Best Books for Babies 2025
The Best Books for Babies Committee has been meeting annually since 2000 to select and celebrate excellent books for the very youngest listeners. We’ve learned a lot about early … Continued
Translations of Love
Love is what makes the world go round – there is no better way to celebrate it than reading all about it with loved ones! This booklist highlights the ways love is translated across different languages and dialects, offering new ways to express care. When children and caregivers read together, empathy can grow, and hearts can open to the world beyond the book!
Counting
Counting is a fundamental concept in childhood which supports early literacy skills. Building strong early literacy skills helps your child when it comes time for them to learn how to read. Check out these titles one by one to learn about counting. And remember, you can ask your local librarian for personalized suggestions anytime.
Community and Things That Go!
Help is abundant. The people and inventions (like fire hydrants!) in our communities and the vehicles that help us get around truly make all the difference. Talk with your child … Continued
Onomatopoeiamania
Zap! Squeak! Vroom! Words that name the sound they make, or onomatopoeia, are great for building phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is being able to hear the smaller sounds that make up words and it’s an important early literacy skill. The books on this list have a lot of fun examples of onomatopoeia to share with your children.
Books with a Beat
Sometimes sharing stories can feel like a chore, especially if the kids you hope will listen are feeling wiggly. And it’s perfectly fine to set a book aside for another time. (Remember, reading is supposed to be fun—not work.)
But sometimes, the right book, filled with rhythm, rhyme and movement, can capture kids’ attention and channel their energy, turning story time into a wonderful experience for reader and listener alike. If amping up the action sounds good to you, consider checking out one of the titles below to start bopping along. But be warned—these probably aren’t the best picks for bedtime.
Butterflies, Beetles and Bugs, Oh My!
Fascinating creatures are all around us. You don’t need to go to the zoo or even the park to learn more about wildlife. Insects, arthropods and all sorts of small creepy crawlies can be found right in your own backyard. Check out this list to grab a guide or savor a story. And remember, you can ask your local librarian for personalized suggestions, buggy or otherwise, any time.
Kids Just Wanna Have Fun
Whether it’s a celebratory party, a community get-together, a dance performance or a concert, appreciating others’ talents (or exploring your own) can be a wonderful experience. Celebrations of all sorts take center stage in this booklist. Check them out—and enjoy as many encores as you like.
Best Books for Babies 2024
The Best Books for Babies Committee has been meeting annually since 2000 to select and celebrate excellent books for the very youngest listeners. That makes this the 25th list … Continued
The Joy of Discovery
One of the pleasures of spending time with young children is the opportunity to see the wonders of our world (large and small) through their eyes. We grownups can forget sometimes how amazing our everyday experiences really are, so we’re lucky to have the opportunity to be reminded to look, question and experiment. Check out the booklist below to get started on your own investigations.