Reading to children from a young age is one of the best ways to develop their language skills, imagination, and love of books. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time reading to my kids, as it was an integral part of their evening (and sometimes morning) routines.
I am a big believer in the power of books and reading, so it was something I did very gladly, although on many occasion I ended up sleeping myself with the book in my hand, after the umpteenth request of “one more book”.
Here are some of the favorite books that I’ve read time and again with my kids.
“Bizzy Bear” series by Benji Davies
The Bizzy Bear series of books, written and illustrated by Benji Davies, are a collection of interactive children’s books that are designed to encourage children to explore, play and learn. The books follow the adventures of a curious young bear named Bizzy as he goes on various activities such as going to the zoo, helping out at the fire station, and building a rocket.
The books are filled with bright, colorful illustrations and simple text that make them easy for young children to understand and relate to. Each book also includes interactive elements such as flaps to lift, wheels to turn and buttons to press, which makes it more engaging and fun for children to read. The books aim to develop children’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and introduce them to different concepts such as counting, colors and shapes. They are a great way to encourage children to be curious and to explore the world around them.
“123 Count with Me” and “A is for Apple”
“123 Count with Me” is a children’s book designed to teach young children the concepts of counting and numbers. The book is filled with colorful illustrations and simple text that make it easy for children to understand and relate to the numbers and counting. The book is interactive and features different activities such as counting objects, matching numbers with corresponding quantities, and identifying numbers in different forms such as numerals and number words.
The book is part of a series of educational books that aims to teach children basic concepts in a fun and interactive way.
A is for Apple” is the other one we bought, and both were used extensively.
The series uses a combination of illustrations, simple text, and interactive elements to help children learn and retain the information. The book is a great tool for parents and educators to introduce children to the concept of numbers and counting and to help them develop the skills necessary for early math education. It’s a great way to introduce children to the world of numbers and to encourage them to develop an interest in math and problem-solving.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
It was first published in 1969 and has since become a classic and a staple in children’s literature. The story follows the journey of a very hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before eventually turning into a beautiful butterfly. The book is known for its colorful, collage-style illustrations and simple, repetitive text that makes it easy for young children to follow along and understand the story.
The book teaches children about the life cycle of a butterfly, numbers, days of the week and healthy eating habits. The story is simple and easy for children to understand and the illustrations are visually appealing and engaging. The book is a great way to introduce children to new words and concepts, and to encourage them to develop a love of reading. It has been translated into over 60 languages and continues to be popular among children and parents around the world.
This wasn’t one of my personal favorites, but the kids liked it for an occasional read. It’s one of the most popular and recommended children’s books though.
“Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” by Sherri Duskey Rinker
A children’s book that takes young readers on a journey through a construction site before bedtime. The story follows a group of hardworking construction vehicles as they say goodnight to the various parts of the site, such as the crane, cement mixer, and bulldozer. The book is filled with colorful illustrations that bring the construction site to life and make it easy for children to understand and relate to the story.
The repetitive text and rhyming words make it easy for young children to follow along and develop their reading skills. The book has a positive message about the importance of hard work and teamwork, while also promoting the idea of bedtime reading. This book is a perfect addition to any child’s library and a great way to introduce them to the world of construction and the hardworking vehicles that help build our communities.
There is a whole series of books around this theme, and I found most of them to be really good. My son surprised me at around 3 years of age by reciting the whole book by heart, which was an amazing experience for me and a testament to how much he loved this book.
“Tails” by Matthew Van Fleet
A book about different animals and their tails, it teaches children about the different shapes, sizes, and functions of tails in various animals. The book is filled with colorful illustrations and simple text that make it easy for young children to understand and relate to. The interactive elements in the book encourage children to explore and learn through play, making it a fun and engaging way to learn about animals and their body parts. The book is a great addition to any child’s library and is perfect for encouraging an early interest in science and the natural world.
“Oscar the Octopus”by Matthew Van Fleet
An interactive book which features different textures, flaps and movable parts that children can explore as they read the story. The book tells the story of Oscar, an octopus who lives in the ocean and explores the different sea creatures that he meets. The book is filled with colorful illustrations and simple text that make it easy for young children to understand and relate to.
The book aims to teach children about the different sea creatures and their characteristics and habitats. The interactive elements in the book encourage children to explore and learn through play, making it a fun and engaging way to learn about the ocean and the animals that live there. The book is a great addition to any child’s library and is perfect for encouraging an early interest in science and the natural world.
“Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson
“Monkey Puzzle” is a children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It was first published in 2002 and is a part of the Julia Donaldson’s collection. The story follows a monkey who loses his mother in the jungle and is helped by a butterfly to find her again. The book is known for its vivid illustrations and simple, repetitive text that makes it easy for young children to follow along and understand the story.
The book is a great tool to develop children’s language and vocabulary, it also teaches children about the importance of family, love and self-reliance. The story is easy to follow and the illustrations are visually appealing and engaging. The book is a great way to introduce children to new words and concepts, and to encourage them to develop a love of reading. It has been translated into many languages and continues to be popular among children and parents around the world.
“8 Little Planets” by Chris Ferrie
The book is an introduction to space and the planets in our solar system. The book covers the eight planets in our solar system and provides basic information about each planet, including size, distance from the sun, and number of moons. The book uses simple language and colorful illustrations to make the information accessible and engaging for young children.
The book is part of the “Baby University” series, which is designed to introduce young children to complex concepts in a simple and accessible way. The series uses a combination of illustrations and simple text to explain scientific concepts to children. The book is also a great tool for parents and educators to introduce children to the concept of space and the planets and to spark their curiosity. It’s a great way to introduce children to the world of science and to encourage them to develop an interest in space and the natural world.
“Press Here” and “Mix It Up!” by Herve Tullet
These are both children’s interactive books that encourage children to engage with the book in a hands-on way. “Press Here” is an interactive book that invites children to press a yellow dot on the cover, which then leads to a series of surprises and interactive experiences within the book. The book is designed with simple illustrations and bold colors that capture the attention of young children. “Mix It Up!” is another interactive book by the same author, that invites children to mix up different colors and shapes on the pages, creating new and unexpected combinations. The book is designed to encourage children to experiment with the illustrations, and to explore the creative possibilities of combining different elements. Both books are a perfect way to engage children’s creativity and imagination, while also helping them to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
These books are not only entertaining for kids, but also educational for them. They help children to develop their language skills, imagination, and love of books. It is always recommended to read with children, to help them with comprehension and to discuss the story and the illustrations with them.
“The Color Monster” by Anna Lllenas
The Color Monster series of books, written and illustrated by Anna Llenas, is a collection of children’s books that aim to teach children about emotions and feelings. The books follow the story of a monster named The Color Monster who is feeling confused and overwhelmed by the different emotions he is experiencing. The books use bright, colorful illustrations and simple text to help children understand the different emotions they may be feeling and how to deal with them. Each color represents a different emotion, for example, the red color represents anger and the blue color represents sadness. The books aim to help children identify and understand their emotions, and to learn to express them in healthy ways. The series includes books such as “The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions” and “The Color Monster Learns to Be Brave”, which are designed to be used as a tool for parents, teachers, and counselors to help children understand and cope with their emotions.
We used one of the books in this series just before my son started school, in order to prepare him for the emotions that he would possibly feel. The other book about basic feelings remained a bedtime staple for several months, and actually helped me to sort out my own feelings together with my son.
Imagine a City by Elise Hurst remains one of the favorites. It’s got exquisite drawings and you can invent your own story to go with them.
While I was looking for ideas I came across a curated yearly catalog of children’s books, probably worth a look: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Ravens
Thank you for sharing Frank!