10 Best Books for Infants, Toddlers & Children

The most powerful thing you can do for your child or grandchild? Read early, read often. Reading helps foster literacy skills from birth to 3 and beyond – benefits that last a lifetime. It’s never too early or too late to enjoy books with your little one. And, there is no better time than the present to grab a book and share a loving moment! 

Here’s how to get started.

Benefits of Reading to Infants and Toddlers

Even if your little one can’t read, you can still introduce books, spark a love for reading, and so much more. According to Healthline, “Babies and young children are sponges that soak in practically everything in their environments.” The benefits of reading together include:

• Language Skills: Introduces words, sounds, and comprehension.
• Early Literacy: Essential fundamental building blocks for lifelong learning.
• Brain Booster: Sets little ones’ brains up for success for years of learning ahead. 
• Emotional Learning: Not only words. Think feelings!
• Imagination: Sparks creativity and curiosity. 
• Love of Reading: Raises readers for life.
• Connection: Special time to cuddle and bond.

Books, books, and more of our favorite books! Introduce the magic of books to your little one and grow your family’s library to support different ages and stages.

Best Books for Newborns, Toddlers, and Children

Ages 1 – 3: Up, Down & Other Opposites  by Ellsworth Kelly
As you read about opposites, bring the visual presentation to life on a play surface or chalkboard. Chalk it out!

Ages 2 – 4: Cookies! An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen 

Encourage sensory learning, role play, and stir up curiosity as you read about baking cookies from scratch with our Essentials Play Kitchen. Little chefs big and small will love this! 

Ages 3 – 7: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The crayons quit? Oh no! Combine giggle-inducing text, bold and bright illustrations from the story and inspire artists’ Big Little Universe by making recycled crayons using silicone molds. This is a fun way to bring the story’s concepts, colors, and words to life!

Ages 4 – 8: Press Here (Interactive Book for Toddlers and Kids, Interactive Baby Book) by Hervé Tullet

Apply the yellow dot’s story about cause and effect in a fun way. Print out an activity sheet, use hand-over-hand-assistance and encourage little readers to isolate their pointer fingers to trace shapes and letters.

Ages 4 – 8: Baby’s First Eames by Julie Merberg

As little architects learn about everything from art deco to Zaha Hadid, introduce each page’s alphabet using a printable alphabet page. Little ones can practice gripping a pencil while forming lines to make letters. The write stuff for a bright future!

Ages 1 – 5: Bizy Buddies Explore Digestion by Kevin Kohlstedt, Rudy Valenta

Make the story interactive using play food as little physiologists explore an intestinal adventure and learn about digestion. Tiny belly approved! 

How to Inspire Tiny Readers from Birth and Beyond

All-Time Classics 

Ages 0 – 2: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Age 1 – 3: Brown Bear & Friends Books by Bill Martin Jr / Eric Carle

Age 4 – 10: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O (Bonus: Watch the animated version!) by Shel Silverstein

Ages 3 – 8 : Dusty Learns to Ride Safely by Big Little Universe
As your little one learns about riding safely, test out his or her skills on a scooter. 

Let the Magic of Reading Begin
After exploring books, tiny readers can store their most treasured stories in a right-sized tote. Time to grab a book and start reading with your little bookworm!