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 the ten best books for kids:
#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.
#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 children’s book: Mary Alice, Operator Number 9
This is one of the best kids books ever because of the many opportunities to do funny voices. Mary Alice is the best phone operator in town, but when she takes sick, her boss sees how difficult she is to replace.
#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.
More good stuff:
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After you read to your kids, do yourself a favor, and read the best book of 2024, “The Anxious Generation.” I have a cheat sheet here, if you don’t have time to read the whole book (like most mom’s everywhere!)
Try books on your next car trip instead of screens! Read about reducing screen time here.
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