This is a list of my top 10 favorite books to read aloud to infants and toddlers. Included is a short description of each book. I hope you and your child enjoy them.
Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth
This is a counting rhyme book that goes from 1 to 10. Each page features a mother animal with her babies. Toddlers can also locate other twosomes, threesomes, etc. on each page. The “mother owl” page has three owlets, along with three caterpillars, three beetles, three ants, and three acorns. Young children will be captivated by the steady rhythm of the text and beautiful illustrations.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don Woods
You and your child will love the bright detailed illustrations as the mouse manages to hide the strawberry, from the big hungry bear, by sharing the strawberry with the reader.
Five In The Bed by DK Books
This book repeats as the story beings with five in the bed. Then the little one says, “Roll over, roll over.” So they all roll over and one by one fall out.
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
Prepare to romp with a boy and bear as they set off for Berryland. “They frolic in strawberry fields forever, rumble and ramble in blackberry brambles, and topple their canoeberry with blueberries.” Silly rhymes and a musical beat make a wonderful read aloud.
Planes; Trains; Machines at Work; Boats; Trucks by Byron Barton
This is a series about every little boy’s favorite things: things that go. The pictures are bold and colorful.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Eric Carle is one of my favorite children’s authors. His unique method of painting on then tearing tissue paper to create his pictures makes each book a work of art. The book explains the life cycle of a butterfly but in a fun way as the caterpillar eats his way through an immense amount of food then turns into a butterfly.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Deceptively simple illustrations tell the story of a little bunny as he says, “Goodnight,” to the many items in his room.
Maisy by Lucy Cousins
Join Maisy, the mouse, on many adventures as she explores the world around her in stories like “Maisy Cleans Up”, “Maisy’s Favorite Animals”, “Maisy’s Bedtime”, “Maisy At The Beach”, and other titles.
Pat The Bunny by Kunhardt, Dorothy
Pat books have simple illustrations and few words. They feature an adorable bunny in situations familiar to the young child.
Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom by Bill Martin
You’ll want to tap your feet along in time to the rhyme as the letters of the alphabet race to the top of the coconut tree. However as each letter reaches the top the tree bends more and more. Finally the weight is too much and down the letters tumble.