Parenting can be a daunting task. There’s a lot to consider in making sure that your kids develop in the best way possible.
It’s no secret that reading is one of the best things you can do for your child. For starters, reading to your kid, even at a young age, is good for their brain development. It prepares your children to learn languages and learning skills early on.
And when reading becomes a regular activity at home, it strengthens the bond between you and your child. The love for reading that you’ll foster in them early on will surely be a treasure they’ll cherish for life.
Best Board Books for Children
Board books are one of the best ways to get kids interested in reading at an early age. They’re made from thick paperboard that can withstand significant damage—because let’s face it, children aren’t always the daintiest creatures. Below is a list of the best board books you can share with your children.
1. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Reading age: 4-8 years
Even if your love language isn’t physical touch, hugging is still one of the best things in the world. This feel-good picture book about hugging is super cute but also hilarious! The little boy in the book just wants to hug everything. Even a mailbox.
2. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Reading age: 4-8 years
There’s something about the title that gets kids giggling, and it is pretty fun to say. This best-selling book is a great way to teach your kids the alphabet. The story starts with all the lowercase letters going up a coconut tree, only to get rescued by the capital letters.
3. How to Be a Cat by Nikki McClure
Reading age: 3-6 years
This one’s a black-and-white book with a bit more narrative. A kitten tries to learn the basics of feline behavior—how to stretch, pounce, and groom itself. Sometimes it succeeds, sometimes it fails. It’s a great book for teaching your kids the value of learning.
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Reading age: infant – 3 years
This classic picture book follows the titular very hungry caterpillar, who eats his way through a lot of food before pupating and turning into a butterfly. Throughout the story, children can easily learn colors, food names, and nature’s process.
5. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee
Reading age: 2-5 years
This book follows a group of family and friends through the course of an entire day. Simple yet poignant, it teaches how everything, big or small, is connected.
6. Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman
Reading age: 2-5 years
Have you noticed how kids don’t like underwear? They pull at them, dump them around the house, and generally make a fuss. The rhyming, unexpected pictures of vegetables wearing underwear in this book, and the silliness of it all will encourage your kids to finally tolerate wearing tighty-whities.
7. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Reading age: infant – 4 years
Another classic, this bedtime story follows a bunny’s ritual of saying good night to various objects in the room. It’s a perfect book to read aloud as you tuck your toddler in bed.
8. Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Reading age: 3-8 years
This book is gold! Farmer Brown’s cows are sick from the cold, so they type up a letter demanding electric blankets. When their demands aren’t met, they get the chickens involved too! A bunch of literate cows are standing up for what they believe in, which I think is a pretty good lesson for kids.
9. Dinosaur Dance! By Sandra Boynton
Reading age: 1-5 years
These cute dancing dinosaurs go zomp and bomp to the beat. Whether they’re dancing the Cha-Cha-Cha or freestyling, your kids are sure to giggle at this silly, yet fun book— and maybe start dancing themselves.
10. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
Reading age: 1-3 years old
Your little one’s going to need to learn how to read soon, and this book is a great way to start. 100 words are paired with colorful images to help them learn the basics.
11. My Friends by Taro Gomi
Reading age: baby- 3 years
A little girl learns to walk, climb, and do a variety of other things from her friends, who are mostly animals. The repetitive structure of the sentences really drives the book’s point about friendship and makes it easier for kids to remember.
12. Besos for Baby by Jen Arena, Illustrated by Blanca Gomez
Reading age: infant – 3 years
What parent doesn’t like showering affection on their kids? This cute, bilingual storyline and its equally cute illustrations will make you want to plant kisses on your own child.
13. Where’s the Astronaut? by Nosy Crow, Illustrated by Ingela Arrhenius
Reading age: infant – 2 years
This interactive children’s book combines two things that children will surely love: space and hide-and-seek. They’ll need to hunt for aliens behind flaps on the pages. It’s an easy and fun exercise sure to get your baby’s attention.
14. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Reading age: 4-8 years
This iconic story is probably the most famous on this list. It follows Max, who causes mayhem in the house. His mother sends him to bed, where he sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things. It’s a great read that will teach your kids the power of imagination.
15. I am Strong by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
Reading age: 2-5 years
This cute little book teaches kids about the traits that make people heroes, something to aspire to as they grow up. In particular, it focuses on Rosa Parks, an activist who ignited a civil rights movement. Factual tidbits and interactive elements are scattered throughout the book for a better reading experience.
Why Use Board Books?
It takes time for a child to appreciate books. They’ll throw them across the room, slobber and draw on the pages, and batter them in any way imaginable. Hey, they’re kids! What do you expect?
Board books are a godsend. You no longer need to buy books regularly or wrap them in plastic or whatever. These things can take a beating. At least until your child grows out of their destructive phase.
Though I’ve added reading ages in the list, you don’t have to strictly follow them. A child’s development can vary wildly. What one kid finds difficult to read can be easy for another. Trust your judgment on what books your kid will benefit best from.
Does your kid have a favorite board book? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
