Top Ten Best Children's Books for Mommy and Daddy to Read to Baby or Toddler before Bedtime (or anytime!)
Phil's Top Ten Baby and Children's Books for bedtime or anytime reading
Ever since Phil was born, his daddy and I read books to him and talked to him everyday. Around three months old, Phil showed signs of recognizing the books that I read to him the most. He smiled at colorful pages and funny sounding words. His favorite book of all time is:
1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle: It's such a cute and colorful book with easy to remember content that rhymes. It's a timeless classic that I had read as a child myself. Buy the board book version because your little bookworms will destroy paperbacks and hardcovers in no time.
Phil's other favorite books are:
2. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch: Well, this one is a favorite of mine. Some parents may say that this book is a bit creepy. To me, it rings so true. My mother (Phil's granny) is just like the mother in this book (save for the stalkerish behavior of climbing up a ladder to rock an adult son to sleep part). As parents, we absolutely will love our babies and children forever. Prepare to cry when you read this book for the first time to your baby. The author, by the way, wrote this book after going through a very heart-wrenching loss.
3. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney: This is a daddy and baby must-read. Beautiful illustrations along with a lovely story featuring Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare!
4. Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman: Your little ones will squeal with excitement and root for the little bird who never gives up on finding it's mother. Few words, easy to read, fun pictures-- a must have for any child's library!
Other amazing books that we love:
6. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
7. Baby Touch and Feel Animals
8. It's Time to Sleep My Love by Nancy Tillman and Eric Metaxas
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
10. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
Many of these board books are under five dollars and will provide you with years of reading delight. They will grow your children's love for reading, their creativity, and imaginations. Plus, reading together is a very bonding experience and babies who are read to have larger vocabularies and amazing verbal skills! We recommend that you buy board books as they will last through wear and tear, drool, and other types of baby destruction.
So, what are some of your favorite books? What to you read together with your little ones?
