Favorite family books for young kids

Reading to your kids is one of the best things you can do for them. Most kids love to be read to, and it’s great for parent and child bonding. Beyond this, there are a plethora of benefits – cognitive, emotional, social, and more – that further reinforce the importance of reading to your kids.

Read books to your kids from the beginning

Ever since my kids were babies, I have tried to read to them frequently. It didn’t seem like they paid much attention to the books when they were younger, and at certain stages, they wouldn’t even sit on my lap to listen through a book. But I continued to read. Even if they were across the room playing with something else, I continued to read knowing they were still absorbing it. 

Different types of books are more beneficial than others at certain stages. For example, high-contrast books are best for young babies, the Indestructibles series are great for during teething, lift-a-flap books around one year old and up, and board books, in general, are the most sturdy option for young kids.

We read before bed every night. And I try to always say “yes” when they ask me to read them a book. It doesn’t necessarily happen right at that exact moment, but I try to prioritize reading whenever they initiate or at least make a promise for a later read. If they’re in a bad mood, I like to gather a big stack of books, get cozy, and read together. This seems to turn the day around.

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Be an example, a reader

I’ve always been a big reader, and still love to read today. Growing up, I used to stay up way too late huddled in bed with a mini reading light finishing book after book. Fast forward to today, same deal but my light is built-in to my Kindle.

Even if you’re not an avid reader, you can still be an example to your kids. I try to make sure they see me reading for myself, not only to them, to show it’s an enjoyable and beneficial activity. Also, make sure to read signs, instructions…anything you come across out loud with your kids. This way they’ll make the connection that reading skills are necessary in order to read things all around them in daily life, not only books.

How to encourage more frequent reading in your young kids

We have piles of books all over our house – in the living room, playroom, bedrooms, cars, kitchen, everywhere. They get to be a mess, but I don’t mind. I’d prefer to have books here, there, and everywhere to encourage more frequent reading.

Usually, if I need to distract the kids for some reason or another, I start with books. Whether we’re at doctor’s appointments, on a long car ride, or waiting at a restaurant, my first go-to distraction technique is books.

Both for myself and my kids, I try to choose books that we’ll enjoy. I don’t try to force any agenda about what “should be” the best books for them at a certain age, or what they “should” like. There will be enough time for required reading in school as they get older. Simply by exposing them to a variety of books, they will learn. To encourage a love for reading, I think making sure they have books about whatever they’re interested in is important. 

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Best of our favorite family books for young kids

There are countless great books out there to enjoy with your little ones, but if you need any inspiration or suggestions, I’ve gathered up 50 books that have been read again and again, and again in our home. Here are some of our favorite family books for young kids, best for babies to preschoolers.

1. Amazing Machines (set) 
2. Babies in the Forest Chunky Lift-a-Flap 
3. Baby Beluga 
4. Baby Night-Night 
5. Blue Hat, Green Hat 
6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? 
7. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 
8. ¡Cu-Cú, Bebé! 
9. Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book 
10. First 100 Trucks: And Things That Go 
11. First 100 Words 
12. Good Night California 
13. Good Night Seattle 
14. Harry the Dirty Dog 
15. Hello Ninja 
16. How to Catch a Dragon 
17. I Am a Garbage Truck 
18. If I were a…
19. If You Give a Moose a Muffin 
20. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie 
21. Indestructibles: Baby Faces  
22. It’s Time to Sleep, My Love 
23. Lift-the-Flap Tab: Farm 
24. Lift-the-Flap Tab: Trucks 
25. Little Blue Truck 
26. Little Owl’s Night 
27. Llama Llama Red Pajama 
28. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express 
29. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Trip 
30. Moo Baa La La La 
31. My Big Train Book 
32. My Dad Loves Me! 
33. Nature Friends Lift-a-Flap (set) 
34. Night-Night, Little Pookie 
35. Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! 
36. PAW Patrol Big Lift-and-Look Board Book 
37. Potty 
38. Sesame Street Ready, Set, Brush! A Pop-Up Book 
39. Smile! 
40. The Boss Baby 
41. The Ear Book 
42. The Going-To-Bed Book 
43. The Goodnight Train 
44. The Pout-Pout Fish 
45. The Very Hungry Caterpillar 
46. There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! 
47. Trains 
48. Treasure Hunt 
49. Where’s Spot? 
50. You Are My Sunshine 

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