I came across this list the other day – it’s something I put together for a mom’s group that I spoke to about reading and children. I thought it might be helpful, so take a look!
For Babies and Toddlers — Board Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other books by Eric Carle
But Not the Hippopotamus! and other books by Sandra Boynton
The Snowy Day and other books by Ezra Jack Keats
All Fall Down and other books by Helen Oxenbury
What Is It? and other books by Tana Hoban
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and others by Bill Martin & Eric Carle
Ten in a Bed by Jan Ormerod
Max’s Bath and other books by Rosemary Wells
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Goodnight Moon/The Runaway Bunny/Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Pat the Bunny/Pat the Cat/Tickle the Pig/Pat the Pony by Edith & Dorothy Kunhardt
Maisy’s Colors by Lucy Cousins (and all other Maisy titles)
Series Books for Babies and Toddlers
Baby Photo Board Books published by Checkerboard Press
Little Spot Board Books by Eric Hill
Touch and Feel Books published by Dorling Kindersley;
Little People Books published by Fisher Price/Reader’s Digest
For Preschoolers
If I Ran the Zoo and other books by Dr. Seuss
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie/Moose a Muffin/Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse and other books by Leo Lionni
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
Are You My Mother? By Philip D. Eastman
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
Series Books for Preschoolers
Berenstein Bears books by Stan and Jan Berenstein; Clifford books by Norman Bridwell;
Curious George books by H. A. Rey; Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmans;
Peter Rabbit books by Beatrice Potter; Franklin (series) by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark; I Spy Books by Maureen Roffey
Special Mention (classics every home should have):
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward
This classic celebrates a mother bunny’s triumph when she gets to deliver Easter eggs. Gorgeous illustrations and inspiring message.
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
A sweet story of love, faithfulness, and the joy of coming home.
Animals Should Definitely NOT Wear Clothing by Judi and Ron Barrett
What would happen if you went to the zoo, and a goat was wearing the same pants you were? The silly illustrations in this book definitely give kids the giggles.
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
One evening, Harold draws himself a wonderful adventure with his magical purple crayon. A classic bedtime story.
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch, illustrated by Sheila McGraw
This tender story traces the love of a mother for her baby as he grows into a little boy, then adult. Hard to read without getting choked up but well worth the tears.
For moms:
365 Days of Creative Play for Children 2 Yrs. & Up by Judith Anne Gray & Sheila Ellison.
365 TV-Free Activities for You to Do With Your Child by Steven J. Bennett & Ruth Bennett