Reading children’s books with your kiddos is one of the best things you can do for their brain, language skills, and relationship with you. Plus it’s so wonderful to cuddle on the couch with your favorite book!
Here are five clear, research-supported reasons reading to kids is beneficial:
1. It builds stronger language and vocabulary skills
Hearing rich, varied language in books exposes children to words, sentence structures, and ideas they won’t encounter in everyday conversation. This early linguistic exposure strongly predicts later reading and academic success.
2. It strengthens attention span and focus
Regular read-aloud time trains the brain to follow a storyline, hold information in mind, and stay engaged. If your child has ADHD like mine, you may need a new book every single night… which is why the library is SO awesome!
3. It boosts emotional development and empathy
Stories help children understand feelings, perspectives, and problem-solving. When kids hear about characters’ experiences, their ability to recognize and empathize with others’ emotions grows.
4. It supports parent–child bonding
Reading together creates predictable, warm moments of connection. This sense of closeness supports emotional security and positive behavior. It truly is my favorite time of day, whether my kids are on my lap or by my side. We used to read before and after naps, plus at bedtime. Now they can read to me!
5. It lays the foundation for early literacy and school success
Kids who are read to learn how books work, develop phonological awareness, and build background knowledge—all essential building blocks for becoming strong, confident readers.
Here are the ten best books for kids in my opinion:
#1 favorite book for kids: The Library Lion
This is far and away our favorite book. I can’t tell you how many copies of this I have given as gifts. It’s so well written I fell like it should become a movie.
It tells the story of a lion who befriends a librarian, and how their bond is tested when the lion breaks the library’s rules.
#2 children’s book: Harry The Dirty Dog
This favorite follows the adventures of a playful pup who tries to avoid baths by getting lost and dirty. The awesome 50’s-style illustrations are also a plus.
Harry the dog hates baths so much he basically stages a one-puppy rebellion and hides the scrub brush. He runs away and has the best (and filthiest) day ever, rolling in everything short of radioactive waste. By the time he heads home, he’s so dirty he goes from “white dog with black spots” to “black dog with white spots,” which really confuses everyone, because apparently no one in this family recognizes their own dog if he changes outfits. Desperate to prove his identity, Harry leaps for the bath he spent the whole story avoiding.
#3 book for kids: Corduroy
Corduroy follows a teddy bear’s search through a department store for his missing button. But better than a button, he finds a home with a little girl named Lisa. Published in 1968, it’s one of the few first depictions of an African American child in popular picture books.
#4 children’s book: RED: A Crayon’s Story
Feeling like you don’t fit in anywhere? This story of a blue crayon mistakenly labeled as red teaches us about discrimination and self-acceptance.
#5 book for kids: The Pigeon Needs A Bath
Much like the other hilarious books in Mo Willem’s “Pigeon” series, this is about as straight forward as it gets. A pigeon needs a bath, and he comes up with every excuse in the world not to. We also really like “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus,” “Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late,” and “The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog.” They ALWAYS get a laugh out of my kids.
#6 Best Book For Kids: Mary Alice, Operator Number 9
This is one of the best kids books ever because of the many opportunities to do funny voices. My mother used to read this to me as a kid, and the voices she did for the cast of characters always cracked me up. It’s definitely a chance to let your acting skills shine. Your kids will think it’s hilarious.
Mary Alice is a very dependable duck who works as a telephone operator, giving people the correct time when they call in. When she falls ill, her boss (Nancy Chicken!) tries to find a replacement, but each animal who applies fails hilariously. The snake hisses creepily, the dog can’t tell time, and the eager beaver calls people to tell them the time. In the end, Mary Alice returns, and her coworkers realize just how irreplaceable she really is.
#7 children’s book: Strega Nona
Strega Nona is a friendly witch, who leaves her bumbling assistant to watch her magic pasta pot while she goes out of town. Unfortunately, her assistant ignores her warnings, and accidentally unleashes a storm of spaghetti throughout the village, that only Strega Nona can stop.
#8 children’s book: The Book With No Pictures
All words. No pictures. TONS of laughs. Sure to be your new favorite book.
#9 book for kids: The Mysterious Tadpole
This was one of my favorite books as a child. When Louis’s birthday gift turns out to be much more than a regular tadpole, he needs to figure out how to deal with this wonderful and challenging surprise! Author Steven Kellogg is an ’80s favorite, and writes the best kids books.
#10 children’s book: Bark Park
Bark Park by Trudy Krisher is great for little ones, with beautiful illustrations and fun rhyming.
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