If you follow my Instagram page @eat_play_read, I try to post a #FavoriteBookFriday every week with one of my favorites and a brief list of reasons WHY I love it. This page is where you can find my ongoing list of recommendations for infants & toddlers.
A quick note about my age recommendations–they are just that, recommendations. This means it is the age range I think would get the most out of the story— IT DOES NOT MEAN DON’T READ IT TO BABIES! There is lots of research out there that babies reap the benefits of being read to from birth (or even before birth in the womb!).
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
Age Recommendation: 6m+
Literacy & Language Skill Development:
- it rhymes, and rhyming is a great pre-reading skill for kids to grasp
- one-syllable sounds in this book are similar to the first babbling sounds babies make, providing good exposure and modeling
- introduction to animal names and sounds
Bonus:
- it’s silly… and what kid doesn’t like silly? It’s what keeps them so engaged!
- it’s a short & sweet bedtime read… one of those classics that kids easily memorize and read along with you
You Are My Happy by Hoda Kotb
Age Recommendation: birth+
Why?
- great bedtime read from the very beginning!
- the bears in the story reflect on their day and what made them happy, this would be a great time to also talk with your child about your day (even with babies! simply just talking out loud to them can be beneficial to their development)
- beautiful illustrations that make it fun to look at for the youngest readers
- teaches perspective– first the mother bear talks about what made her happy today, then asks the baby bear what made him happy
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Age Recommendation: 1-3yrs.
Literacy & Language Skill Development:
- vocabulary (animal names to match picture)
- answering yes/no questions
- repetitive phrases engage children in the reading
- surprise factor (ex. Keeps pattern of “Are you my mother?… No I’m a___” until… all of sudden the “Snort” picks up the bird!)
Bonus: Not the most objective reason, but if you’re a mother reading this book to your child it’s that much more special!
Poke-a-Dot: 10 Little Monkeys (Melissa & Doug)
Age Recommendation: 3yrs+
Why?
- books don’t always have to “do” something (play music, open flaps, etc.) for kids to be engaged. However, this book is SO fun and a great sensory experience (see, hear, touch) for the little ones
- helps with early math skills such as counting, number identification and one-to-one correspondence
- the hand-eye coordination and muscle groups used to pop the small bubbles on the page encourage fine motor development
- the repetitive nature of the story and the popping of the bubbles as they count the monkeys makes this book a super fun & interactive read before bed
Touch & Feel books
Age recommendation: 3m+
Why?
- interesting and engaging
- teaches new language & vocabulary
- stimulates the senses
- encourages social interaction between reader & baby!
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Age recommendation: 6m+
Why?
Little Blue Truck is funny and catchy— kids can chime in to the truck & animal noises. There is rhyming and a lesson learned about helping others. This is the original story but there are now many versions including Little Blue Truck’s Christmas and Goodnight Little Blue Truck.
World of Eric Carle, My First Library Board Book Block
Age recommendation: 6m+
Why?
They have colorful illustrations and are simply & small enough for little hands to hold. They teach new vocabulary words and reinforce early learning concepts.
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