Reading is great for all ages – even if it’s just you reading to your little one. There are so many benefits to reading and there are so many great books to choose from!
Here are a few of what we consider the best children’s books in the birth to age 1 category:
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How the cat purred and how the witch grinned, As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind. The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It’s a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn’t used to such a heavy load and it’s not long before…SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch’s animal pals better think fast! A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, The Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. This handy board book format is perfect for younger readers. It features the classic story with a stunning redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have for even the smallest Donaldson and Scheffler fans!
(My personal favorite book. Ever.)
A young woman holds her newborn son
And looks at him lovingly.
Softly she sings to him:
“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”
So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in 1986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition (as well as hundreds of thousands of copies in Spanish and French).
This is the perfect book for kids who love animals. On the big, sturdy board pages, they’ll discover bright, bold photographs of all different kinds of animals, from pets to farm animals to birds. Each has their name written underneath, so that children can learn what they’re called, build their animal vocabulary, and start to develop word and picture association.
Colorful pictures and simple rhyming texts help children guess what’s peeking through the die-cut windows in these two fun board books. The anticipation of what’s hiding on the next page and the bright, engaging illustrations will keep youngsters guessing and giggling all the way to the surprise endings.
A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck–all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle’s flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin’s singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.
‘Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.’
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.
“Guess how much I love you,” says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him right up to the moon, but that’s just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare’s love for him.
Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this special anniversary edition of a Sandra Boynton classic.
The sun has set not long ago.
Now everybody goes below
to take a bath in one big tub
with soap all over—SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB!
This classic bedtime story is just right for winding down the day as a joyful, silly group of animals scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush and brush and brush their teeth, and finally rock and rock and rock to sleep.
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
In this classic of children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.
Imagine the fun of going on a bear hunt-through tall, wavy grass (SWISHY SWISHY!); swampy mud (SQUELCH SQUELCH!); and a swirling whirling snowstorm (HOOOO WOOOO!) – only to find a “real” bear waiting at the end of the trail!
The bestselling picture book of all time!
Five little puppies dug a hole under the fence and went for a walk in the wide, wide world. . . .
The Poky Little Puppy was one of the original twelve Little Golden Books published in 1942, and went on to become the bestselling picture book of all time. The story of a curious puppy, who digs holes under fences and who has to go to bed without any strawberry shortcake, has delighted families for generations. it is, quite simply, an icon. Delightful to read aloud, The Poky Little Puppy is a cherished story that every child should know.
“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere” . . . So begins this classic Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss. Beginning with just five fish and continuing into flights of fancy, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish celebrates how much fun imagination can be. From the can-opening Zans to the boxing Gox to the winking Yink who drinks pink ink, the silly rhymes and colorful cast of characters create an entertaining approach to reading that will have every child giggling from morning to night: “Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.
Kids will love this noise-filled Bright and Early Book classic from the one and only Dr. Seuss! Mr. Brown is a sound-making wonder! He can hoo hoo like an owl and buzz buzz like a bee. It is so much fun to make noises that you hear every day, like moo and tick-tock. But stranger sounds are fun to make, too . . . like the pip of a goldfish kiss and the grum grum of a hippo chewing gum. Encouraging imaginative play while learning to read, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? will keep kids laughing (when they’re not tick-tocking).
Combining brief and funny stories, easy words, catchy rhythm, and lively illustrations, Bright and Early Books are an ideal way to introduce the joys of reading to children.
Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.
Developing language skills and finding out about the world is simple and fun in this fantastic book. Associating simple first words with beautiful pictures will help build your child’s vocabulary and encourage speaking and reading skills.
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.
One fell off and bumped his head.
The mama called the doctor. The doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Even doctor’s orders won’t stop these silly monkeys from having their fun. But you’ll never guess what Mama does when the five little monkeys finally do fall asleep!
This classic book features silly tongue twisters that will have young readers—and their parents—giggling with glee. When a fox in socks meets Knox in a box, hilarity ensues. Add chicks with bricks and blocks and clocks, and you’re sure to get your words twisted and lips locked! With his unmistakable gift for rhyme, Dr. Seuss creates a hysterical and energetic way for beginning readers to dive into the joy of reading. The story comes with the following warning: “This is a book you READ ALOUD to find out just how smart your tongue is. The first time you read it, don’t go fast! This Fox is a tricky fox. He’ll try to get your tongue in trouble.” It’s an ideal gift for holidays, birthdays, and happy occasions of all kinds.
This isn’t all of our favorites, but we couldn’t make the post a mile long! What fun would that be!?
We will share more of our favorites from this age range plus older age ranges so be sure to check back.
In the mean time, you can find more children books on our Pinterest board!
More children books on the blog –
The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey by Liana-Melissa Allen {Children’s Book Review}
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[…] may have seen my post of our favorite children books from ages birth to 1, today, I share our favorite children books from age 2 to […]