Whether you opt for time-tested and much-loved classics or favor newer options, reading to and with your little one is a great way to bond and instill a lifelong love of literature.
To help you stock your bedtime story library, we’ve picked five classic baby and kid books and five “new classics” ! Happy reading!
CLASSIC FAVORITES
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd: This charming classic is a must-have for every family. The bedtime story features pleasant rhyming and cute illustrations to help lull any baby to sleep. One by one your child can say goodnight to everything in the house as they get ready for bed themselves.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl: Everyone remembers this classic by Eric Carle of a caterpillar who eats his way through the book. The book teaches kids about numbers, time and days of the week and features beautiful, colorful illustrations that are great for very young toddlers and kids.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: While this story is definitely more on the sad side, The Giving Tree is still a classic tale that every family should read. A story about a tree that loved a boy and teaches kids about the idea of giving and unconditional love. The story is told with few words and simple drawings, making it the perfect choice for the earliest of readers.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle: Brightly colors, fun animals and cute rhymes are all found in this charming ook by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (of The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame!) This is the perfect book for babies and young toddlers to flip through and enjoy with their parents.
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper: There is an abridged version of this classic by Watty Piper. The Little Engine that Could features the classic tale of a Blue Engine that does not give up at any task. This inspirational story is sure to entertain every child with the fun dialogue and cute pictures.
Available in unabridged and abridged versions in hardcover, paperback and board book formats.
This book is available in regular hardcover and board book format.
NEW & COOL
Toot by Leslie Patricelli: Everyone recognizes Leslie Patricelli’s iconic bald baby! Well, he makes a return in this funny and adorable board book all about the most natural bodily function. Little ones will enjoy listening to all the sounds and looking at the cute pictures while the parents giggle to themselves.
Bunnies for Tea by Kate Stone: This sweet, teacup-shaped book is all about a bunnies’ tea party. Bunnies for Tea features beautiful rhyming and pretty illustrations, which are great for young ones. Plus the bunnies dressed up in fancy hats and boas is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein: Watch a newly hatched Dinosaur learn all about the world around her and about kissing! In Dinosaur Kisses, Dinah goes around trying to give someone a kiss. This book has cute pictures and a hilarious story to keep even the youngest readers entertained.
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle: In this wordless book, Flora and the Flamingo take little ones an adventure as Flora tries to learn how to dance from her graceful bird friend. The lovely illustrations and funny moments in the book make this an ideal flip book for babies and toddlers.
Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier: Open This Little Book is perfect for kids who are getting into their love of books. This simple book about colors can help spark imagination in any child. Plus the adorable illustrations make this book extra special.
