appointed mayor of everything (el jefe = the boss)

This story is part of the Issy & Poppy: Kids Edition collection — bilingual adventures with Issy and Poppy in Andalucía. You can explore the whole collection in the Kids Edition Hub.
Esta historia forma parte de la colección Issy & Poppy: Kids Edition — aventuras bilingües con Issy y Poppy en Andalucía. Descubre toda la colección en el Kids Edition Hub.

Footnote: AI images, my stories — The Flexible Chef.

About Issy & Poppy: Two rescue greyhounds living their best life in rural Andalucía, solving mysteries (and mainly napping) in the Spanish sunshine. Follow their adventures as they navigate village life, learn Spanish alongside their Dad, and meet the colourful characters of Monte Lope Álvarez.