From the time my son was born, I read to him daily. Even when he was a colicky infant, there was something that seemed to soothe him when I read The Cat in The Hat. Reading was challenging between 9-15 months when he went through a stage where he seemed more interested in tugging and pulling the books than listening to the content so we relied heavily on board books or less expensive paperback versions. During this time Id often read aloud classics in young readers literature, such as Beverly Cleary books while he played in a room. Sure he probably didnt understand the story, but he was hearing me sound out words and my voice was a comfort to him.

During his terrible twos, being read to was one way that he would consistently calm down, sit on my lap and cuddle with me for 15-45 minutes. I relished this as my baby was growing up and excuses for cuddles and hugging became less frequent. Now, during his preschool years he loves picture books. He will set for as long as I am willing and listen to stories, actively participate in the books by telling me what is going to happen next, and enjoys choosing his own books at the library. Ive found reading at any age is beneficial for a child. I also believe as parents we should set examples by reading often ourselves. Ive put together the following list of books that weve been reading and my son loves. Many of them are classics that I believe should be part of every childs library. However, if you dont have the space or the money for all of these books, try them out via a trip to the local library. Enjoy!

• Wiggle Waggle by Jonathan London
• Olivia by Ian falconer
• Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
• Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae
• David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
• Yummy Yucky by Leslie Patricelli
• Marsupial Sue by John Lithgow
• A Sock is A Pocket for your Toes by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon
• The Peace Book by Todd Parr
• Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
• The Napping House by Audrey Wood
• Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
• Curious George by H. A. Rey
• The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
• Cars, Trucks, and Things that Go by Richard Scarry
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
• Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman
• Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberely
• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
• Freight Train by Donald Crews
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Abuela by Arthur Dorros
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
• Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
• Guess How much I love you by Sam McBratney
• The Snowy Day by Jack Keats
• Whose Mouse are You? by Robert Kraus
• Pinkerton, Behave! By Steven Kellogg
• The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
• Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
• Over in the Meadow by John Langstaff
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin
• Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom by Bill Martin
• My First Little House Books (the whole series is great)
• Snappy pop-up books (series)
• Little Golden Books (series)