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Classic Toddler and Preschool Books
Toddler Books
Moo, Baa, La La La!, Sandra Boynton
Boynton has engaging books for the very young and any of these board books will become bedtime favorites for infants and toddlers.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle
A classic: the diecut holes are an endless source of fascination to the youngest set and the story has remained one of the best children’s books ever written.
Pat the Bunny, Dorothy Kunhardt
Published in 1940, Pat the Bunny is full of multi-sensory surprises and provides a predicatability in actions.
Perfect for the youngest train fan, all readers will enjoy identifying the colors and watching the train go. Caldecott Medal honor book.
Here is a bedtime book that every parent needs to cajole toddlers to get to sleep. Caldecott Medal honor book.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Eileen Christelow
The timeless rhyme comes to life in this picture book. Christelow has written an entire series based on these 5 monkeys.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, Don and Audrey Wood
I never get tired of reading this to my students and they enjoy it every time. Toddlers and young preschoolers watch and wait for the big hungry bear to make his appearance. The text and illustrations are fantastic.
An almost wordless book, Carl is the journey of a babysitting dog and his adventures with his toddler charge. Wordless books are wonderful since the reader will find new details in every read.
Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
A must-have for all new babies. The soothing rhymes of saying good night to all the objects in the room is a surefire way to calm even the youngest children.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
This children’s fingerplay comes to life in through Rosen and Oxenbury.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Bill Martin Jr.
Another classic that allows the children to participate and anticipate both colors and animals.
Preschool Books
Caldecott Medal winner Keats has a fascinating backstory with Peter, the main character. Peter explores a snowy day outside his home. Children are captivated when read aloud.
Another Caldecott honor book, explores Paris through short rhyming verses.
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, Simms Taback
Caldecott Medal winner: like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Joseph has diecut holes within the books to transform something into nothing.
After poor Swimmy’s family is eaten, he learns how to survive and make friends, while cleverly escaping danger. Caldecott honor book.
Caps for Sale, Esphyr Slobodinka
The classic tale of a peddler who cannot sell his hats. After he falls asleep and monkeys steal his hats, he tries in vain to get them back. Children love to copy the monkeys’ antics towards the end of the book.
Corduroy is a teddy bear that no one wants. When he realizes he needs a button for his overalls to attract a buyer, he explores the department store that he calls home so he can find a button.
Caledecott honor book, 1948. The beautiful illustrations are tinged the dark blue of the cover. Sal and her mother walk through the Maine woods filling their buckets with blueberries to can for the winter, not knowing that baby bear and her mama bear are also storing berries for the winter on the other side of the hill.
George the dog is taken to the veterinarian after his mother realizes that he will moo, meow, and oink, but not bark. What’s ailing George? This is a great readaloud and also fun to act out with puppets or masks.
Alexander has had a terrible day that keeps getting worse. Kids will have bad days and this is a good conversation starter.
Harry does NOT want to take a bath. He escapes the house and goes on an adventure around the town until he finally gets back home, completely unrecognizable.
Caldecott Medal, 1964. Maurice Sendak imagined another world with monsters where Max escapes, after being sent to his room without supper.