by guest writer beth nativ: lucie’s list subscriber, teacher, and children’s book aficionado.
board books are sturdy; their pages are like, well, boards… they can’t be ripped, folded, or swallowed. many picture books have been republished as board books so that younger readers can start enjoying classic texts at a younger age.
You are reading: Best board books for toddlers
Before kids learn to “be gentle” with paper books, and after they’ve graduated from touchy-feely cloth books, it’s time to bust out some boards books. **Just about all of these books also come as paperbacks and hardcover picture books, but if you’re looking for something that can be gnawed on, it’s best to stick with the board book editions.
10 best board books
1. the very hungry caterpillar, eric carle
eric carle created a world of lovable and visually pleasing characters, each with their own book. most, if not all, are now in board book editions. In this story, the caterpillar eats from the egg to the butterfly.
I’ve never met a little boy who didn’t like Eric Carle’s books (and I hope I never will). the mixed chameleon is another favorite of mine,and if you’re looking for a cute gift set, try a trio of eric carle board books, like very little library, which includes the very lonely firefly and the very busy spider.
2. grizzly bear, grizzly bear what do you see, bill martin jr. and eric carle
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Eric Carle’s distinctive artwork is paired with call-and-response text that’s perfectly aimed at younger readers. the colors are bold and integral to the story. the rhymes are simple and sweet.
In an effort to help my daughter, Zelda, on her journey to becoming bilingual, we also stocked her bookshelf with Spanish editions of our favorites; in this case it’s brown bear, brown bear.
3. little blue truck, alice schertle, illus. jill mcelmurry
A good friend told me about the adventures of this little truck. At first he was skeptical, thinking it was a poor imitation of the little engine it could, but by the end of my first full read, I couldn’t stop smiling. there is something about carefree animals helping a friend out of a sticky situation that makes me happy. and the truck beeps!
4. goodnight moon, margaret wise brown, illus. clement hurd
everyone needs this book. all the world. I can’t imagine how much children enjoyed bedtime before this book was published. (of course, ever since i saw the simpsons episode where christopher walken reads part of this book, i’ve read it, in my mind, in his voice, which is both hilarious and terrifying).
5. the snowy day, ezra jack keats
chances are someone read this book to you when you were very young. After more than fifty years, this quiet story of a little boy on a winter’s day remains a staple in early childhood classrooms and on nightstands everywhere. I have read it hundreds of times, and after each reading I feel warm inside.
6. pete is a pizza, william steig
What does a creative and caring parent do when their child is having a bad day? Why, he turns it into a pizza! This book gives everyone permission to expand their imagination when they’re stuck on a rainy day. read the book and then turn your kid into a burrito, or maybe sushi.
7. dear zoo, rod campbell
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Also a lift-flap book, this Rod Campbell classic is a must-have in every child’s library. the narrator asks the zoo for a pet, but he is not entirely satisfied with each animal sent. the elephant is too big (of course); the giraffe is too tall (what did I expect?)… you get the idea.
Illustrations and accompanying flaps give young readers a chance to guess which animal just arrived. in teaching, we call this making inferences.
8. the night you were born, nancy tillman
I dare you to read this to your child without teary eyes or a lump in your throat. this heartwarming book has gorgeous illustrations of starry nights; you can almost hear the lullabies lift off the page.
9. i love you, stinky face, lisa mccourt, illus. c and d moore
When we parents say we love our children unconditionally, we mean it. as this adorable book points out, even if our children were carnivorous, stinking, scaly beasts, we’d love them with all our hearts.
10. barnyard dance!, sandra boynton
sandra boynton is a wildly prolific writer of hysterical board books filled with adorable animals that love to sing, dance and make children smile. barnyard dance! is one of my favorites you and your child will have a great time acting out the action on the pages.
enjoy!!
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- Looking for more children’s book recommendations? Check out Tell Me A Story: 250 Fantastic Children’s Books.