Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you want to know more about our products or about learning a second language in general, we've got you covered with answers to all our most commonly asked questions. You can filter by question type using the drop-down menu below. If you still can't find what you're looking for head over to our contact page and drop us a line.

Poppy and Buddy Books

What ages are Poppy and Buddy bilingual books designed for?

Poppy and Buddy bilingual books have been designed for pre-schoolers. However, older children (and adults!) also enjoy reading the stories to improve their language skills.

Can I try a book before I buy more?

Absolutely! You can download Poppy and Buddy’s ‘Count’ adventure for free. Once you’ve seen how much fun it is, you can purchase additional stories from the Poppy and Buddy library.

Will more stories be released?

We’re busy working on new stories to add to our library. To be the first to hear about new releases, subscribe today or follow us on Facebook.

How long should I read to my children for every day?

Many educators suggest reading with your children for approximately 20 minutes each day. This can be spread throughout the day and you don’t need to read bilingual books for the whole 20 minutes. Reading Poppy and Buddy bilingual books for just 5-8 minutes each day is enough to see results in just 3 weeks.

How long will it take for my child to start speaking in a second language?

All children are different and many factors influence their learning abilities. However, a study by Auckland University’s Early Learning Lab, showed that children can start speaking a second language after just 3 weeks of using the Poppy and Buddy app (currently in Beta). This is based on around 5-8 minutes of usage per day. Our books are based very closely on the app, so we would expect similar results if you are using the books instead.

 

What languages can I choose from?

Poppy and Buddy books are currently available in English (NZ) and Te Reo Māori, however we're releasing versions in Spanish - Latin American, French, and Mandarin / Simplified Chinese very soon!
We’re working tirelessly to add more languages to our library. If your preferred language isn’t here, get in touch with us today. We’ll do our best to include it soon.

Who translated the stories?

All Poppy and Buddy stories are translated by experts in each language and edited by at least one additional expert. 

How long will it take for my Poppy and Buddy books to arrive?

We aim to have the books delivered to you within 10 business days

Poppy and Buddy books are printed on demand. This means as soon as we receive your order our printers get to work building the book of your choice. This may add a few extra days onto your delivery time. But there’s a good reason we do it this way! Printing on demand reduces our environmental impact. Traditional offset printing usually requires large orders in anticipation of sales. Often, any books that go unsold are destroyed. This results in wasted paper, wasted energy, added greenhouse emissions, pulping, and landfill overflows. Poppy and Buddy books are printed in ultra-short runs or only when an order has been received, and this reduces supply chain waste, greenhouse emissions, and conserves valuable natural resources. 

We know it's frustrating having to wait for your purchase, and we appreciate your patience while we work on your order.

I’m a teacher – can I use the stories for my students?

Absolutely! We encourage teachers and educational providers to share Poppy and Buddy’s bilingual adventures with the children in their care. Contact us to find out about our discounted rates for teachers and educational organisations.

Do you offer an educational discount?

Yes. Poppy and Buddy offer discounted resources for teachers and educational organisations around the globe. To purchase resources at discounted prices and discuss how we can best support your organisation get in touch with us today.

What is your return policy?

We hope you LOVE your purchase. But in case you don't, your options for returns depend on where you purchased the book. 

Purchases from www.poppyandbuddy.com

If you purchased the book from Poppyandbuddy.com you can return any full-price print books to us for a full refund. Shipping costs are NON-refundable in any case. If you receive a refund, the cost of shipping will be deducted from your refund. Please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order at support@poppyandbuddy.com

Bulk and discounted orders are NOT returnable. Only full priced orders are returnable. 

To be eligible for a return, your book must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

We must receive the return within 14 days from the day the return authorisation was issued. Returns that are damaged will not be accepted. We reserve the right to reject any returns that do not meet these conditions. 

Purchases from a third-party website

Please visit the third-party website for their specific terms and refund policies.

Purchases in store

Please contact the store where you made your purchase to discuss their specific terms and refund policies.

Do I have to be bilingual myself to use Poppy and Buddy products?

Not at all. Many of the parents who love our products are not bilingual themselves. Our books are easy to follow, and the Read-Along audio feature ensures your child hears accurate native pronunciation every time. We've also created some simple tips on reading a bilingual book. Monolingual parents often find their own language skills improve as they read Poppy and Buddy books to their children.

What if I don’t know how to pronounce some of the words?

No problem! Every Poppy and Buddy book comes with Read-Along audio narration. Native speakers will read the book in both languages, so you can be sure your child hears accurate pronunciation every time.

I have a different question.

Excellent, we love questions! Head over to our Contact page, fill out the form, and we’ll do our best to answer your query as soon as we can.

When will the Poppy and Buddy App be available?

Our app developers are working hard to get the Poppy and Buddy App ready within the next few months. It's going to be pretty special, so sign up for our mailing list to be the first to hear when it's available to download on Google Play and the App Store.

Being Bilingual

Should I read a bilingual book if my child cannot read yet themselves?

Research suggests the younger we expose children to a second language, the easier and quicker they will learn and speak it. We recommend reading Poppy and Buddy bilingual books to your child as early as possible.

What age should children start learning a second language?

The younger the better. Research suggests the younger we expose children to a second language, the easier and quicker they will speak it. So, we recommend reading Poppy and Buddy bilingual books to your children as early as possible.

Do I have to be bilingual myself to use Poppy and Buddy products?

Not at all. Many of the parents who love our products are not bilingual themselves. Our books are easy to follow, and the Read-Along audio feature ensures your child hears accurate native pronunciation every time. We've also created some simple tips on reading a bilingual book. Monolingual parents often find their own language skills improve as they read Poppy and Buddy books to their children.

Will reading a book in two languages confuse my child?

Children don't get confused when learning multiple languages at the same time. Children are naturally sensitive to the different ways people speak. Even monolingual children quickly differentiate between the way men and women, or adults and children talk, or the ways people express themselves. For bilingual children, hearing various languages is just another difference for their eager brains to navigate.

What are the benefits of being bilingual?

There’s a staggering volume of scientific research into the benefits of being bilingual. In addition to the multitude of educational advantages, there are significant financial, cultural, and health benefits for those who speak more than one language. Check out our Bilingual Benefits page for more details.

I have a different question.

Excellent, we love questions! Head over to our Contact page, fill out the form, and we’ll do our best to answer your query as soon as we can.