Great Reads for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers

Choose books based on your child’s interest and developmental stage to make reading fun!

Babies (Birth - One Year)

• Sturdy books that can be chewed on
• Books with photos and real faces, especially of other babies
• Touch-and-feel books
• Books based on nursery rhymes or songs
• Concept books (colors, shapes, numbers)
• Large, bright, or high-contrast images
• Books with animal noises
• Books about daily routines

Books for One - Three Year Olds

• Clear, bold illustrations
• Rhyming books
• Books that are interactive or have movable parts
• Books with repetitive phrases
• Books that introduce feelings and emotions
• Books about routines and daily life
• Concept books (colors, shapes, numbers)
• Books about your child’s favorite characters or interests

Books for Three - Five Year Olds

• Detailed illustrations
• Wordless picture books
• Books with simple or predictive plots
• Folktales
• Funny books
• Concept books: (opposites, size, time)
• Non-fiction books about animals and science
• Books with more abstract topics like fairness, feelings, and friendship

Not enough? Check out our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, contact your local library or email us for more!