Have you heard of the million word gap? Ohio State University did a study on the importance of reading with young children and found that those that are read to daily could hear 1.4 million more words than children who were not read to. The numbers vary based on number of books read per day.
The exposure to words is only the beginning. These students are also a lot more likely to have success with learning to read, other reading skills, writing their name early, etc.
So, we know the importance of reading and the positive impacts it will have on our children later on in elementary school (and beyond). But we also know, toddlers are BUSY. I don’t know about you, but I have a walking/running/climbing 18 month old. She doesn’t want to sit still for a whole story. However, we have found some books that she LOVES and actually begs to read. They are engaging and interactive, and I’d like to share the list with you and your toddler! I hope yours enjoys these books as much as mine!
[Or, maybe you are shopping for a baby shower gift, birthday gift, or gifts for the upcoming holidays for the baby/toddler in your life!]
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- Pop-Up Peekaboo! Baby Animals – there are so many of these Pop-Up Peekaboo! books, but we love the baby animals one! I know you may be thinking it’s a little risky to give a pop-up book to a toddler, but these are surprisingly sturdy! (and easy to tape when your little one gets a little excited!). If baby animals aren’t your thing, there’s also: a great bedtime option, farm animals – I need to get this one, ocean animals – we also have this one and love it!, pets – I should get this one too, and a great Christmas option if you’re prepping your holiday books!
- This Lift the Flap is felt and therefore durable and perfect for your little one to do independently (I also love using it in the car). Simple sentences and repetitive. We have Where’s the Dog? but also need to add this cat one to our rotation!
- Peekaboo Lion – this line also has several other versions – Peekaboo Farm, Peekaboo Sun, etc. These books are fun because they have slide pages, pull out tabs, and mirrors.
- Baby Touch: I Love You We love this one. The rhythm, the simple illustrations and bright colors. It has touch & feel elements and asks baby to touch specific pictures. Super interactive! This is a favorite in our home. We also have Baby Touch: Night Night which is also our favorite for the same reasons!
- First Words books These books are great for teaching your little one to talk and also recognize everyday objects. My little one points to pictures and asks us to identify them, or we point and ask her what it is, or ask her to point to certain objects! This one also comes in lots of fun themes – I’m going to make sure to scoop this Christmas one!
- These little boxed sets are great for on the go as well! I keep them in the diaper bag, in the car, in the stroller, even in the cupholder of the car seat! Here is another option.
- Ok hear me out, because this is the most expensive book on the list. DOG is totally worth it though, in my opinion, if you have a dog or a dog obsessed toddler like me! It is SO cute, so interactive with touch & feel pages and pull tabs. If cats are more your thing, there is also a cat option.
- “Where is Baby’s” series. We love beach ball, pumpkin, Easter Eggs, and plan to get Christmas present, and puppy. More awesome lift the flap books!
- Babies Love: Colors. This is a small lift the flap book but the flaps are the same sturdy board as the pages. This is another book with a nice rhythm, and themes. We also have the Halloween one.
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear – what a classic! Rhythmic and predictable. Toddlers and kids of all ages love this one!
- A couple simple touch & feel books are always a must-have. We like this farm one, and first words. There are so many of these, take your pick!
- I like to have specific bedtime books. Bedtime Bear is a favorite for this. I love that it’s a bit of a storyline but not too long, and touch and feel.
- You’re My Little Baby is a very sweet story, it includes touch & feel elements, a lift flap, and a mirror. This book has rhymes and rhythm. This doesn’t have to be a bedtime book, but I like to use it as one.
I know this is a very extensive list – I’m sorry, it’s the teacher in me. I just LOVE children’s books. 🙂 Hopefully you and your toddler will find some you love, too!