Exceptional quality picture books that are perfect read-alouds for little ones
By Jan Parish, MEd
“There was one little baby who was born far away. And another who was born on the very next day. And both of these babies, as everyone knows, had ten little fingers and ten little toes.”
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by beloved and gifted picture book creators, Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, celebrates babies around the world. With bouncy, rhyming text, this delightful story is comforting and just right to read aloud at bedtime.
Another favorite storybook for little ones is Where’s Spot, by Eric Hill.
“Where’s Spot?”
“Is he behind the door? Inside the clock? In the piano?”
Little fingers can’t wait to open the flaps in this inviting board book and find Spot, an adorable puppy who hides in clever places. Eric Hill published this number one best-seller in 1980. Today, Spot’s adventures remain popular interactive books for babies and toddlers.
Quality picture books that make children laugh, wriggle, and jiggle and teach them something new every time they open the cover are gems. They are written and illustrated for that purpose. But looking for good baby and toddler books can be overwhelming. There is too much to choose from, so look for these features:
• Bold pictures of a little one’s world
• Sturdy lift-the-flaps
• Simple, short story
• Rhythm and rhyme (that capture your little one’s love for words)
Here’s my list of 10 of the best baby and toddler storybooks. These stories with their familiar themes, playful rhyming words, and stunning artwork will capture your grandchildren’s hearts.
All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Slide and Find by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells
MOO by Matthew Van Fleet, photographed by Brian Stanton
Silly Little Goose by Nacy Tafuri
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Uh-Oh! by Rachel Isadora
Where’s Spot by Eric Hill
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Jan Parish, MEd, (Playful Early Learners) is a nationally-known early childhood development consultant, teacher, author, and parent/grandparent educator.