20 Recommended Board Books for toddlers

Bath! Bath! Bath!   by Douglas Florian;  Christiane Engel (illustrator)

"Bath time is fun! fun! fun! in this playful board book! 

The Big Red Barn  by Margaret Wise Brown; Felicia Bond  (illustrator) 

A day in the life of a farm. Simple, colorful illustrations make this book a perfect  introduction to farm animals.  

Blue Hat Green Hat: the Oops Book  by Sandra Boynton 

“Blue hat, green hat, red hat, oops.” Three serious animals and one misguided turkey learn about colors, clothes, and getting dressed in this classic board book. 

The Busy Little Squirrel  by Nancy Tafuri 

Fall  is coming and Squirrel is too busy to stop and play with the other animals. What is he doing that is so important? 

Dear Zoo  by Rod Campbell  

Let’s find the perfect pet by lifting the flaps of this board book to reveal a variety of zoo animals. Interactive fun for young ones!  

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site  by Sherri Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld Construction vehicles, including a crane truck, cement mixer, dump truck, bulldozer, and excavator work hard all day and deserve a rest at night.

Armadillo Antics  by Bill Martin Jr. and  Bill & Michael Sampson; Nathalie Beauvois (illustrator) In rhyming verse, the reader encourages the armadillo to run, leap, dig, eat, and rest during his ighttime play. Bold, collage-like illustrations.

Baby Goes to Market  by Atinuke; Angela Brooksbank (illustrator) Baby and his mama shop at a bustling southwest Nigerian marketplace where Baby gathers a variety of foods, making Mama’s basket very heavy. A bright, bouncy read-aloud providing an introduction to numbers. 

Can You Whoo, Too?  by Harriet Ziefert; Sophie Fatus  (illustrator) This fun, interactive book can be used to teach animal sounds to young preschoolers, yet contains facts about the various animals that older children will enjoy. 

Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business  

by Esphyr Slobodkina A hilarious story of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys will have your child chanting along with the monkeys, “tsz, tsz, tsz”. 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom  by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault; Lois Ehlert (illustrator)

A lively alphabet rhyme in which all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no—Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!  An engaging way to learn the alphabet! 

Clifford, the Big Red Dog  by Norman Bridwell   

Every child wants a pet. Meet Clifford, the biggest, reddest dog ever.  Look for other Clifford books.

Ada Twist, Scientist  by Andrea Beaty; David Roberts (illustrator) Young Ada questions everything, driving her parents crazy. When her experiments go too far, she is banished to time out. Will this curb her curiosity?  

Bee-bim Bop!  By Linda Sue Park; Ho Baek Lee (illustrator)  A young girl can’t wait for her mother to make bee-bim bop, a favorite Korean dish. Join this family (including the cutest dog) as they prepare to eat. Recipe for bee-bim bop included. 

Big  by Vashti Harrison  

For every child who has been ridiculed, this is the story of a girl with a big heart and big dreams. But she soon experiences hurtful words and attitudes. Larger than life, emotionally compelling illustrations. 

 A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin  Little Star loves the mooncakes she bakes with her mother. What happens when she can’t resist a nibble? A beautiful illustration of the moon's phases. 

Blackout  by John Rocco  

On a hot summer night, the electricity goes out across the city. A young boy and his family find ways to pass the time and find enjoyment in simple pleasures. This book encourages families to take time to enjoy each other.  

The Book with No Pictures  by B.J. Novak   This book has no pictures, but it does have super fun words on each page that will have everyone giggling. The person reading must read every word, no matter how silly. Kids will love having parents read this one! 

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish; 

Fritz Siebel (illustrator) Amelia becomes the housekeeper for a new family. When she attempts the chores on her list, the results are hilarious! Check out the rest of the series. 

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman 

A young bird goes looking for his mother. How will he ever find her? The repetitive nature of the text makes this a great book for new readers. 

Cam Jansen: The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds  by David A Adler; Susanna Natti (illustrator) Jennifer (aka “Cam”) Jansen has a photographic memory. Can she use her special skill to help catch jewel thieves? This series is a wonderful way to move young readers into chapter books.

Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type 

(Easy Reader edition) by Doreen Cronin; Betsy Lewin (illustrator) Farmer Brown’s cows have learned to type and they are giving ultimatums. A humorous tale of demands. 

Cornbread and Poppy by Matthew Cordell  Cornbread and Poppy are mice who couldn’t be more different. Cornbread likes to plan and Poppy likes to play. As winter approaches, Poppy isn’t ready so Cornbread volunteers to help gather food. Along the way, they encounter new (and old) friends. First book of the series.

Fox the Tiger   by Corey Tabor 

Fox wants to be a tiger because they are big, fast, and sneaky. In his tiger disguise, he meets friends who join him in pretending. But Squirrel helps him realize that being a fox is best. 

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look; LeUyen Pham (Illustrator). Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything. In fact, he is so afraid of school that he doesn’t speak during class. Can he overcome his fears with the help of his family? Alvin is a character many children will find relatable. 

Because of Winn-Dixie  by Kate DiCamillo 

One summer day, 10-year-old India Opal Buloni goes to the local supermarket for some groceries and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends and finds the courage to ask important questions. 

Catwings   by Ursula K. Le Guin; 

S.D. Schindler (illustrator) Four tabby kittens are born with wings, which allows them to leave the dangerous city. But they find that country life has its own challenges.  These winged cats will capture the imagination of children.  First book in the series.  

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau   he city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. Can Lina and her friend, Doon, find a way to save the city? First in the Book of Ember series.

The Courage of Sarah Noble  by Alice Dalgliesh   In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. “Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble,” her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy with wild animals and Indians nearby. A true and timeless story of early American life.  

Esperanza Rising  by Pam Munoz Ryan 

An inspiring immigration tale set in the 1930s about a wealthy young girl who is forced to flee Mexico with her mother after her father's death. When her mother becomes ill, Esperanza must find a way to take care of her and earn money to live. 

Away by Megan E. Freeman 

When families across Colorado are forced to leave their homes due to an unnamed danger, a diverse group of kids find themselves in the same evacuation camp. They grow suspicious about the “threat” and begin investigating. Is the danger real or does someone have an agenda? 

Bud, Not Buddy  by Christopher Paul Curtis It’s 1936, in Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard but orphaned ten-year-old Bud is on a search for the father he's never known.  He has all he needs in his suitcase, including a concert poster of Herman E. Calloway, and there is absolutely nothing that can stop him. 

The Crossover   by Kwame Alexander Using imagery and verse, the author shares the experiences of 13-year-old twin brothers who share a passion for basketball and a love of family. Josh and Jordan learn that breaking the rules can have lasting results. The climax will change their family forever. 

Dear Mr. Henshaw  by Beverly Cleary  When his parents separate, 6th-grader Leigh Botts and his mother move to a new town. Struggling to make friends and deal with his anger, Leigh focuses on a class assignment to write to his favorite author. When Mr. Henshaw responds, the two form an unexpected friendship that will change Leigh’s life forever.  

The Egypt Game   by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.    Two very different girls become friends, sharing a common interest in everything Egyptian. When they turn an abandoned area into a place to put their imaginations to work, strange things begin to happen. 

The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers   Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to oversee the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient bison.  When threats arise, Johannes and his friends embark on a quest to free the bison. 

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night  by Joyce Sidman; Rick Allen (illustrator).  A combination of poetry about nighttime, elaborate illustrations, and facts about the subjects of each poem, including night-spiders, primrose moths, and baby porcupettes. (for ages 8-12)

Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart by Mary Ann Hoberman; Michael Emberley (illustrator) In addition to traditional (and not so traditional) poems around themes 

such as Beautiful Beasts, Delicious Dishes, and the Strange and Mysterious, Mary Ann Hoberman shares tips and tools for memorization and recitation. (for ages 8-12)

 Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry compiled by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters; Polly Dunbar (illustrator).  With light-hearted poems and vivid illustrations, this first poetry book should be in every preschool home. (for ages 1-4)

If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems by Brian C Cleary; Andy Rowland (illustrator) Two forms of Japanese poetry are described with entertaining examples provided. Children will be inspired to create their own poems. (for ages 7-10)

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices  by Paul Fleischman; Eric Beddows (illustrator).  This is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. When read by two people, this is truly a unique poetic experience.  (for ages 8-12)

My Dog May Be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky  In this collection of silly poems, the reader will encounter an underwater marching band and a pig in a bathing suit,  will sit with a skunk in a courtroom, and converse with a Bupple. What more could you want?  (for ages 5-8)

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat  On June 23, 2018, 12 boys and their soccer coach entered a cave in northern Thailand and became trapped one-half mile underground. Seventeen days later, with the entire world watching, they were rescued. Includes personal information about the boys and rescuers, as well as many photos. (for ages 10-17)

Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail  A young girl's love of nature and drawing is encouraged when she is given her mother’s box of paints. The animals she painted became characters in stories, with the most famous being Peter Rabbit. (for ages 4-8)

Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares  

At the age of 7, George Herman Ruth was sent to live at Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in Baltimore. There, he learned to play baseball and played in the major league. Nicknamed “Babe”, Ruth became world-famous. But the boys at Saint Mary’s were always in his heart.  (for ages 6-10)

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear   by Lindsay Mattick; Sophie Blackall (illustrator)  In 1914, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I rescued a bear cub and named her after his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada. The amazing and true story of Winnie the Pooh!  (for ages 6-10)

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine; Kadir Nelson (illustrator) The stirring, dramatic story of Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom in a crate through the Underground Railroad. (for ages 6-10)

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Sousafzai and Patricia McCormick On October 9, 2012, a young girl in Pakistan was shot in the head by the Taliban while riding the bus home from school. She survived and became an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. (for ages 10-17)