This is a list of 115 of the best picture books that my own children, Jackson and Lily, especially loved from ages 2 to 4. We often read them at the kitchen table while they were finishing a meal. At this age, children often want the same book every day for several weeks, just long enough to max out those library renewals, or make these books a good choice for birthdays and Christmas presents. These books are arranged roughly by when my kids started to enjoy them (beginning at age 2), but if you want a fuller breakdown of which of these books work best for what ages, check out these posts.
Also, I have found that if you are reading books to larger groups of children, you need to read simpler than for one or two kids. (For example if you are reading to a group of 3 year olds, pick books from the 2 year old list.)
Books for Ages 2 and Up
Vehicle Books (age 2+)
1. Mighty Dads
Mighty Dads by Joan Holub illustrated by James Dean. A great combination of construction vehicles, fun rhymes, vivid illustrations, and sweet kid-dad teams. For months, this was a daily read. (The team’s Tool School was a big hit when our daughter Lily turned 3.)
2. Freight Train
Freight Train by Donald Crews. This seems like the perfect first train book: beautiful illustrations, a rhyming poem we like to recite when we see trains (A train runs across this track, red caboose at the back), colors, names of train cars, and blurring to rainbows as the train speeds up (Going, going, gone). Similar, simple vehicle books that are still a big hit at this age are ones by Bryon Barton like Machines at Work Richard Scarry’s little books on the go: Cars, Boats, Planes, Trucks, and Barbara McClintock’s Vroom! — a fun and lovely book about a little girl who races around the world before bed–quick, engaging, with a tiny bit of girl power.
Animal Books (age 2+)
3. Picnic
Picnic by John Burningham. Big illustrations with simple sentences on each page, a picnic, animal friends, a near escape from a bull, and missing items to find make this the first book for kids to love from the talented John Burningham (author of classics like Mr. Gumpy’s Outing).
4. 10 Little Rubber Ducks
10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carl. A storm tosses a box of 10 rubber ducks overboard and the wind and waves take them to far away places past various sea creatures in this lovely rhyming book. There are so many wonderful Eric Carl books to read like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar which of course Lily loved too.
5. Oops Pounce Quick Run!
Oops Pounce Quick Run! An Alphabet Caper by Mike Twohy. This is such a clever book told using basically just 26 words, one for each letter of the alphabet. This is perhaps the ultimate large, engaging, picture book with few words per page. I will say that it’s probably not the very best for actually teaching the alphabet letters and sounds (Eye is the E word for example) but since there are many books that do that, just enjoy the Tom and Jerry like antics of the dog and mouse caper without it needing to be a phonics lesson. This is probably Lily’s favorite book about funny dogs next to Go Dog Go by PD Eastman.
6. Old MacDonald and Other Songs
Old MacDonald and Other Songs by Tiger Tales and illustrated by Hannah Wood. Lily loves singing books. This is probably her all time favorite, and since she couldn’t quite manage the whole title, she’d refer to it as “Ole Donny.” Most of the songs I knew from my childhood. (Also This Little Piggy: and other favorite action rhymes (which does have “Itsy Bitsy Spider”) and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: and other favorite bedtime rhymes are lovely too, with a mix of songs and spoken poems.) Other favorite song books for Lily were Dem Bones and The Wheels on the Bus. Best of Wee Sing is nice too; it has actual music and little illustrations so it is helpful for actually playing the songs, but slightly less engaging for toddlers to look at.)
Sweet and Funny Books (age 2+)
7. Nursery Collection
Nursery Collection by Shirley Hughes. We have a small obsession with Shirley Hughes at our house, with nearly a whole shelf full of this beloved British author and illustrator, and this is an early favorite starring Katie and her younger brother Olly. Rhymes for Annie Rose is a collection for a similar age that stars Alfie and his younger sister Annie Rose. We still read lots of traditional Mother Goose (Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses and Playtime Rhymes by Marc Brown are two of our favorites) and along with those traditional nursery rhyme poems, Shirley Hughes has some of the very best little poems (Especially in Out and About).
8. I Pray Today
I Pray Today by Angela Isaacs and illustrated by Amandine Wanert is one of the sweetest nighttime books with a sung refrain “Lord Have Mercy.” (A traditional Eastern Orthodox Christian sung refrain.) It follows a little girl all through her day where she can pray about the various parts of it. Lily refers to it as the “Lord Have Mercy” book. Other nighttime books we love are of course the classic Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Clement Hurd (Illustrator), Time for Bed by Mem Fox illustrated Jane Dyer, The Going-To-Bed Book and Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton, and Goodnight Jesus also by Angela Isaacs.
9. DW All Wet
DW All Wet by Marc Brown. We love Marc Brown’s Arthur, and this shorter book about his younger sister DW captured Lily’s heart. She has the whole thing memorized and “reads” it to herself. There are other DW books like Glasses for DW we love as well, and then pretty soon Lily wanted to read the big Arthur books. Also Arthur’s Really Helpful Word Book which is in more of a Richard Scarry or Roger Priddy First Words style is a hit too.
Books for Ages 2 1/2 and Up
Animal Books (age 2 1/2+)
10. New Adventures of Curious George
New Adventures of Curious George inspired by the work of Margaret and H. A. Rey. It is hard to convey Lily’s deep love for and devotion to Curious George. Good thing there are so many stories in one collection and many collections (like Treasury of Curious George which is just as good), because we read and re-read these stories so. . .many. . .times. Honestly, we got tired of Curious George, but Lily did not. The newer “inspired by Margaret and H.A. Rey” stories are shorter and more focused than the originals and easier to read to a 2 year old. (The Complete Adventures of Curious George which seems to be her favorite at age 3, can be pretty meandering with the exception of Curious George Goes to the Hospital which is probably her all time favorite.)
11. Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrated by Bruce Degen. This is such a sweet and lovely book. It has fun illustrations (from Bruce Degan of Jamberry and The Magic School Bus) and the text is so fun as it traces a little one’s day from getting dressed to having sun and sand and a bit of lunch covering Jesse Bear. This one can be read and re-read a lot without getting old.
12. Caps for Sale
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. This tale of monkey business is just so funny. Kids love the repetition, the counting and the colors of caps, and of course the crazy finger shaking and foot stamping at monkeys which leaves Lily and Jackson in fits of laughter. Plus, you know it’s going to be a great book when it was a Reading Rainbow book (In the Three Hats Day Episode).
13. Corduroy
Corduroy by Don Freeman. I loved Corduroy as a child, the bear, the button, and the search for belonging. My kids also think the crashing and banging when Corduroy pulls the button off the mattress is just so funny.
14. Blueberries for Sal
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. Again a classic that I remember from when I was tiny at library story time. The drawings, the writing, and everything about this book make it a strong candidate for the perfect children’s book.
15. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. Along with Madeline, Peter Rabbit was one of Jackson’s absolute favorites around when Lily was born, and I read it so often that I had it pretty much memorized. No bother that it opens by saying that a father rabbit was killed and eaten (“put into a pie by Mrs. McGregor”) or that naughty Peter is running for his life, for almost 125 years, small children have really loved this book. It’s even better if you can get the little version for their little hands. In my experience, the rest of the Beatrix Potter canon is not as captivating to 2 year olds (occasionally, they might want to hear more about Peter Rabbit in the tale of Benjamin Bunny) so wait on the rest.
16. A Sick Day for Amos McGee
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. When a zoo keeper gets a cold all the animals he visits and tends to everyday take a bus to come visit and care for him. The illustrations are so lovely (and won the Caldecott in 2011) , the writing is just perfection, and it helps kids connect to their common experience of having a cold and needing to change plans because of it. There are fun little details like a bird and a mouse to look for on multiple readings.
17. Llama Llama Red Pajama
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. Normally, I don’t love reading books to my kids in which the characters are afraid of the dark or bedtime stall because those aren’t issues my kids have (don’t worry, they have plenty of others), and I don’t want to suggest this is something that we should be afraid of. But Llama Llama Red Pajama is so funny and fun to read that I don’t mind his bedtime concerns. I end up reading it with a lot of funny loud voices, so it’s probably not a great bedtime read. Also, I found out that the original Llama Llama book is by far the best of the other books that came out afterwards.
18. Hippos Go Beserk
Hippos Go Beserk by Sandra Boynton. Sandra Boynton is a genius. We love her so much around here. (Also, she is delightful to follow in Instagram.) This is her very first book, and it’s probably the only board book that Lily wasn’t fully ready to enjoy until she was slightly older, and this might be my favorite of her books because it is so clever. But you really can’t go wrong with a Boynton board book.
Sweet and Funny Books (age 2+)
19. Madeline
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. This is a book that my mother-in-law read to Jackson (age 2 1/2) the weeks she was at our house caring for me and newborn Lily at least ten times a day. The pictures, the rhymes, the surprise visit to the hospital, everything about it captured his little heart. In my opinion, the first book is by far the best and worth owning, and the subsequent books are worth checking out from the library, but they don’t have the magic of the first one, especially for the littlest members of the audience.
20. Olly and Me 1,2,3
Olly and Me 1,2,3 by Shirley Hughes. Going through the world of Katie and Olly (from her Nursery Collection, Out and About, and of course the original Olly and Me ) this book counts as it goes and it was a daily read for a long time for Lily, and while she would sit through the longer Alfie books and the other Katie and Olly books that older brother Jackson liked as well, Olly and Me 1,2,3 was her favorite.
21. Drummer Hoff
Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley and illustrated by Ed Emberley. This fun, little, traditional English rhyme is set with gorgeous stained-glass-esque illustrations (it won the Caldecott in 1967). (There’s a fascinating little article about the book on wikipedia). Going up the military rank (Drummer, Private, Corporal etc.), loading, and finally firing a cannon are the entirety of the book. But the rhyme is just so fun and fun to say, this one was requested many times.
22. King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub
King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood. While slightly less known than the couple’s beloved Napping House (also a great book), King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub is so quirky and funny about a King who refused to get out of the bath and insists that everything–fishing, feasting, battling, and masquerading–happen in the tub. The illustrations are so wonderful and the idea so funny, although it is also relatable to small children who also at times do not want to get out of the bathtub.
23. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (the sequel Mighty Mighty Construction Site is nice too). This is probably the very best construction book and there are many, many construction books to choose from. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site has cozy pictures, construction vocabulary woven into its rhyme, and a Goodnight Moon-esque spiraling, darkening, and slowing down that makes it a good goodnight book.
24. The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. The number one book checked out of the NYC library is a beloved classic for a reason. Especially for toddlers who experience snow (and perhaps for those who don’t!). Everything about this book is charming. Again, I haven’t found other Ezra Jack Keats books to capture 2 year old’s imaginations, but this one everyone loves.
25. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault and illustrated by Lois Ehlert. A classic, fun alphabet book that everyone told me about forever, and we didn’t get around to with Jackson. It’s clever and fun, and I especially love that the art features the lower-case letters of the alphabet.
26. Emily’s Balloon
Emily’s Balloon by Komako Sakai. This is a story that my godson Corin at age 2 loved, although I probably should say it deeply moved him because when Emily’s balloon gets lost (for a time), I remember he got up and started weeping and running away from the book. With a gentle tone and pictures, it really captures the two-year-old’s feelings about a balloon friend.
27. Looking for Bongo
Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez. This book has the relatable central challenge of locating a lost stuffed animal, named Bongo, but it is set in a lovely African-Latino household with Spanish speaking members and actual bongo instruments and a scallywag of little sister. It’s sweet and fun to read.
28. Press Here
Press Here by Herve Tullet. Kids find this interactive book so silly and brilliant as they press a dot on one page and turn the page to have it “do” something new on the next page–turn a different color, multiply, or get bigger. I have found that the other books in the series are fun, but not as captivating as the original. A similar book my kids did really love was Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda. Of course, more traditional interactive flap books are still a big hit like classic Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill or many of the books by Matthew Van Fleet. And while I cannot handle the noise inside, my kids do love a good “button sound book” like World of Eric Carle, Around the Farm.)
Books for Ages 3 and Up
Animal Books (Ages 3+)
29. Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly and James Dean. With its vibrant colors and fun characters, this is the first Pete the Cat book that his wife Kimberly Dean helped to write. (There are many, many Pete the Cat books including the original ones that Eric Litwin authored, as well as song books and early readers. Currently there are over 70 books. This is my favorite, but Lily is pretty willing to listen to any Pete the Cat book because of the consistently wonderful illustrations, while I find the quality of the storylines really varies a lot book to book.
30. The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant
The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant by Jean De Brunhoff. This funny little French elephant has been capturing children’s imaginations since the 1930s. Again, like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, there is a parent death in the opening pages. I will give a good warning that the rest of the books are not as interesting to most kids (they are long and meandering) and that I had to straight up tape some pages of the sequel together because of the incredibly racist depictions of African “cannibals” (although I do not understand why the elephants are worried about the cannibal part). A more sensitive adult reader probably could pick up on all sorts of strands of imperialism throughout the books, although its more subdued in the first one.
31. Make Way For Ducklings
Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. This book is in the running for books that I could read and re-read and never grow tired of. It’s also one of the world’s most perfect picture books. It won the Caldecott in 1942. I will say that Lily and Jackson were both drawn to the pictures before they could sit through all the words, so for a little while they wanted us to just “tell them the story” describing the pictures and plot more briefly. And then after a while, they could sit through the whole thing. Everything about this book is perfection.
32. A Piglet Named Mercy
A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo. I love all things Kate DiCamillo. Her Marcy Watson series is one of my favorite birthday gifts to give a three-year old, and this short picture book is a perfect introduction. Lily was firmly a fan of Mercy Watson and was happy to see her again in her pile of birthday presents. We also loved reading the more graphic novel / cartoon style book Good Rosie by Kate DiCamillo about a dog named Rosie.
33. Arthur and the Baby
Arthur and the Baby by Marc Brown. Our favorite book about a new baby, although fun to read even if your toddler is not expecting a new sibling. (Arthur books are really books for early readers, geared towards early grade school kids K-3rd grade, but many of them work for toddlers too. I found that previewing an Arthur book and going with slightly later Arthur books worked well, but I also didn’t mind editing out a phrase here or there to make it more toddler friendly. Some of our favorites are Arthur Lost and Found, Arthur’s Pet Business, Arthur’s New Puppy, Arthur’s Writes a Story, and Arthur Meets the President.)
Vehicle Books (Ages 3+)
34. Katy and the Big Snow
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton. Kids love books about big machines (also stopping to see big machines on walks or drives) and snow, and this is a classic that does both. Lily was crazy about this book; for months, it was something she asked for multiple times a day. We also like Mike McMulligan and His Steam Shovel and Maybelle the Cable Car. Personally, I could take or leave The Little House, which might be her most famous book, because evidently, I just like her take on big machines!
35. Busy, Busy Town
35. Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry . Kids just love Richard Scarry. Now the thing about Richard Scarry books is that there is so much to look at on each page, and it’s not really a book that you can just read straight through. It’s a book where you stop and talk about one thing, and find your favorite thing, and laugh about the funny way that some detail in the corner is drawn. Busy, Busy Town is shorter than his other classic books (Our three favorites are What do People Do All Day, Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, Best Word Book Ever) so it is a little easier to read the whole thing in one (long) sitting.
Books for Ages 3 1/2 and Up
Animal Books (Ages 3 1/2+)
36. All Along the River
All Along the River by Magnus Weightman is such a fun look-and-find book. (Similar to Busy Bunny Days: In the Town, On the Farm & At the Port by Britta Teckentrup which also has detailed pictures with lots of animals having their own adventures page to page.)
37. Rosie’s Walk
Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins. (Also by Pat Hutchins , The Wind Blew, Ten Red Apples, Changes, Changes, Good-Night, Owl!. This and many other Pat Hutchins books were recommended at the end of the 1980s classic parenting book Your Three-Year-Old: Friend or Enemy by Louise Bates Ames and Frances L. Ilg.
38. Kitten’s First Full Moon
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (This book was a recommendation from Honey for a Child’s Heart Updated and Expanded: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt Chapter 12: A Child’s First Books Ages 0-3 including some our of favorites: Ten, Nine Eight by Molly Bang; Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb by Al Perkins and illustrated by Eric Gurney, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss, “More More More,” Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams). Kevin Henkes is a master of kids books. I think most of his books are more for the four and up crowd, but this one and A Good Day are perfect for younger ones.
39. Ask Mr. Bear
Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack (Also the author of Angus Lost and The Story of Ping both a big hit with Lily). This gem of a little book is from a list from the preschool curriculum Before Five in a Row (if you want the list scroll to very bottom of their web page). Others we read regularly: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrated by Bruce Degen. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey/ Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown / Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina / The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats / Corduroy by Don Freeman)
40. Bunny Cakes
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells. Ruby and Max are bunny siblings that get into lovable mischief. This is my favorite of their stories with Ruby trying to bake Grandma a cake and Max continually ruining various ingredients, precipitating another walk back to the grocery store. (I found this book on the list at More Before Five in a Row. We also really liked All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff, Go to Sleep, Little Farm by Mary Lyn Ray, In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck and Tricia Tusa and Little Bear’s Little Boat by Eve Bunting and Nancy Carpenter from that list.)
41. Biscuit
Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and illustrated by Pat Schories. Biscuit is a super cute dog that gets into loveable adventures. It’s an early reader book, which we originally got from the library for Jackson to practice his reading, but Lily absolutely loved. These are pretty quick, but the storybook collection can lengthen out the reading session with 10 stories that grow in length and complexity.
42. Winnie the Pooh
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: A Classic Disney Treasury. I’m a big fan of the original 1920s Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard, and I have my mother’s copy from the 1950s, but I will say that Disney, in its animated version (and this book is based on it) made the whole thing more coherent and straightforward, and generally something Lily will sit through.
43. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. This book is universally loved; in my house growing up it was a bit of a proverb meaning one thing leads to another. It was a Reading Rainbow book (season 11 episode 7, and while not all Reading Rainbow books are going to be home runs for three year olds, here’s a link to the complete list of books).
44. In a Small Small Pond
In a Small Small Pond by Denise Fleming (Also In the Tall, Tall Grass). This book is deceptively simple but has rich language (a poem really), a frog to find on every page, and a little bit of pond ecology. (I found it in the wonderful resource Honey for a Child’s Heart Updated and Expanded: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt in chapter 12 Toddler Picture Books. Other books from that list that we enjoyed include May We Sleep Here Tonight by Tan Koide and Yasuko Koide, Color Dance by Ann Jonas, Animalia by Graeme Base, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke, Let’s Go Visiting by Sue Williams, and Up! Tall! High! and In, Over and On the Farm by Ethan Long).
45. Play with Me
Play with Me by Marie Hall Ets. A little girl wants to play with the woodland animals by her home, but they are frightened by her exuberance. (This is a book is from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library list. Other books we have especially enjoyed from that list are Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson,Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Find Fergus by Mike Boldt and Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.)
46. The McDuff Stories
The McDuff Stories by Rosemary Wells and illustrated by Susan Jeffers. On our spring break trip this year we were able to stay with my friend Julie’s parents. Like Julie, her mother has the most beautiful house and the best collection of children’s books. McDuff was upstairs in a little basket in the living room ready for her grandchildren and my kids instantly fell in love with the sweet mischievous little terrier.
47. Daniel Tiger’s 5-Minute Stories
Daniel Tiger’s 5-Minute Stories adapted by Jason Fruchter. We love Daniel Tiger around here. And while these stories aren’t a replacement for the episodes (they are based on them), especially the songs, Lily was deeply devoted to this book. I do wish they had music for the little sung refrains that are in each story. When Jackson was three he loved Lightning McQueen’s 5-Minute Racing Stories. Most of the 5-minute books aren’t great literature, but most aren’t too painful to read either, and most are much appreciated by 3 year olds.
48. Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Whole Series). If I had to recommend one set of books to buy a three year old, I would suggest Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson. I have gotten them as gifts a number of times, and they are always a big hit. All six books are great, although the first four are my favorite. Starting at 2 Lily loved the little picture book A Piglet Named Mercy, which is much shorter and is a good way to introduce the characters. Kate DiCamillo is a genius.
49. The Complete Adventures of Curious George
The Complete Adventures of Curious George by H. A. and Margret Rey. When Lily was two she loved the shorter New Adventures of Curious George, but this year about half the time she requested original stories from our big collection. They are much longer, meandering through several only loosely related plots. Her favorite is Curious George Goes to the Hospital. If your three year old has never read any Curious George, I’d suggest starting with the New Adventures unless they have an unusually long attention span, then once they love the little monkey George, they’ll probably be more interested in his longer antics.
50. Find Fergus
Find Fergus by Mike Boldt. We discovered this book at a friend’s house. It’s part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for a 5 year old, but Lily loved it. Fergus the bear is really bad at hiding, which makes it really fun for the kids to find him. Other books that have things to find that Lily still loves are All Along the River by Magnus Weightman, Busy Bunny Days: In the Town, On the Farm & At the Port by Britta Teckentrup , Usborne Barn Yard Tales, Cars and Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Scarry, Where’s Waldo by Martin Handford, Animalia by Graeme Base and Adèle & Simon by Barbara McClintock.
51. Katy No-Pocket
Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne and illustrated by H A Ray. This sweet book by the illustrator of Curious George follows a pocket-less mother kangaroo looking for a solution to carrying her joey around. She chats with a number of different animals about how they carry their children. Fun and sweet, Lily asks for this one on repeat.
52. Miss Suzy
Miss Suzy by Miriam Young and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. This is the sweetest old book. It has a fun story about a squirrel and some toy soldiers and is illustrated by the wonderful Arnold Lobel who made the Frog and Toad books. This is about as much chivalry and fighting that I like my toddlers to be exposed to, and driving some other squirrels out of the nest they stole is just about the right level of conflict.
53. Grumpy Monkey
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang and illustrated by Max Lang. At one point, it felt like we had run out of good new library books for Lily and I scoured the internet for 3 year old lists. Grumpy Monkey came up several times, so I checked it out. It really is very good. Monkey is grumpy; well everyone else can tell that he is, but him. It’s a great way to talk about the feeling of grumpy and the gentle way that loved ones can help when we don’t feel cheerful.
54. The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone ( Also The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Boy, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Little Red Hen, Henny Penny, The Three Bears, by Paul Galdone.) Jackson has a tender heart, and when he was Lily’s age any fairy tale books where main characters got eaten or almost eaten was too much for him. So imagine my surprise when we read a version of The Gingerbread Boy and Lily thought the fox gobbling up the gingerbread boy was the funniest thing. She laughed and laughed and repeat “gobbled him up.”
55. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henke (Also Chester’s Way & Lilly’s Plastic Purse) Kevin Henke is a master of book for kids that are funny and quirky, capturing the social complexity of children’s worlds and at the same time allowing things to turn out right in the end. Chrysanthemum loves her name until she goes to school and everyone has very short names and teases her.
56. Bread and Jam for Frances
Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban. A perfect picture book. This is the classic take of Frances the badger who does not want to try any new foods, and only wants to eat bread and jam. After a little initial exasperation on her mother’s part, Frances’ mother decides to only serve Frances bread and jam for a while. Charming, honest, and very relatable, this is my favorite Frances book, with its rich language, beautiful illustrations, and perfect storyline.
57. Bill and Pete
Bill and Pete by Tomie dePaola. (Also Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile, Bill and Pete to the Rescue) After our success with Strega Nona we decided to try out Bill and Pete. Lily asked for us to read Bill and Pete all the time, and the smile on her face when Bill is reunited with his father in the last book was huge. Jackson loved the bits about Egypt and Lily loved the physical comedy of the bad guy getting his just desserts as the end.
58. Flora and the Flamingo
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle. This is a charming little wordless picture book that is funny and sweet. Lily often loves to pour over it herself. Generally, my husband Evan has more patience to read wordless books to the kids, he just makes up his own narration and describes the pictures. Other wordless books that he and the kids love are Peter Spier’s Rain and Aaron Becker’s Journey (also Quest and Return). For other suggestions of wordless picture books check out Sarah McKenzie’s List over at Read Aloud Revival.
59. Annie and Snowball
Annie and Snowball by Cynthia Rylant (also Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter & Tabby) Cynthia Rylant is one of the very best writers of early readers. We are big fans of all her works around here. Annie is the cousin of Henry and she appears a few time in his books (and he in hers).
60. Frog and Toad
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. The four Frog and Toad books (Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Days with Frog and Toad, and Frog and Toad All Year) are just masterpieces of illustration, simple text, and funny but insightful stories. For over 50 years, these books have been charming kids with physical humor and the earnest friendship of the slightly neurotic Toad and his slightly wiser and loyal friend Frog.
61. Favorite Parables from the Bible: Stories Jesus Told
Favorite Parables from the Bible: Stories Jesus Told by Nick Butterworth and illustrated by Mick Inkpen. Here are eight parables retold for children that include humor and heart and occasionally help even adults understand a parable in a new way. Our kids ask for these to be read more than any other Bible stories. Our kids also love the 1990s British TV show Kipper by the same creative team and Animal Tales: Four Favorite Stories from the Bible which have animal narrators for the birth of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, Zacchaeus, and Jesus calming the storm.
62. Little Bear Books
Little Bear Books by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Little Bear, Father Bear Comes Home, Little Bear’s Visit, Little Bear’s Friend, & A Kiss for Little Bear). One of the very original “I Can Read” books, and according to my mother this is the series that made me fall in love with reading for myself. Little bear is charming, funny, and a favorite early to read book for generations of kids.
63. The Story of Ferdinand
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. This is a classic that for some reason it took us a while to get to, but now my children adore Ferdinand and check it out from the library any time we see it (which is often). We recently discovered Little Egret and Toro by Robert Vavra and illustrated by John Fulton which feels a bit like a companion book, with much longer text, but still in the same style of detailed black and white drawings and the same theme of a bull being brought to the bull ring as in Ferdinand.
64. The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Billy Goats Gruff Retold by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. My daughter has always loved any version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, giggling when the troll threatened to eat up the goats, so she was instantly drawn for Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (the same duo as the wonderful Sam and Dave Dig a Hole). It was very funny, had wonderful writing, a super gross troll, and the same surprise illustrations of scale and size that make Sam and Dave so delightful. I do think it’s a little bit funnier if you have read a classic version before (Paul Galdone‘s is a good one).
65. Baby Monkey, Private Eye
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin. We grabbed this off the level three reader shelf (although honestly it’s probably one of the easier level three readers since it has very few words in it), for Jackson and he read it aloud to Lily on the stroller ride home. Brian Selznick is one of the most talented illustrators (he’s known especially for his amazing The Invention of Hugo Cabret which was a good read aloud to Jackson this year at age 6) and Baby Monkey, Private Eye has beautiful detailed illustrations that have an adorable baby monkey trying to solve crimes and also do very funny things like try to get his pants on. The kids laughed and laughed together over this book.
66. Little Golden Book Collection: Sleepytime Tales.
Little Golden Book Collection: Sleepytime Tales. With a dozen classic golden book stories, our favorites are the first four The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey, Baby Dear by Eloise Wilkin, The Color Kittens Margaret Wise Brown, and Richard Scarry’s Good Night Little Bear. If you need to grab one book for a longer wait (a plane or doctor’s office) this one can last a while.
67. No Such Thing as Dragons
No Such Thing as Dragons by Jack Kent. This is such a fun and clever book about a little boy who wakes up to a tiny dragon in his house but his mother insists that “there is no such thing as a dragon.” The dragon seems to double in size by the hour, but mother stands firm in her insistences. It has a similar message of the importance of simply acknowledging things like in The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. Of course Jack Kent is very funny and this one is a favorite for adults and kids alike. This one is great for a wide range of kids from 2 to 12.
The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone and illustrated by Michael Smollin. A classic for a reason! It’s so funny and delightful and my kids love it. Lily loved the sequel as well, but Evan and I think the first one is better. It’s interactive and breaks the fourth wall in the style of Herve Tullet’s Press Here. Sometimes when I read it to 3K classes, they are unsure at first how they feel about it, but then quickly as to read it again and again.
69. What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry
What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry (Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, Best Word Book Ever, Funniest Storybook Ever!, Busiest People Ever!, Best Storybook Ever, Busy, Busy World) Everything Richard Scarry is still a big hit around here. Since we are often reading books at the kitchen table while coaxing our children to finish their meals, I tend to like the Richard Scarry books that have more narratives than exploring the detailed pictures and captions, but those books are some of Lily’s favorites to look at on her own. Similar in feel, but without the animal characters is Busy Day Busy People by Tibor Gergely (published in 1973).
70. Dandelion
Dandelion by Don Freeman. From the creator of Corduroy comes another delightful tale of being yourself and belonging. Dandelion decides to become a dandy lion for a party but he over does it, and no one can recognize him. Clever and fun. A book that older kids enjoy just as much. We also enjoyed A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman.
Sweet and Funny Books (age 3 1/2+)
71. Rain
Rain by Sam Usher (or any of the Seasons with Grandad books). We picked these books up from the library on a whim and have absolutely fallen in love with the beautiful illustrations and the warm imaginative relationship between boy and grandfather. There are four in the series, and if you can manage to get all four, do, because it’s hard to pick a favorite. In each one, the boy imagines some fantastical aspect of his adventurous outing with his grandfather (pirates! Venetian gondolas! zoo animals having a snowball fight!) in beautiful watercolor illustrations.
72. My Apron
My Apron by Eric Carle. This slightly longer and more complex Eric Carle book is about when he was a little boy and went to visit his uncle, a brick layer. It’s more in line with his Pancakes, Pancakes!, which is probably a little too complicated for Lily yet, or rather she has to be in a good mood to read it, but she likes the story of My Apron a lot. (It is similar to the biographical picture books that Tomie dePaula also made like The Art Lesson and those loved by slightly older kids like 26 Fairmount Avenue, which is a small chapter book series.) My Apron has the big, bold, classic Eric Carle illustrations and a relatable story of a child wanting to be like and help a beloved adult.
73. Wiggle Waggle Fun
Wiggle Waggle Fun: Stories and Rhymes for the Very Very Young by Margaret Mayo. This big book is similar to a mother goose collection. It was originally published in Britain with dozens of illustrators each contributing images to go along with short songs, stories, and rhymes that young kids love. Some are completely new, but many are retellings of classic folktales or funny words to classic songs. (We still love our regular Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses !)
74. Big Sarah’s Little Boots
Big Sarah’s Little Boots by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark. This was a random find in one of our little libraries, but quickly became a Lily favorite. Sarah’s yellow rain boots have become too small, and she tried many ways to stretch them back out. It reminds me a bit of Alfie’s Feet by Shirley Hughes, also about shopping for new boots.
75. All About Alfie
All About Alfie by Shirley Hughes. We love Alfie stories around here! If you can get your hands on a used British Edition of The Alfie Treasury it’ll have 7 of the best stories Alfie Gets in First, Alfie Gives a Hand, Alfie’s Feet, An Evening at Alfie’s, Alfie and the Birthday Surprise, Alfie Wins A Prize, and Alfie and the Big Boys. The American collection has the first four. Lily also loves the two newer Shirley Hughes stories about a stubborn 2 or 3 year old also named Lily: Bobbo Goes to School and Don’t Want to Go.
76. The Listening Walk
The Listening Walk by Paul Showers and Aliki (Like The Quiet Way Home by Bonny Becker). This book was a gift to Jackson for his 2nd birthday and has been a favorite around our house since then. A father and daughter take their little old dog for a walk and listen to all the sounds of the neighborhood. It’s quiet and lovely.
77. The Red Carpet
The Red Carpet by Rex Parkin. This is a hard book to find a copy of, otherwise I would definitely have bought it for our own collection. It has just a really great rhyming text and a fun red carpet that is escaping the hotel and bound for the docks. If you find an affordable used copy, scoop it up (or better yet, tell me, so I can scoop it up)! (This is another title we discovered from Before Five in a Row. Also this year Lily loved: The Big Green Pocketbook by Candice Ransom/ If Jesus Came to My House by Joan Gale Thomas)
78. Princess Sylvie
Princess Sylvie by Elsa Beskow. Our library did not have a different book by Elsa Beskow available that I had found on a list, so I got Princess Sylvie instead. Lily asked to read it every day we had it checked out. Its story is both quiet and simple and exciting, and the illustrations are just charming. Dogs run away, a princess gets lost, and rides home on a bear.
79. Sophie’s Squash
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Sophie’s parents buy a squash from the farmers market with plans to cook it for dinner, but Sophie becomes a bit attached to her new best friend. Anyone who has been around a small child can relate to this turn of events. This one is a favorite for older kids as well. When I read it aloud I get an actual butternut squash and draw a face on it.
80. Daisy The Doctor
Daisy The Doctor by Felicity Brooks and illustrated by Jo Litchfield (Part of the Jobs People Do series by the same author-illustrator team with other books about Fred the firefighter, Sam the chef, Vicky the vet, Frank the farmer, and Tessa the teacher. So if your child has a particular love of one profession, they may love those). This was a random little library find, but like many Usborne books, it’s solid and appeals to the kids.
81. Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel by James Marshall (Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella) James Marshall’s versions of these classic fairytales are funnier and more of a comic book style than Paul Galdone’s, but Lily absolutely loves these as well. Again, Hansel and Gretel is kind of a terrifying story that I didn’t even try to read to Jackson, but Lily loves it. And I remember really liking it as a kid as well: Hansel outsmarting his evil stepmother and Gretel outsmarting the evil witch and the kids are cruelly treated but they have a lot of agency and come out on top in the end. I think the more comedic version of these stories helps them seem less scary as well.
82. Don’t Want to Go!
Don’t Want to Go! by Shirley Hughes (Bobbo Goes to School). We love Shirley Hughes here, and this is one of the last new toddler characters she created: Lily. And when our Lily is having an especially bad day we often quote bits of these books to each other. Anyone who has ever had a 2 or 3 year old can relate to these tales of tough days that turn out okay.
83. Strega Nona
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola (All 8 Strega Nona books are great and many are in this collection we have, but Lily’s favorites is probably Strega Nona’s Magic Ring). Tomie dePaola’s illustrations are so wonderful and this first book has just the right amount of drama and humor.
84. Harold and the Purple Crayon
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. We had this as a board book since it’s my mother-in-law’s favorite children’s book from her own childhood and she got it for Jackson as a baby. The book has such clever language “draw up the covers,” it’s one that is easy to read again and again.
85. One was Johnny
One was Johnny by Maurice Sendak. (Part of the adorable tiny 1962 Nutshell Library my favorite is Chicken Soup with Rice and Lily does like the other two as well Alligators All Around: An Alphabet, Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue). Maurice Sendak has such a way to make illustrations and words work with a touch of aggression that kids just love. These are a delight to read aloud (especially Chicken Soup with Rice.)
. All the Big Colored Book of Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss, PD Eastman and friends. These are great early reader books, and once Jackson was done with the final set of BOB phonics readers he loved reading these himself. We have (BLUE , AQUA , PURPLE, RED, ORANGE, YELLOW , GREEN, Dr. Seuss’s, and the Spanish One.) These were what we liked to bring on trips to have may books all in one.
87. “Wait for me!” Said Maggie McGee
“Wait for me!” Said Maggie McGee by Jean Van Leeuwen illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. Maggie is the youngest of the big McGee family and is too little to do nearly everything she wants. Maggie slowly grows big enough to join her siblings at school and saves the day in her own way. I think this especially would appeal to preschool and kindergarten age kids who have older siblings.
Books for Ages 4 and Up
Animal Books (Ages 4+)
88. The Kissing Hand
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Right before Lily went to school for the first time (all day 4K) we read this book about a little raccoon who was nervous about attending nighttime school for all the nocturnal animals. Chester the raccoon’s mother gives him special kisses on his hands that she promises will stick and anytime he needs them he can have her kiss right there. I promised my kids that I’d give them kissing hands before school, and everyday they hold out their hands to me to kiss before they head out. I think having that unique way of keeping a kiss, along with the sweet story, has made this book a classic since 1993.
89. James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children illustrated by Ruth Brown and Peter Barrett. This collection of 8 stories for children taken and adapted from James Herriot’s larger adult All Creatures books (and the TV series based on them) feature the same wonderful Yorkshire dale veterinary, James Herriot, as he goes about helping puppies, pigs, lambs, cats, and cows. Most of the stories from the larger books are suitable for children (although parents likely might edit out a good deal of English farmer gentleman swearing and perhaps some anatomically correct descriptions of veterinary procedures), these stories are just the right length for kids with great illustrations helping to bring the stories alive.
90. Swimmy
Swimmy by Leo Lionni. Dutch born Leo Lionni worked as a commercial artist, and after he retired he started making books for his grandchildren. Swimmy might be his best known work, a Caldecott Honor book, with a compelling story of a little fish who first wants to hide and then brings together other fish to look like one giant fish. The art is so unique in this book, and Leo Lionni is one of the classic 20th century children’s book illustrators along with the iconic Eric Carle and Tomie dePaola.
91. Brambly Hedge Collection
Brambly Hedge Collection by Jill Barklem. This collection of four seasonal stories has the most beautiful little illustrations. If you love Beatrix Potter’s world, come see Jill Barklem’s intricate 1970s masterpieces. The stories are darling as well, filled with woodland mouse magic. They are slow moving, but totally charming. It’s probably more suited to one on one or small group reading where kids can really study the pictures. The perfect present for girls ages 4 to 8. I think I bought 5 different girls this present when Lily was in first grade.
92. The House on East 88th Street
The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber. This is the book that introduced Lyle (Lyle) the Crocodile to the world. Bernard Waber is such a master in this book, weaving whimsical illustrations, a fun story line, and a kind crocodile. Lyle joins monkey Curious George, pig Mercy Watson, and big red dog Clifford in the pantheon of non-verbal, comedic, accident prone, but good hearted, unusual pets. This book is a little bit long, but usually holds the attention of kids four and up really well.
93. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (also Doctor DeSoto, The Amazing Bone, Pete’s a Pizza & Brave Irene). Sylvester the donkey has found a magic pebble, but an unfortunate, impetuous wish when he sees a lion turns him into a rock. Can Sylvester’s parents find and help him? William Steig creates such a unique world with real dangers that kids can understand, and also resolutions and endings that are just perfect.
Sweet and Funny Books (age 4+)
94. The Day the Crayons Quit
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. Silly and fun, Duncan receives letters from each of the crayons in his crayon box about how they feel about their various coloring assignments. So much fun! I honestly don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this book.
95. One Morning in Maine
One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey. Everyone knows and loves Blueberries for Sal and Make Way For Ducklings, two of the most famous and arguably perfect American children’s books of the 20th century, but One Morning in Maine is just as wonderful! Sal (from blueberries for Sal, based on Robert McCloskey’s own daughter) wakes up one morning with a loose tooth. With lots of Maine coastal and small town charm, Sal makes it through this important day with her parents and baby sister little Jane. A perfect book for introducing four and five year olds to the idea of losing a baby tooth.
96. Anna Hibiscus
Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke and illustrated by Lauren Tobia. These books (and there are 8 in the series) are often classified as first or transitional chapter books, but with a picture on every page they work well for 4 year olds. Each chapter is episodic and can stand on its own, while contributing to the overall story of each book. Atinuke is a master storyteller, and Anna Hibiscus who lives in Africa (amazing Africa!) has a big family and wonderful adventures. There are some really hard and sad things that Anna has to face at times, but it’s handled well and Anna is always able to help in a meaningful way. There are a few picture books about Anna Hibiscus that you might read first like Anna Hibiscus Song, Double Trouble For Anna Hibiscus, and Splash! Anna Hibiscus.
97. The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook
The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley. These stories seem like the older British version of Anna Hibsicus. First published in the late 1920s, these stories about Milly-Molly-Mandy, her family, and little friends Susan and Billy Blunt capture the experience of being little that is at once universal and also very specific to a 1920s English small town. There are not quite as many illustrations per page as modern transitional readers, although I love the original illustrations by the author (although the new ones by Clara Vulliamy are nice as well). And the chapters are very episodic and mostly stand on their own.
98. The Princess in Black
The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated LeUyen Pham. Like Anna Hibiscus, these are first or transitional chapter books, but with pictures on every page, and they are also a big hit with four-year-olds, especially princess-loving little girls, although my son loves these stories too. Princess Magnolia has a superhero alter-ego–the Princess in Black–who stops monsters from eating the goats in her kingdom. Filled with superhero fun, friends, and the occasional STEM problem solving, this series is great for developing longer attention spans in young readers (they’ll want you to read the whole thing) with a splash of girl power.
99. The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook
The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook by Shirley Hughes. Shirley Hughes is a very famous author-illustrator of British children’s books (she just passed away in her 90s), and this collection of Alfie stories and poems is lovely for slightly older children (although four year olds tend to love all the Alfie stories!). These focus on Alfie and Annie Rose his little sister creating a shop with leaves and berries, a beloved rock named Bonting being lost at a rocky beach, a camping trip with an unexpected porcine visitor, and a sheep who needed help getting home. They are simple, yet told in a sensitive way that makes it clear that Shirley Hughes spent a lot of time with real children and could capture their lived experience in a way that few others have. Plus her poems and illustrations are excellent.
100. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett illustrated by Ronald Barrett. This is one of my husband’s all time favorite picture books, and he’s always up for reading it to the kids, who seem to always be up for hearing it. Grandpa’s tall tale of the land of Chew and Swallow where the food comes down from the sky has been enchanting generations of children. I love the fun play on words like “jell-o setting in the west.”
101. Home in the Woods
Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler. With gorgeous illustrations, a true story of family survival in the north woods of Wisconsin during the Depression, and a big family with lots of warmth and imagination, this is a gem of a picture book.
102. The Seven Silly Eaters
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman and Marla Frazee. A lovely rhyming book about Mrs. Peter’s picky eaters, the seven children always want something different but when mother’s birthday rolls around they work together to make her something. Like Bread and Jam for Frances, this story captures the lived experience of trying to feed small children.
103 .Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection by Rev. W. Awdry. These are the classic stories beginning in the 1940s that have inspired generations of shows about Percy, James, Gordon, Toby, and of course Thomas. With over four hundred pages of Thomas stories, this book will keep you busy for a while. If you have a train loving child with a long attention span, these are gold.
104. “Could Be Worse!”
“Could Be Worse!” by James Stevenson (also The Great Big Especially Beautiful Easter Egg). James Stevenson is so funny, and his text and illustrations are just accessible enough that four year olds can get the humor yet it is still very enjoyable for adults to read as well. Zany with a happy ending.
105. A Little House Picture Book Treasury
A Little House Picture Book Treasury by Laura Ingalls Wilder illustrated by Renee Graef. This collection of little Laura and Mary stories is so fun. Inspired by the original illustrations in the longer books of Garth Williams, these books feel really authentic and just right for four year olds to begin loving Laura.
106. Ox-Cart Man
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and Barbara Cooney. This is one of my very favorite picture books of all time. It has beautiful illustrations, takes you back in time to early east coast American settlements, and has a industrious family that makes everything they need to trade for a few luxuries. I think it’s a practically perfect picture book.
108.Miss Nelson is Missing
Miss Nelson is Missing by by Harry G. Allard Jr. illustrated by James Marshall (Also Miss Nelson is Back). Miss Nelson is too nice, no one in her class is listening to her or giving her any respect. So…she goes away and is replaced by Miss Viola Swamp, who is nothing like Miss Nelson in looks or temperament. Suddenly the class is whipped into shape and missing Miss Nelson. Kids love figuring out that perhaps the wig and the costume in Miss Nelson’s closet might be a clue to Miss Viola Swamp’s true identity.
109. Jabari Jumps
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. Jabari thinks today is the day for finally jumping off the high dive…or maybe it isn’t. This book totally captured my kids, and they wanted to experience the emotions with Jabari of doing something that frightens them, but then figure out a way to do anyway.
110. Roller Coaster
Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee. Marla Frazee is one of our favorite illustrators (esp All the World and The Seven Silly Eaters), and this book captures the details of people at an amusement part on a rollercoaster. It reminds me of some of our favorite Peter Spier books for detailed illustrations that make you feel like you are standing right there moving through the experience with the characters in the book.
111. Hello Lighthouse
Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall (Also Farmhouse and Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall). The 2019 winner of the Caldecott award, this book is beautifully illustrated and uniquely laid out in spirally circles to make you feel like you are in a lighthouse. This is a favorite at our house for parents and kids. Sophie Blackall makes great books.
112. Thomas’ Snowsuit
Thomas’ Snowsuit by Robert Munsch and illustrated Michael Martchenko. This is a very funny, perhaps slightly inappropriate for modern audiences book, about a little boy who does not want to put his snow suit on, and ends up with everyone else’s clothes on after a tussle ensues. Although anyone who has ever tried to get an unwilling child into an outfit, let alone a snow outfit, will relate. And our kids thought this book was hilarious. But I did refuse my kids begging for it to be a library read aloud since I wasn’t sure how the principal and the teacher ending up in each other’s clothes would go over (or get retold at home), but I’ve read it a lot at home.
113. The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash
The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. A field trip to the farm has one funny animal mishap after another. A classic children’s book, it was on the first season of Reading Rainbow, this one is still just as funny as it was when you were young.
114. Classic Stories to Share
Classic Stories to Share by Ladybird Tales. I loved the Ladybird fairytale books when I was little, and someday I’d like to get us a set. But they are a little spendy at nearly $60 for the set of 22 individual books, so this collection of 5 stories (Hansel and Gretel, Aladdin, Cinderella, Puss in Boots, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) was a more economical introduction. The versions are somewhere in between the original stories and the Disney versions, often keeping the quirkiness and the repetitions of the original (Cinderella goes to the ball three nights in a row).
115. The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen (Illustrator) (Also Lost in the Solar System, On the Ocean Floor). Lily loves books about the body and all the Magic School Bus books. The great thing about these books is that you can read the extra parts or skip them based on how much time (or child interest) you have. Of course my kids love the show as well (I had forgotten how much group yelling while in mortal danger there is in that show…a lot).
What are your favorite books to read aloud to preschoolers?