Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
I read this book to zj so many times I can still recite it. "In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon and a picture of a cow jumping over the moon." See? This is the perfect bedtime story book for tired Mamas everywhere - sweet, and most importantly, short.
The "That's not my... series" by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
This touch and feel series is perfect for little hands. The words are simple and sing-songy, and there are tons in the series to choose from. That's not my monster and That's not my robot are favorites in the J house, but there are also girl-friendly options like That's not my dolly and That's not my princess. There are seasonal ones for every holiday as well.
The DK My First series by Dorling Kindersley Publishing
I cannot say enough good things about DK books. They use actual photography instead of cartoon illustrations and kids love it. The Body Board Book is cj's current favorite, and we are using it to learn all the parts of the body.
The My First Noisy Bath Book Series by Caroline Davis
These waterproof books are virtually indestructible - a real plus at 154 Hidden Court - and and the bright, colorful illustrations are very good for toddlers. Also, these books have some sort of rattle built into them, so just shake for added fun and noise, because there can never be too much noise, right?
My First Taggies Series - Various authors
Zj was obsessed with tags. Tags in clothes, tags on blankets, tags on pillows. More than once I ripped tags out of RJ's shirts and sewed them onto zj's favorite blankie when the original fell off. These books are perfect for the tag-obsessed toddler in your life. The books are made of a soft cloth material, and all around the edges are, you guessed it, tags! The stories and illustrations aren't bad, either.
It's a book! It's a toy car! It's both! These cool board books have wheels attached so your toddler can play with it when you're too drunk busy to read aloud.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
I love Eric Carle's stuff in any size or shape, but this one really translates well to board book format. The hungry caterpillar eats his way through the book, and if you choose the board book option, your toddler can, too.
Freight Train by Donald Crews
This Caldecott Honor book is another one that is great in any format, but really works well as a board book. Bright colors, and every little boy's favorite - trains - makes it an easy choice.
Mommy Hugs & Daddy Kisses Boxed Set by Anne Gutman
These super-sweet books feature Mommies and Daddies, in animal form, snuggling with their babies. All together now... "Awwwwwwww."
The Where is Baby's series by Karen Katz
True confessions moment: When I first saw these books a few years back, the weird, round-headed babies in the illustrations sort of freaked me out. However, the words are cute, and the lift-the-flap aspect was a big hit with zj when he was a toddler. Cj is now a huge fan as well. If I can overlook the freakish looking babies, so can you.
Ok, there ya go - my top ten in toddler books. Tune in again tomorrow when we hit my favorite category - picture books.
I can't promise I'll be able to limit it to just 10.
Yeah, baby! I LOVE this list .... we of course, have Goodnight Moon, and That's Not my Monster, and The Hungry Caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteBrown Bear, Brown Bear is also a hit around here, and ANYTHING with flaps. Honestly. My kids would read a chemistry book if it came with flaps.
I'll have to go through my shelves, and see what other ones we have, too.