I started stocking up on children’s books the day I found out I was pregnant with my son. I literally walked to a bookstore and began perusing the board books just minutes after getting the news! It was the obvious next step, right? As a children’s book editor and a lifelong book lover, I don’t believe one can ever have too many books, especially books for children. So of course I’m always delighted to buy new books for my now one-year-old and thrilled when he receives books as gifts from others. Reading together is not only fun, but it also helps his cognitive development.
Books help young children develop language and learn their colors and shapes, how to count, and how to identify animals. Books teach empathy and problem solving skills. They help foster active imaginations and prepare kids for various situations they will encounter out in the world as they grow.
For this Readers Write column, we asked readers what they look for in children’s books, why reading with young children matters to them, and to share their favorite books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Survey respondents said they look for high quality picture and board books with beautiful, engaging illustrations. The stories themselves must have strong word choices, poetic or rhythmic cadences, and entertaining or meaningful messages.
A few reasons why reading with young children is important:
“I love books and I want to share that love with my kids. Books are windows to the world and I can introduce ideas and concepts to them that I can’t do in other ways.”—Rachel Z.
“Reading is something our family places a high value on—we want to build early literacy skills now in the hopes of helping our daughter become a lifelong reader! We also like the connection that comes through our time reading together and the fun that she has learning and exploring new things.”—Lindsey M.
“Reading is an intimate experience that you share. To develop their imagination and language skills. To help prepare for rest. To teach values and concepts.” —Amy H.
The following are some of the books recommended by Books Make a Difference readers. Take this list with you on your next trip to your local bookstore or library to find the next great book for the little ones in your life. Happy reading!
Favorite Bedtime Books
Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night by Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade
Goodnight Baseball by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Christina E. Forshay
The Goodnight Train by June Sobel, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Llama Llama Nighty Night by Anna Dewdney
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker
I’ll See You in the Morning by Mike Jolley, illustrated by Mique Moriuchi
Favorite Colors or Shapes Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Little Yellow Bee: Lift-a-Flap Children’s Board Book by Ginger Swift, illustrated by Katya Longhi
Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
Elmer’s Colors by David Mckee
Little Green Peas by Keith Baker
Shapes (Picture This) by Judith Nouvion
Black on White by Tana Hoban
White on Black by Tana Hoban
Little Owl’s Colors by Divya Srinivasan
Favorite ABC and Counting Books
Cars and Trucks from A to Z by Richard Scarry
Roar: A Feel-and-fit Shapes Book of Dinosaur Counting by Stuart Lynch
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book by Dr. Seuss
B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Favorite Story Book
Corduroy by Don Freeman
The Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
5-Minute Little Critter Stories by Mercer Mayer
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrate by Dan Hanna
Little Gorilla by Ruth Bornstein
The Piggy in the Puddle by Charlotte Pomerantz, illustrated by James Marshall
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George Hauman and Doris Hauman
Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton
Freight Train by Donald Crews
Where’s Spot by Eric Hill
Favorite Funny Book
The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak
Your Baby’s First Word Will be DADA by Jimmy Fallon, illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Scott Magoon
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple
The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin
Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter
If You Give a Pig A Pancake by Laura Numeroff, Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Favorite Book to Give at Baby Showers
What Do Moms Do? by Amy Houts and Emily Bush, illustrated by Lisa Thiesing
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Little You by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett
You Are My Cupcake by Joyce Wan
Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
Cedric and the Dragon by Elizabeth Raum, illustrated by Nina Victor Crittenden
How Kind by Mary Murphy
Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
I Am A Bunny by Ole Risom, illustrated by Richard Scarry
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman
Favorite Book About Another Culture
My Big Book of Spanish Words by Rebecca Emberley
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Yoko by Rosemary Wells
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ua Si, Ua Si! by Mykou Thao
Lil Libros books by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
Say Hello by Rachel Isadora
What are your favorite books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers? Let us know in the comments!
This article was first published April 2018.
