This is was such a hard collection to put together. When it comes to books, I could come up with a ton of favorites and I certainly plan on posting more in the future. For now, instead of our favorite books, I’ve started with some of our favorite authors, series, and even magazines. These picks should be the jumping off point to lots of great reading time with the kids.
Top Row
Mo Willems books – The humor in Willems’ books make him a favorite of both my husband and I, as well as our kids. You can read our review of Willems as part of MPMK’s Learning to Love Reading Book Lists. Our favorite series include anything with the Pigeon or Elephant and Piggie for humor and, for young toddlers, Cat the Cat.
Herve Tullet books– These modern kid books are outside-of-the box masterpieces. They’re all fantastically inventive and interactive. Our favorite is still the book that put Tullet on the map, Press Here. You can read our review of one of his excellent activity books, Doodle Cook, here.
Cynthia Rylant books– MPMK’s series, Learnig to Love Reading Book Lists (which was written by my cousin currently pursuing a PhD in children’s literature), devoted an entire post just to this prolific author – check it out for the goods on all of her various series. What we really love about her is that, with her numerous picture books, early reader series, and novels, your kids don’t have to outgrow her for a very long time.
Middle Row
Spot books – We check out a Spot book for the two year old nearly every time we hit the library. The other day I noticed a quote from Parents magazine on one of them calling Spot “a quitessential childhood experience”. He certainly has been for my kids.
Dr. Seuss books – I don’t really need to write anything here do I? The staying power of Dr. Suess says it all. We have a much-treasured collection from my husband’s childhood that we read from daily.
National Geographic Little Kids magazine – There’s little more exciting to a kid than getting mail – which makes magazines a great way to get your children interested in reading. This one has been recommended by numerous MPMK readers.
Bottom Row
Sandra Boynton books – If you’re looking for a great author for reading to baby and/or toddlers, Boyton’s it. We started reading Moo, Baa, La La La when my oldest was about 6 months old and we still regularly read her stuff with both our 4 and 2 year old.
Highlights High Five magazine – You can read our full review gushing how much we love this magazine here. Suffice to say our subscription has been the best $3 we spend every month (or will once the subscription for Grandpa runs out).
Eric Carle – Of course, this round up wouldn’t be complete without the beloved Eric Carle. Many of his classics (The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) are staples at our home. I was surprised to find he also has some longer books like The Tiny Seed, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, and Pancakes, Pancakes! that our 4 year old loves.
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