Looking for some timeless reads for your little ones? Check out our list of children's books that your family will want to read again and again!
As an adult, you likely have routines you go through every day. In the evening, maybe you walk in your door, hang up your coat and bag, and maybe take off your shoes. The concept of repetitive action was taught to you at some point, likely as a small child. Maybe you learned a routine during those early elementary school years as teachers established classroom routines and expectations. Children learn best from repetition, including reading their favorite books over and over. Repetition aids in word recognition, memory development and increased confidence. And since eighty percent of a child’s brain development occurs from ages 0-3, it’s critical to introduce literacy repetition from the very beginning!
The list below includes the books currently on repeat in my home. Enjoy!
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen – concepts over, under, and through
- Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton – repetitive words and rhythm
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – sets a calming, quiet tone for bedtime
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. – colors and animal names
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – counting, food recognition, and days of the week
- Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney – relatable bedtime story with rhyming and rhythm
- Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton – rhyming actions children can act out
- Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker – repetitive words and rhythm
- Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw – sound effects, slapstick rhyming
- Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle – sounds, animal noises, and rhyming
Most of these titles are available in multiple formats and all are available at multiple library locations. AND every time you read a book, even if it’s the same book over and over, it counts toward the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Need help deciding what to read next with your children? Librarians are always willing to share their favorites!
by Dana Bomba, Branch Manager, Chester Library